Subject: Correct Understanding of verses? |
Bible Note: Hello, Your quotation is accurate but taken out of context. As given here the quote appears to demonstrate that obey the law makes one righteous. That is not correct. Later, Paul writes: Romans 3:19-20 (ESV) Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. [20] For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Since obeying the law does not justify anyone, how can Paul say that obedience to the law will justify? Paul's point in chapter two (as you follow it through to chapter four) is to make plain the fact that he is comparing the Jews who hear the law and do nothing because they really do not believe it to Gentiles who have not heard the law but instinctively do part of it. He is trying to point out that the high-minded Jews are no better than the barbarians mentioned in chapter one. Then he summarizes in chapter three that ALL men are sinners and we cannot do ANY work to justify ourselves. Steve |