Romans 3:31

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

Context:Let’s dive into a Bible study on Romans 3:31 in the King James Version (KJV).

First, let’s read the verse:

This verse is found in the book of Romans, which was written by the apostle Paul. In this particular verse, Paul addresses an important question regarding the relationship between faith and the law.

The preceding verses in Romans 3 highlight the concept of justification by faith. Paul emphasizes that all people, both Jews and Gentiles, are justified before God by faith in Jesus Christ because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. He explains that the righteousness of God is made available through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Romans 3:31 serves as a response to a possible objection that might arise from this teaching. Some may argue that if faith justifies a person, does that mean the law becomes void or unnecessary? Paul’s response is emphatic: "God forbid!" In other words, absolutely not! The law is not nullified or invalidated by faith; instead, faith establishes the law.

What does it mean to establish the law? It means that faith in Jesus Christ doesn’t abolish or undermine the moral standards and principles revealed in the Old Testament law. Rather, it upholds the law’s validity and demonstrates its significance. Through faith, believers acknowledge the righteousness and holiness of God’s law and seek to live in obedience to it.

Jesus Himself affirmed the importance of the law in Matthew 5:17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Jesus fulfilled the law through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection. As believers in Christ, we are not under the condemnation of the law because of our faith in Him, but we are called to live in accordance with God’s commandments out of love for Him.

In Romans 3:31, Paul’s intention is to establish the harmonious relationship between faith and the law. Faith doesn’t undermine or nullify the law; instead, it affirms its enduring significance and provides the motivation and empowerment to live in accordance with God’s standards.