Meaning of Romans 3:31

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 3:31, directly confronts a potential misunderstanding of his teaching on justification by faith alone. He argues that far from abolishing or rendering the Mosaic Law obsolete, faith in Jesus Christ actually establishes or upholds it. This assertion is crucial because many, including some within the early church, believed that adherence to the Law was the primary means of righteousness before God. Paul's gospel, which emphasizes salvation through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice, seemed to challenge this deeply ingrained understanding. By declaring that faith upholds the Law, Paul demonstrates that his doctrine is not antinomian (against the Law) but rather a fulfillment and reinterpretation of its ultimate purpose.

Context and Background

This verse appears at the culmination of a significant section in Romans (chapters 1-3) where Paul meticulously lays out the universality of sin and the inadequacy of the Law to achieve righteousness. He argues that all humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, have fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). He then explains that righteousness is imputed by God through faith in Jesus Christ, irrespective of works of the Law (Romans 3:21-22, 24-26). The question in Romans 3:31 arises as a natural objection: if salvation is by faith, then what is the purpose and status of the Law? Was it a failed system, rendered irrelevant by the advent of faith?

Key Themes and Messages

• Faith as Fulfillment, Not Abolition: The central message is that faith in Christ does not negate the Law but rather validates its intended purpose. The Law reveals sin and our inability to keep it, thus driving us to the need for a Savior. Faith in Jesus provides that Savior and the righteousness the Law demanded but could not produce.
• The Law's Role: The Law serves as a "schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:24) that guides us to Christ. It exposes our sinfulness, highlighting our need for grace. It also contains moral and ceremonial precepts that, while not a means of salvation in themselves, reflect God's character and will.
• Righteousness Beyond Legalism: Paul distinguishes between a legalistic adherence to the Law and the genuine righteousness that comes from a transformed heart through faith. True obedience flows from love and gratitude, not from a desire to earn salvation.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse has profound implications for Christian living. It means that believers are not free to disregard the moral principles of the Old Testament Law, as these reflect God's unchanging character. Instead, faith empowers us to live in accordance with God's will, not out of obligation to earn favor, but out of love for Him who has already saved us. The Law, understood through the lens of faith, becomes a guide for righteous living and a reflection of God's design for humanity. It encourages a robust understanding of Christian ethics that is grounded in grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The concept of upholding the Law through faith is consistent with the Old Testament's foreshadowing of a Messiah who would fulfill its requirements. Jesus Himself stated, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). The entirety of the New Testament narrative, from Christ's life and death to the establishment of the Church, demonstrates how faith in Him is the ultimate realization of God's redemptive plan, a plan that was always meant to culminate in a righteousness achieved not by human effort but by divine grace.

Analogies

• A Prescription and a Cure: Imagine a doctor giving a patient a detailed prescription (the Law) for a serious illness. The patient tries to follow the prescription perfectly but is too weak to recover. Then, a new, powerful cure (faith in Christ) is introduced. This cure doesn't invalidate the prescription; rather, it makes the prescription's goal of health achievable. The patient, now healed by the cure, can finally live according to the healthy lifestyle the prescription outlined.
• A Blueprint and a Builder: The Law can be seen as a detailed blueprint for a magnificent building (God's kingdom). However, humanity, lacking the resources and skill, cannot construct the building based on the blueprint alone. Faith in Christ is akin to the master builder who, with divine resources, actually constructs the building according to the blueprint. The blueprint is not discarded; it is the very plan the builder executes.

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." This is Jesus' direct affirmation of the Law's enduring significance, which Paul elaborates on in Romans.
• Galatians 3:24: "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." This verse explicitly states the Law's preparatory role, leading believers to Christ.
• Romans 8:3-4: "For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live by flesh but by Spirit." This passage explains how faith upholds the Law – by providing the righteousness that the Law demanded but could not achieve through human effort.