The law's purpose is to give the knowledge of sin and to condemn every person, not to justify or save anyone.
Romans 3:20 states clearly that by the deeds of the law no flesh can be justified; the law only brings the knowledge of sin. Les Feldick emphasizes that the law was never intended to save anyone, Jew or Gentile. It was given to show all mankind that they are guilty lawbreakers before a holy God.
Romans 3:19 — Declares that the law stops every mouth and makes the whole world guilty before God.
Romans 3:20 — Directly answers the question by saying no flesh is justified by the law and the law gives the knowledge of sin.
In Romans 3:19-20 the Bible gives a direct answer: 'Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 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 was not given to make anyone righteous; it was given to reveal sin. Romans 5:20 says, 'Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.' The entry of the written law made man's offense evident and unmistakable. Romans 7:12 and 7:14 still call the law holy, just, good and spiritual, while declaring the individual carnal and sold under sin. Romans 6:14 draws the practical line between the two systems: 'For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.' The law's purpose is condemnation; grace is what frees the believer from sin's dominion.
Les Feldick teaches that the law was given for one purpose only: to condemn mankind and show that everyone is a sinner and lawbreaker. In Romans 3, he points out that all the world becomes guilty, and the law had nothing in it to save; by the law is the knowledge of sin (Clip 1). The law shows what old Adam is really made of by revealing that everything he does is contrary to the will of a holy God (Clip 2). Les is equally clear that the law, especially the Ten Commandments, was never intended to save a Jew either; it was simply a standard on tables of stone that could only show guilt (Clip 5). Before the written law, man could only go by conscience, but once the law came, his lawbreaking was undeniable (Clip 6). In Paul's teaching, Les concludes, the law does absolutely nothing but condemn; there is no power in the law to save anybody (Clip 7).
The Bible's answer is no. Romans 3:20 says 'by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.' Les Feldick points out that the law has nothing in it to save; it condemns the lawbreaker. The law was never intended to save a Jew or a Gentile; all it could do was show his guilt (Clip 1, Clip 5, Clip 7).
Romans 5:20 says the law entered 'that the offence might abound.' This shows that the law makes sin visible for what it truly is. Centuries before the written law, man only had a conscience; when the written law came, everything man was doing clearly broke God's law and became sin (Clip 6).
Romans 6:14 says 'sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.' Les contrasts the law, which condemns, with grace, which saves. Under grace, God moves in and creates a new part of the believer in righteousness and true holiness (Clip 0). The law was a cold standard that could only show guilt, but grace delivers from that condemnation (Clip 1, Clip 5).
Grace Creates a New Creation
Les explains that after God moves in through the Holy Spirit, a new creation in righteousness and true holiness is formed—showing what grace does that the law could never do.
Law's Only Purpose: Condemn
Les teaches that the law was given to condemn mankind and show him that he is a lawbreaker; the law had nothing in it to save.
Law Reveals Old Adam
Les explains that the law shows what old Adam is really made of by revealing that everything man does is contrary to the will of a holy God.
The Law Convicts, Not Saves
Les points out that the true purpose of the law is to convict; it gives the knowledge of sin, while the law itself remains holy, just and good.
Knowledge of Sin Through the Law
Les emphasizes the phrase 'for by the law is the knowledge of sin,' explaining that this is the law's true function—revealing sin, not removing it.
Law Could Not Save Jew or Gentile
Les stresses that the law was never intended to save a Jew; it reached every human being only to show guilt, not to provide salvation.
Written Law Made Sin Undeniable
Les explains that before the written law man could only go by conscience, but after the law came his lawbreaking became unmistakable.
Paul's Point: Law Only Condemns
Les says Paul makes it clear that the law does absolutely nothing but condemn; there is no power in the law to save anyone.
Romans 3:19: Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Shows the law's universal effect: it silences every excuse and makes all mankind guilty.
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.
The key verse that distinguishes the law's purpose from salvation; the law reveals sin rather than removing it.
Romans 5:20: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Explains why the law was given at Sinai—to make the offense of sin abound and then showcase grace.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Shows that believers are not under the law's rule but under grace, so sin no longer dominates.
Romans 7:12: Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Clarifies that the law itself is not evil; it is a holy standard that reveals man's sin.
Romans 7:14: For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Confirms the law is spiritual and God-given, while human nature is carnal and in need of salvation.
It means the law's role is not to save but to reveal sin. Romans 3:20 says no flesh is justified by the law because the law only gives the knowledge of sin. Les Feldick explains that the law was given to show mankind his guilt and sinfulness, not to provide a remedy.
Les Feldick clarifies that the law reached out to every human being. Although the written law was given to Israel, its moral standard, the Ten Commandments, shows that all the world is guilty before God. The law could not save a Jew or a Gentile; it could only condemn.
The law was given so that sin might be seen for what it truly is. Romans 5:20 says the law entered that the offense might abound. Les Feldick says it entered 1500 years before Christ to make man's breaking of God's law undeniable, showing that there is no power in the law to save.
Watch the Teaching: Redemption Explained: From Law to Grace (Romans 3 & 6)