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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/3-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/45_Rom_03_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 3:31 - Righteousness through Faith" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! 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Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Do we, then, nullify <i>the</i> Law through faith? Never may it be! Instead, we uphold Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do we then nullify the Law through faith? Far from it! On the contrary, we establish the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do we then abolish the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm <i>and</i> establish <i>and</i> uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! On the contrary, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do we then cancel the law through faith? Absolutely not! On the contrary, we uphold the law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Do we destroy the Law by our faith? Not at all! We make it even more powerful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Are we abolishing Moses' Teachings by this faith? That's unthinkable! Rather, we are supporting Moses' Teachings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Does this mean that by this faith we do away with the Law? No, not at all; instead, we uphold the Law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do we, then, abolish the Law by this faith? Of course not! Instead, we uphold the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead we uphold the law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not. No, we establish the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Do we then make void the law through faith? By no means: but we establish the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Do we then by means of this faith abolish the Law? No, indeed; we give the Law a firmer footing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do we then make law useless through faith? Let it not be! Indeed, we establish law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Do we, then, nullify <i>the</i> Law through faith? Never may it be! Instead, we uphold Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Law then do we make useless through the faith? let it not be! yea, we do establish law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Therefore shall we leave the law inactive by faith It may not be: but we should establish the law.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Do we, then, destroy the law through faith? God forbid: but we establish the law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Are we then destroying the law through faith? Let it not be so! Instead, we are making the law stand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Are we then annulling the law by this faith? Of course not! On the contrary, we are supporting the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why, then? Do we nullify the law through faith? Far be it: on the contrary, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Are we eliminating The Written Law by faith? God forbid, but we are establishing The Written Law. <div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Do we, then, make law void through the faith? It can not be. On the other hand, we establish law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then do we make void the law through faith? It could not be so: but we establish the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Do we then abolish the law through faith? God forbid: but on the contrary, we give the law stability.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />do we then make the law useless by our doctrine of faith? by no means; on the contrary, it is we that observe the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Do we then by means of this faith abolish the Law? No, indeed; we give the Law a firmer footing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Do we, then, make void the law through faith? It could not be! Yea, we establish <i>the</i> law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: yea we establish the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/3-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=824" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">Righteousness through Faith</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/2673.htm" title="2673: katargoumen (V-PIA-1P) -- From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.">Do we, then, nullify</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: Nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">this</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pisteōs (N-GFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith?</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genoito (V-AOM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">Certainly not!</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">Instead,</a> <a href="/greek/2476.htm" title="2476: histanomen (V-PIA-1P) -- A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.">we uphold</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Galatians 3:21</a></span><br />Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10-12</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. / Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-4.htm">Romans 8:4</a></span><br />so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a></span><br />So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a></span><br />So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Romans 10:4</a></span><br />For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8</a></span><br />Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a></span><br />For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a></span><br />The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-21.htm">1 Corinthians 9:21</a></span><br />To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-15.htm">Ephesians 2:15</a></span><br />by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a></span><br />Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-17.htm">Luke 16:17</a></span><br />But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yes, we establish the law.</p><p class="hdg">do we.