Romans 3:20

For no human being will be pronounced righteous before God as the result of obedience to Law; for it is Law that shows what sin is.

Open English Bible (US)

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

19Now we know that everything said in the Law is addressed to those who are under its authority, in order that every mouth may be closed, and to bring the whole world under God’s judgment.

21But now, quite apart from Law, the divine righteousness stands revealed, and to it the Law and the prophets bear witness –

Read all of Romans 3

Cross References

Psalms 143:2With your servant O enter you not into judgment, for in your sight can no one alive be justified.

Romans 2:13It is not those who hear the words of a Law that are righteous before God, but it is those who obey it that will be pronounced righteous.

Romans 4:13For the promise that he should inherit the world did not come to Abraham or his descendants through Law, but through the righteousness due to faith.

Romans 5:13Even before the time of the Law there was sin in the world; but sin cannot be charged against someone where no Law exists.

Romans 7:7What are we to say, then? That Law and sin are the same thing? Heaven forbid! On the contrary, I should not have learned what sin is, had not it been for Law. If the Law did not say ‘You must not covet,’ I should not know what it is to covet.

Matthew Henry on Romans 3:20-31

Justification by Faith; Christ a Propitiation. ( a. d. 58.) 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. 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. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Romans 3:20