What does the Law (the Ten Commandments) actually accomplish according to Romans 3:20?
According to Romans 3:20, the Law—the Ten Commandments—cannot justify anyone in God's sight. Instead, it accomplishes only the knowledge or understanding of sin, showing that sin is breaking the Ten Commandments. Righteousness comes without the Law and has no part in salvation.
Les explains that the Ten Commandments are beautiful and perfect, but by them no flesh is justified in God's sight. The Law's actual accomplishment is to give the knowledge or understanding of sin—sin is breaking the Ten Commandments. Then Romans 3:21 introduces something totally different: the righteousness of God without the Law. Les stresses, "Leave it out. It has no part in your salvation." This righteousness is witnessed by the Law and the prophets. Paul was not an imposter with a watered-down product; he came with the truth of the Gospel, which the world hates because it wants to work for it and take pride in its accomplishments—and God hates pride. Everything builds on what came before: the Law, the prophets, and Christ's life, bringing us to His death, burial, and resurrection.
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.
More Questions
What does the law give us according to Romans 3:20?
By the law comes the knowledge of sin; that is the law's role when it cannot save or justify.
What does "deeds of the law" mean in Romans 3:20?
The "deeds of the law" refers to the keeping of the Ten Commandments.
What does Romans 3:20 teach that the law gives us?
By the law, verse 20, means the knowledge or understanding of our old Adam; this is the knowledge of sin, and the law is the only place where that knowledge is found.