Romans 3:20
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.
Study Note
Study Note
The conclusion of Paul's extensive indictment of all humanity — 'by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin' — draws on Psalm 143:2 and redefines the function of the Mosaic law. The law does not justify; it illuminates the problem by revealing the gap between divine standard and human reality. This is not a statement against the law's goodness (Romans 7:12 affirms the law is holy, righteous, and good) but against the law's justificatory function. Galatians 3:19-24 develops the same argument: the law functions as a pedagogue leading to Christ, not as the means of achieving right standing with God. The verse establishes the necessity of the 'righteousness of God' disclosed in 3:21-26 as the only alternative to works-based justification.
Other Translations
because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
wherefore by works of law shall no flesh be declared righteous before Him, for through law is a knowledge of sin.
Because 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.
Cross References
Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.
If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the …
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, …
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.