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14</a></b></br> For if they which are of the law <i>be</i> heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-126.htm">Psalm 119:126</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> time for <i>thee</i>, LORD, to work: <i>for</i> they have made void thy law.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/8-8.htm">Jeremiah 8:8,9</a></b></br> How do ye say, We <i>are</i> wise, and the law of the LORD <i>is</i> with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he <i>it</i>; the pen of the scribes <i>is</i> in vain… </p><p class="hdg">God.</p><p class="hdg">See on</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Romans 3:4</a></b></br> God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.</p><p class="hdg">yea.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7-14,22,25</a></b></br> What shall we say then? <i>Is</i> the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/8-4.htm">Romans 8:4</a></b></br> That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Romans 10:4</a></b></br> For Christ <i>is</i> the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Abolish</a> <a href="/romans/3-26.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/romans/1-26.htm">Contrary</a> <a href="/acts/6-3.htm">Establish</a> <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Far</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm">Footing</a> <a href="/romans/3-6.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/3-28.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/3-6.htm">Means</a> <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">Nullify</a> <a href="/acts/5-39.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/romans/3-6.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/matthew/4-6.htm">Uphold</a> <a href="/romans/3-12.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/romans/1-31.htm">Void</a> <a href="/romans/3-29.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_timothy/1-10.htm">Abolish</a> <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Contrary</a> <a href="/romans/10-3.htm">Establish</a> <a href="/romans/4-3.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Far</a> <a href="/romans/10-12.htm">Footing</a> <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/romans/5-13.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/4-8.htm">Means</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-28.htm">Nullify</a> <a href="/romans/11-12.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/romans/5-9.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/romans/11-18.htm">Uphold</a> <a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Void</a> <a href="/romans/4-6.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-1.htm">The Jews prerogative;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-3.htm">which they have not lost;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-9.htm">howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-20.htm">therefore no one is justified by the law;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-28.htm">but all, without difference, by faith, only;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-31.htm">and yet the law is not abolished.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith?</b><br>This phrase addresses a potential misunderstanding of the relationship between faith and the law. In the context of Romans, Paul is discussing justification by faith apart from works of the law. The question arises whether faith in Christ renders the law obsolete. Historically, the Jewish law was central to Jewish identity and religious practice. The law, given through Moses, was seen as a covenant between God and Israel. Paul anticipates the concern that faith in Christ might undermine this covenant. This echoes Jesus' own words in <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>, where He states He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.<p><b>Certainly not!</b><br>Paul's emphatic response underscores the continuity between faith and the law. The Greek phrase used here is a strong negation, indicating that the idea of nullifying the law is entirely incorrect. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God's moral standards remain constant. The law's purpose is not negated by faith; rather, faith reveals the law's true intent. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the spirit of the law over mere legalistic adherence.<p><b>Instead, we uphold the law.</b><br>Paul asserts that faith in Christ actually upholds the law. This suggests that the law is fulfilled in a deeper sense through faith. The law's ultimate purpose is realized in the life of a believer who, through the Holy Spirit, lives out the righteousness that the law intended. This is consistent with the prophetic writings, such as <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>, which speaks of God's law being written on the hearts of His people. The concept of upholding the law through faith also connects to the idea of Jesus as the fulfillment of the law, embodying its principles and enabling believers to live in accordance with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the early Christian church in Rome, explaining the relationship between faith and the law.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_roman_church.htm">The Roman Church</a></b><br>The recipients of this letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who were grappling with the role of the Mosaic Law in light of the gospel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_mosaic_law.htm">The Mosaic Law</a></b><br>Refers to the commandments given to Moses in the Old Testament, which were central to Jewish life and worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_law_in_harmony.htm">Faith and Law in Harmony</a></b><br>Faith in Christ does not abolish the law but fulfills its righteous requirements. Believers are called to live out the moral principles of the law through the power of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law.htm">The Role of the Law</a></b><br>The law serves as a guide to reveal sin and the need for a Savior. It is not a means of salvation but a mirror reflecting God's holiness and our need for grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_by_faith.htm">Living by Faith</a></b><br>True faith results in a transformed life that naturally upholds the law's moral standards. This transformation is evidence of genuine faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/grace_and_obedience.htm">Grace and Obedience</a></b><br>While salvation is by grace through faith, obedience to God's commands is a natural response to His grace, demonstrating our love and commitment to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a></b><br>The early church faced challenges in uniting Jewish and Gentile believers. Understanding the role of the law helps bridge cultural and religious divides, fostering unity in the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_sides_a,_b,_x,_and_y.htm">Is the law based on faith or works?