The Tension Between Law and Faith

In the third chapter of Romans Paul focuses on a natural tension that arises. He has been talking about demonstrating righteousness by keeping the law rather than merely hearing it. Some people might conclude from this that you become righteous by keeping the law. So he devotes chapter three to a discussion of this tension.

He starts out by pointing out the advantage of the Jew in having been exposed to God’s words and commands. But even some of them did not have faith, the circumcision of the heart that we talked about last week. He goes on to declare that no one is righteous in himself, whether Jew or Gentile; all are under sin.

He then goes on to discuss the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus, apart from merely keeping the law. He explains how Jesus had to die to fulfill the demand for justice, since he wasn’t punishing the sinners themselves.

A phrase that Paul uses several times in this passage (as well as others) is “works of law” (ergon nomou). It is not “works of the law”, but just “works of law”. Some treat it as if it means observing the law of God given in the Hebrew Scriptures. The phrase is not used in rabbinic literature, but it is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. There it appears to refer to specific actions that mark one as Jewish rather than Gentile. In light of this Paul seems to be making the point that a person is not righteous simply because he’s a Jew. He’s not discussing the merits of keeping the law.

In verses 27 and 28 Paul uses the phrase twice, to argue against boasting, and to contrast with justification by faith. In the next verse, however, he appears to draw a parallel by asking, “Is God the God of Jews only” Is he not the God of Gentiles too?” So in light of the meaning of the phrase “works of law” in the Dead Sea Scrolls, it appears that Paul’s main argument boils down to “you aren’t saved just by being a Jew”.

In verse 30 he points out that God justifies the Jew and the Gentile in the same way, through faith. Jews or Gentiles who embrace God through the death of Jesus have this righteousness.

But having emphasized that salvation, for anyone, is through faith, Paul makes a special point of correcting a misconception that has since become prevalent among believers. He says, “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Absolutely not! Rather, we uphold the law!” This is Paul’s last word on the subject, and it never seems to get quoted when discussing Paul’s position on the law.

Interestingly, Paul makes a similar statement in I Corinthians 7:19. Paraphrased, it would say, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Jew or a Gentile. Keep God’s commands!” Again, this isn’t for the purpose of obtaining salvation, but out of love for God. As John says in I John 5:3, “This is love for God, to obey his commands.” It’s hard to imagine that so many people are convinced that the New Testament teaches against keeping God’s law.