The law was given to reveal sin and make all the world guilty, not to save or justify anyone.
In Romans 3:19-20 the Bible says the law stops every mouth and shows that by the deeds of the law no flesh is justified; it gives the knowledge of sin. Les Feldick explains that the law's only purpose is to condemn, showing every person he is a lawbreaker. It has no power in itself to save.
Romans 3:19 — This verse directly answers the question by showing the law's verdict reaches every mouth and makes all the world guilty.
Romans 3:20 — This verse states plainly that no flesh is justified by the deeds of the law because the law brings the knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:19 says, "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." The law is shown speaking to those under it, and its verdict reaches every mouth and the whole world. Romans 3:20 then states, "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." Scripture does not present the law as a means of justification or salvation. The law's result is guilt and the knowledge of sin.
Les Feldick teaches that the law's single purpose in Scripture is to condemn man and reveal his sin. In Romans 3:19-20 Paul says all the world may become guilty and that by the deeds of the law no flesh is justified, because the law gives the knowledge of sin (Clips 1, 3). He stresses that the law does nothing but condemn — there is no power in it to save anyone (Clip 2). Although the Mosaic law was given to Israel and addressed those under the law, Les points out its power did not stop with Israel: every mouth in the whole human race is stopped and all the world, Jew and Gentile, becomes guilty (Clips 4, 7). The Ten Commandments simply show the old Adam that he is bent toward idolatry, stealing, envy, and every other thing the law prohibits (Clip 5). Les also describes the law as a "ministration of death" and says every human being other than Christ has already broken it, so the law's repeated verdict is guilt (Clips 4, 6).
No. Les says the law does absolutely nothing but condemn and has no power to save anybody (Clip 2). Romans 3:20 says by the deeds of the law no flesh is justified, so keeping the commandments cannot make anyone righteous. The law's only result is the knowledge of sin (Clips 1, 3).
Scripture says the law speaks to those under the law, which Les identifies as Israel (Clip 4). But he teaches the power of the law did not stop with Israel: every mouth is stopped and all the world, Jew and Gentile, becomes guilty before God (Clips 4, 7). Even though the law was given to Israel, its moral demands reach the whole human race.
Les explains that by the law comes the knowledge of sin, not knowledge of God or salvation (Clips 1, 5). The Ten Commandments showed man that he is naturally bent to idolatry, taking God's name in vain, envy, theft, and all the other things the law prohibits. That is all the law could do—show man his sin (Clip 5).
No. Romans 3:20 says by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified in God's sight (Clips 1, 3). Les emphasizes that every person who has ever lived, other than Christ, has already broken the law, so the law condemns everyone rather than making anyone righteous (Clip 6).
God's Righteousness Explained — Romans 3 Verse by Verse
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
The Law's Sole Purpose Is to Condemn
Les explains that the law was given to condemn mankind and show that every person is a lawbreaker, and it has nothing in itself to save.
The Law Cannot Save Anyone
Les says the law does absolutely nothing but condemn; there is no power in the law to save anybody, and Paul shows no justification by the law.
No Flesh Justified by the Law
Les notes that since the law makes everyone guilty, by keeping the law no flesh is justified and the law gives the knowledge of sin.
Law Applies to the Whole World
Les teaches the law was spoken to Israel but its power stops every mouth and makes all the world guilty, ending with 'the law was a ministration of death.'
Ten Commandments Reveal Man's Sin
Les says the law's one purpose is knowledge of sin; the Ten Commandments show man's natural bent to break them, and that is all the law could do.
Every Person Has Broken the Law
Les explains that every human being other than Christ has already broken the law, so the law condemns everyone rather than justifying them.
All the World Guilty, Jew and Gentile
Les says the law was given to Israel but applies to the whole human race; all the world is guilty, not saved or made righteous.
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.
This verse states the law's verdict reaches every mouth and makes all the world 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.
This verse is the key answer: no flesh is justified by the law's deeds because the law gives the knowledge of sin.
Les says the law has no power to save; it does nothing but condemn and gives only the knowledge of sin (Clips 2, 5). Romans 3:20 says no flesh is justified by the deeds of the law. The law's role is to show guilt, not to rescue.
Les clarifies that the law was given to Israel, yet its power reaches the whole world because every mouth must be stopped and all become guilty (Clips 4, 7). As Romans 3:19 says, all the world may become guilty before God.
Les explains that the law reveals man's sin: the Ten Commandments show that man is bent toward idolatry, theft, envy, and other violations (Clip 5). The law gives awareness of sin, not salvation.
Watch the Teaching: God's Righteousness Explained — Romans 3 Verse by Verse