Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

The final verse of the chapter has elicited many interpretations, attesting its difficulty. The correct view is the one that most closely accords with the foregoing material.

Paul has twice mentioned that observing the “law” (GK 3795; vv.27–28) does not enter at all into justification, which is by faith apart from works of the law. May we draw the conclusion, then, that the law is useless? By no means, the apostle would answer, for the operation of faith really upholds or establishes the law; i.e., the Gospel vindicates the law. The law has fulfilled a vital role by bringing an awareness of sin (v.20). Breaking the law made the redeeming work of Christ at the cross necessary (vv.24–25). Those who see that the cross was a divine necessity will never feel that they can make themselves approved by God by fulfilling the law’s demands. If that were possible, Christ would have died in vain. Since the death of Christ was performed in accordance with God’s righteousness (v.26), this means that the demands of the law have not been set aside in God’s plan of salvation.

One other interpretation of v.31 should be noted briefly, that this verse provides a transition to ch. 4, where Abraham’s justification is explained. On this view “law” simply means Scripture, or more specifically, the Pentateuch (cf. “the Law” in v.21). While such an interpretation is possible, the word “law” does not have an article with it as it does in v.21. Further, it is doubtful that the material of the following chapter can be said to uphold the law.