Romans 3:20

Translations

Modern

Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Traditional

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Literal

Therefore by works of the law, not any flesh will be justified before Him; for through the law is knowledge of sin.

Latin

…quia ex operibus legis non justificabitur omnis caro coram illo. Per legem enim cognitio peccati.

Original

Greek

English

Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Notes

Romans 3:20

by works of the law: This means obeying the rules given by Moses, the prophet and leader of Israel. While this phrase refers to Jews, the principle extends to all people. If Jews cannot be put in right relationship with God by obeying the law God gave them, certainly other people cannot establish such a relationship through good deeds.

Romans 1:18–3:20

Paul waits to explain righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until he first teaches about the sinfulness of all people. Both non-Jews and Jews are equally under the power of sin (1:18–32; 2:1–3:8). Because of this, both groups are in the same situation before God. No one can gain God’s favor by their own actions or obedience (3:9–20). All people need God’s saving action, not their own efforts.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Biblical Law Community Responsibility: Achan’s Sin Natural Revelation Sin Enters the World The Limitations of Law

Related verses

Galatians 2:16
…know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Acts 13:39
Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Galatians 2:19
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.
Romans 4:15
…because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
Romans 9:32
Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Romans 5:20
The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Galatians 3:10–13
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Romans 7:7–9
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
Psalm 143:2
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.
Ephesians 2:8–9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Romans 3:20

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