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Romans 3:19–20
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20).
In our studies this week, we have seen Paul using words out of the Old Testament Scriptures to cap his argument about the corruption of man, the point he has been driving home since beginning his presentation of the Gospel message in Romans 1:18. These God-breathed words have said it all: “ ‘There is none righteous, no, not one.’ ” But as Paul now explains, he did not turn to “the law” (the Old Testament) out of mere convenience. On the contrary, he used the law of God for its true purpose—to reveal the truth about God and man, and thereby to invalidate all possibility of human excuse for sin.
The law, Paul says, speaks “to those who are under the law.” In other words, the Scriptures are revelation from God to anyone who possesses them, particularly the Jews. God gives this revelation to accomplish at least two ends: “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” What is Paul saying here? First, he is telling us that the Scriptures make clear that we all justly deserve God’s wrath and judgment, and in doing so they deprive us of all grounds for boasting and all possibility of excuse at the bar of God’s justice. A sinner seeing and truly comprehending what the law says must necessarily fall silent, for God’s assertions cannot be disputed. Of course, few sinners bother to read the Scriptures, and many who do twist their meaning. Thus, their boasting goes on until they receive judgment from the Judge Himself. Second, the Scriptures are designed to, in essence, put us on a guilt trip. God did not give His law to show men how to live so as to be saved, for Paul forcefully affirms that “by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified.” Rather, the law is given to impart “the knowledge of sin.” It is a mirror, revealing to us our hatred of God and rebellion against Him. This knowledge of our guilt before God should, in turn, drive us to Christ, the only hope of salvation for sinful men and women.
Dr. James M. Boice sums up the thrust of Paul’s argument this way: “At God’s judgment no one will be able to offer any good works as grounds for his or her justification or proffer any valid excuses for bad conduct. All mouths will be made mute, and everyone will know that he or she is guilty and deserves God’s just condemnation.” They will have been silenced by the truth of God.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Obedience to God’s law is important—but it cannot save. The law is simply a measuring stick to show us how far short we fall. Take time today to read through the summary of the law, the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20), and Jesus’ teaching on the law (Matt. 5). Let the Scriptures puncture your pride, then go to God in repentance.
for further study
- 1 Samuel 2:9
- Zephaniah 1:7
- Romans 7:7
- James 1:22–25