577. 'And the stroke of his death was healed' signifies the healing of that head of doctrine by these [reasonings], that no one can do a good work from himself and fulfil the law, and that on account of this there has been another means of salvation provided in place of it, which is faith in the justice and merit of Christ, who suffered for men and thereby lay under the damnation of the law. 'that this is a healing of' the wounded head', and has also been applied, is known, when by 'the wounded head' is understood that which precedes (n. 576); and therefore there is no need for it to be expounded further.