Romans 3:27
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Romans 3:27 (KJV)
Where
is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Romans 3:27 (KJV)
The apostle Paul writes this verse in his letter to the Romans, following a discussion of God’s righteousness that is received through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21‑26). He has shown that both Jews and Gentiles are justified apart from the works of the law, and now turns to the question of boasting. The rhetorical question, “Where is boasting then?” makes clear that no one can claim personal merit before God when salvation is concerned. Paul explains that boasting is excluded not by the law of works—because a system based on human effort would indeed permit self‑exaltation—but by the “law of faith.” This law of faith is the principle by which individuals receive justification: faith, not works, is the means by which God’s grace is applied.
The “law of faith” therefore emphasizes trust in Christ and reliance on His finished work on the cross. Faith is the key that unlocks God’s grace, allowing believers to receive righteousness freely, without any claim to personal achievement. The implication is that salvation is a gift, not a reward for human effort, and this truth humbles the believer, removing any opportunity for self‑glorification. It directs our focus toward God’s mercy and the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement.
In summary, Romans 3:27 teaches that boasting has no place in the doctrine of justification. Righteousness comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the law or personal merit. This passage calls believers to rely on God’s grace, to recognize that their standing before God is entirely dependent on Him, and to avoid any attitude of self‑exaltation. While various theological perspectives may explore nuances of this verse, the central message remains clear: justification is by faith alone, and therefore there is no ground for boasting.
