Romans 3:20
What does Romans 3:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 3:20 means
No human being will be declared righteous before God by doing the works the law commands. The law reveals sin; it does not remove it. It functions like a mirror, showing the grime but providing no cleansing. This is not a slight against the law but a statement of its design. The standard is holy and good, but sinners cannot meet it to gain justification. Therefore, relying on law-keeping for acceptance with God is futile. The knowledge of sin that the law brings is a gracious step if it drives us to seek a righteousness we do not possess, one that God must provide apart from our own performance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because by the works of the law no man is able to have righteousness in his eyes, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wherefore by works of law shall no flesh be declared righteous before Him, for through law is a knowledge of sin.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before him. For by the law is the knowledge of sin.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wherefore by works of law no flesh shall be justified before him; for by law [is] knowledge of sin.
Context
Verse 20 completes Paul’s explanation of the law’s function: it cannot justify, but it exposes sin. With all boasting silenced and self-reliance dismantled (verses 19–20), Paul is ready to announce the turning point in salvation history in verse 21: God’s righteousness manifested apart from the law, though witnessed by the law and the prophets. The following verses (22–26) will explain that this righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, because all have sinned and need redemption. Christ’s blood is presented as the propitiatory sacrifice that satisfies divine justice, so God remains just while justifying the one who has faith in Jesus.
v.19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:
v.20This passage
v.21But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 7:7
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:
- Romans 2:13
for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified;
- Romans 9:32
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;
- James 2:9
but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
- Romans 3:28
We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
- Psalms 130:3
If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
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