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_hebrew_roots_movement.htm">What is the Hebrew Roots Movement?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_romans_4_16_unite_faith,_grace,_law.htm">In Romans 4:16, how can Paul unite faith, grace, and law under Abraham’s example without dismissing the importance of the Mosaic Law elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_eternal_laws_with_obsolete_ones.htm">Psalm 111:7–8 asserts God’s commands stand forever—how do you reconcile this with biblical laws that seem contradictory or culturally obsolete today? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">Do we then make void the law.</span>--In opposition to many commentators it seems right to take this as an isolated statement to be worked out afterwards (<a href="/romans/6-1.htm" title="What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?">Romans 6:1</a> <span class= "ital">et seq.</span>) more fully. It cannot, without straining, be connected directly with what follows. The Apostle deals with two objections to his theory of justification by faith: (1) that there ought to be a different rule for the Jew and for the Gentile; (2) that if not, the law is practically abolished. He meets this latter by a contradiction, saying that it is not abolished, but confirmed. This is, however, drawing upon the stock of conclusions in his own mind to which he had come by process of meditation; the detailed proof is reserved.<p><span class= "bld"><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Do we then make law void through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish law</span>. The question naturally arises after what has been said about justification being <span class="greek">χωρὶς νόμου</span>. Do we then make out our revealed Law, which we have accounted so holy and Divine, to be valueless? Or. rather, as the question is more generally put (<span class="greek">νόμον</span> being without the article, and therefore translated as above), "Do we make of none effect the whole principle of law, embodied to us in our Divine Law? Regarded erroneously as a principle of <span class="accented">justification</span>, the apostle might have answered. "Yes, we do." But any disparagement of it, regarded in its true light and as answering its real purpose, he meets with an indignant <span class="greek">μὴ γένοιτο</span>. On the contrary, he says, we establish it. Law means the declaration of righteousness, and requirement of conformity to it on the part of man. We establish this principle by our doctrine of the necessity of atonement for man's defect. We put law on its true base, and so make it the more to stand (<span class="greek">ἰστάνομεν</span>) by showing its office to be, not to <span class="accented">justify -</span> a position untenable - but to <span class="accented">convince of sin</span>, and so lead up to Christ (cf. <a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a>, etc.; <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>). In pursuance of this thought, the apostle, in the next chapter, shows that in the Old Testament itself it is <span class="accented">faith</span>, and not <span class="accented">law</span>, which is regarded as <span class="accented">justifying</span>; as, in the first place and notably, in the case of Abraham; thus proving the previous assertion in <a href="/romans/3-21.htm">Romans 3:21</a>, <span class="greek">Μαρτυρουμένη</span> <span class="greek">ὑπὸ τοῦ νόμου καὶ τῶν προφητῶν</span>. In ch. 7. he treats the subject subjectively, analyzing the operation of law in the human soul, and so bringing out still more clearly its true meaning and purpose. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/3-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Do we, then, nullify</span><br /><span class="grk">καταργοῦμεν</span> <span class="translit">(katargoumen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2673.htm">Strong's 2673: </a> </span><span class="str2">From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Law</span><br /><span class="grk">Νόμον</span> <span class="translit">(Nomon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">διὰ</span> <span class="translit">(dia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[this]</span><br /><span class="grk">τῆς</span> <span class="translit">(tēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">faith?</span><br /><span class="grk">πίστεως</span> <span class="translit">(pisteōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> </span><span class="str2">Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Absolutely not!</span><br /><span class="grk">γένοιτο</span> <span class="translit">(genoito)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Optative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Instead,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλλὰ</span> <span class="translit">(alla)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we uphold</span><br /><span class="grk">ἱστάνομεν</span> <span class="translit">(histanomen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2476.htm">Strong's 2476: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Law.</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμον</span> <span class="translit">(nomon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/3-31.htm">NT Letters: Romans 3:31 Do we then nullify the law through (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/3-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 3:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 3:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/4-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 4:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 4:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>