No — Paul plainly states that no flesh is justified by the deeds of the law.
In Romans 3:20, Paul writes that by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified, because the law gives the knowledge of sin. He then shows in the following verses that righteousness and justification come apart from the law, through faith in Jesus Christ and by God's grace.
Romans 3:20 — Paul's direct answer: by the deeds of the law no flesh is justified, for the law brings knowledge of sin.
In Romans 3:20, Paul declares, "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." The law does not justify; it reveals sin. Then in verse 21 he pivots: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets." Verse 22 explains that this righteousness is "by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." Verse 23 adds that all have sinned, and verse 24 says believers are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
Les Feldick teaches that Romans 3:20 means no one can be saved or justified by keeping the Mosaic Law, which only makes everyone guilty and gives the knowledge of sin. He stresses that the law could not help a person obey it and could only condemn — "guilty, guilty, guilty." The phrase "but now" in verse 21 introduces the flip side: although the law cannot save, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. Les emphasizes that this righteousness is by the faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe, plus nothing. He also teaches that justification is God's judicial decree, so that when someone believes the gospel, God declares them righteous and restores them as Adam was before the fall.
Les Feldick points out that the law makes everyone guilty before God. Since the law gives the knowledge of sin, keeping it cannot justify anyone. As he says, the law could do nothing to help a person keep it or stop sinning; all it can do is condemn.
After saying the law cannot save, Paul writes "but now." Les explains this is the flip side: the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, witnessed by the law and the prophets. This righteousness does not come by law-keeping or by being religious, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.
Paul says we are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Les emphasizes there is no difference between Jew and Greek — all have sinned — and this righteousness is upon all who believe, plus nothing. He describes justification as a judicial decree of God, restoring believers as Adam was before the fall.
What Paul Teaches That You Won't Find in the Gospels
respond, the whole body will function, but it all has its headquarters up here. Now Paul is using that as an illustration of the Body of Christ, which is a new term. Again you won�t find that back in the Gospels. You never have Jesus referred to the Body of Christ, it�s a Pauline revelation. Now what does it say? Verse 12. I Corinthians 12.
Law cannot save; 'but now' introduces what does.
Les explains that Romans 3:20 means no flesh is justified by the law, and verse 21's 'but now' points to the provision that does save.
Righteousness without the law, witnessed by the law and prophets.
Les emphasizes that this righteousness is by faith of Jesus Christ, 'plus nothing', and that nothing flies in the face of previous Scripture.
No difference between Jew and Greek; all have sinned.
Les connects the righteousness by faith with the truth that Jew and Greek are the same before God, all have sinned, and justification is by grace.
Not by law-keeping, but by faith.
Les contrasts law-keeping and religion with the faith of Jesus Christ, stressing belief plus nothing.
Justification by judicial decree.
Les teaches justification is God's judicial decree, restoring believers as Adam was before the fall.
Law makes everyone guilty.
Les shows the law makes everyone guilty, so by keeping the law no one is justified; the law gives knowledge of sin.
Law can only condemn.
Les explains that the law cannot help anyone obey it; it only condemns, and 'by the deeds of the law' means doing what the law commanded.
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.
Paul's direct statement that law-keeping cannot justify anyone.
Romans 3:21: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Paul's contrast introduces a righteousness apart from law.
Romans 3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
This righteousness comes through faith in Christ to all who believe.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Explains why all need justification.
Romans 3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Justification is by grace through Christ's redemption.
No. Paul writes in Romans 3:20 that by the deeds of the law no flesh is justified. The law gives the knowledge of sin rather than salvation.
The law makes everyone guilty and gives the knowledge of sin. It cannot justify a person or help them keep it; all it can do is condemn.
Paul says we are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. This righteousness is by faith of Jesus Christ, upon all who believe, plus nothing.
Watch the Teaching: What Paul Teaches That You Won't Find in the Gospels