For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
20. Therefore by the works of the law, etc. It is a matter of doubt, even among the learned, what the works of the law mean. Some extend them to the observance of the whole law, while others confine them to the ceremonies alone.
Man in his corrupted state can never gain acceptance with God by any works of his own. If we had never sinned, obedience would have saved us; but having sinned, nothing we do can atone for our guilt. All justification is resolved into the free grace of God through Christ alone, received by faith.
AI summary
Commenting on Romans 3:19-31
Being justified freely by his grace,.... The matter of justification is before expressed, and the persons that share in this blessing are described; here the several causes of it are mentioned. The moving cause of it is the free grace of God; for by "the grace of God" here, is not meant the Gospel, or what some men call the terms of the Gospel, and...