For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
There is no righteousness that is half and half, if you are a sinner at all, you have no glory before God until Christ removes the curse. Paul's argument cuts to pieces any notion that some are justified partly by works and partly by grace; sin excludes all boasting, and Christ alone restores the approbation of God.
AI summary
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
Boasting is shut out entirely, not by the law of works, which only establishes boasting, but by the doctrine of faith in Christ's righteousness. The most unlikely persons, the vilest sinners, are justified without any consideration of their works, so there is not the least room for the creature to boast in himself.
AI summary