Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 3:31

"Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law." — Romans 3:31 (ASV)

Do we then make void the law.—In opposition to many commentators it seems right to take this as an isolated statement to be worked out afterwards (Romans 6:1 and following) more fully. It cannot, without straining, be connected directly with what follows.

The Apostle deals with two objections to his theory of justification by faith:

1. that there ought to be a different rule for the Jew and for the Gentile;
2. that if not, the law is practically abolished.

He meets this latter by a contradiction, saying that it is not abolished, but confirmed. This is, however, drawing upon the stock of conclusions in his own mind to which he had come by process of meditation; the detailed proof is reserved.