Romans 3:20

The context

Romans 3 concludes the indictment that began in chapter 1: Gentiles, then Jews, then a catena of quotations ending with the claim that no one is righteous. Verse 20 draws the conclusion about the law's effect, and verse 21 turns to the righteousness of God revealed apart from law. The argument then runs through 3:21–26.

What it establishes

The law's function in Paul's argument is diagnostic. It makes sin known; it does not produce the standing it demands. Justification is therefore not available through law-keeping, and the verse states that as a conclusion from the whole preceding argument rather than as a fresh claim.

What it does not establish

"Works of the law" is disputed. Whether Paul means all moral effort, or specifically the boundary practices that marked Jews off from Gentiles, is a live disagreement and this verse does not decide it. Nor does the verse say the law is useless; it assigns it a role.

Short note, first pass, October 2026. Corrections welcome.

Cited in these answers

• If I live a good life and treat people well, why isn't that enough to get into heaven?

Part of Scripture, Opened — the exegetical layer behind every citation on this site. Scripture quotations are from the ESV.