Romans 3:20
New International Version
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

New Living Translation
For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

English Standard Version
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore by works of the Law, not any flesh will be justified before Him; for through the Law is knowledge of sin.

King James Bible
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

New King James Version
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

New American Standard Bible
because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin.

NASB 1995
because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

NASB 1977
because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Legacy Standard Bible
because by the works of the Law NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT, for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Amplified Bible
For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].

Christian Standard Bible
For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

American Standard Version
because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.

Contemporary English Version
God doesn't accept people simply because they obey the Law. No, indeed! All the Law does is to point out our sin.

English Revised Version
because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Not one person can have God's approval by following Moses' Teachings. Moses' Teachings show what sin is.

Good News Translation
For no one is put right in God's sight by doing what the Law requires; what the Law does is to make us know that we have sinned.

International Standard Version
Therefore, God will not justify any human being by means of the actions prescribed by the Law, for through the Law comes the full knowledge of sin.

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

NET Bible
For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

New Heart English Bible
Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Weymouth New Testament
For on the ground of obedience to Law no man living will be declared righteous before Him. Law simply brings a sure knowledge of sin.

World English Bible
Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for this reason by works of law will no flesh be declared righteous before Him, for through law is a knowledge of sin.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore by works of the Law, not any flesh will be justified before Him; for through the Law is knowledge of sin.

Young's Literal Translation
wherefore by works of law shall no flesh be declared righteous before Him, for through law is a knowledge of sin.

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore from the works of the law shall no flesh be justified before him: for by the law the knowledge of sin.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before him. For by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For in his presence no flesh shall be justified by the works of the law. For knowledge of sin is through the law.

New American Bible
since no human being will be justified in his sight by observing the law; for through the law comes consciousness of sin.

New Revised Standard Version
For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For by the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be justified before his presence: for by means of the law, sin is known.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because by works of The Written Law no one is justified before him, for by The Written Law sin has been made known.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Wherefore, by works of law, no flesh shall be justified in his sight; for by law is the knowledge of sin.

Godbey New Testament
Therefore no flesh shall be justified by works of law: for through law there is a perfect knowledge of sin.

Haweis New Testament
Wherefore by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified before God: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Mace New Testament
for by the observation of the law no one shall be justified in his sight, since it is the law that takes cognizance of sin.

Weymouth New Testament
For on the ground of obedience to Law no man living will be declared righteous before Him. Law simply brings a sure knowledge of sin.

Worrell New Testament
because, by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the law is the knowledge of sin.

Worsley New Testament
Wherefore by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before Him: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
There is No One Righteous
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. 21But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.…

Cross References
Galatians 2:16
know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 3:10-11
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

Galatians 3:24
So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

James 2:10
Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Hebrews 10:1
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.

Acts 13:39
Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

2 Corinthians 3:7-9
Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Psalm 143:2
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Therefore.

Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Romans 4:13
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

no flesh.

Job 25:4
How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

Psalm 130:3
If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Psalm 143:2
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

in his sight.

Job 15:15
Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.

Job 25:5
Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.

for by the.

Romans 7:7-9
What shall we say then? Is 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…

Galatians 2:19
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

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Able Conscious Declared Deeds Flesh Ground Human Justified Law Obedience Observing Rather Righteous Righteousness Sight Simply Sin Sure Wherefore Works
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Able Conscious Declared Deeds Flesh Ground Human Justified Law Obedience Observing Rather Righteous Righteousness Sight Simply Sin Sure Wherefore Works
Romans 3
1. The Jews prerogative;
3. which they have not lost;
9. howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;
20. therefore no one is justified by the law;
28. but all, without difference, by faith, only;
31. and yet the law is not abolished.














Therefore
This word serves as a conclusion drawn from the preceding arguments. In the context of Romans, Paul has been building a case about the universal sinfulness of humanity, both Jew and Gentile. The Greek word "διότι" (dioti) indicates a logical conclusion, emphasizing that what follows is a result of what has been previously stated. It is a reminder that the truths of the Gospel are interconnected and build upon one another.

no one
The phrase underscores the universality of the statement. In Greek, "πᾶσα σὰρξ" (pasa sarx) literally means "all flesh," indicating that every human being, without exception, is included. This reflects the biblical teaching that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), emphasizing the need for a Savior.

will be justified
The term "justified" comes from the Greek "δικαιωθήσεται" (dikaiōthēsetai), which means to be declared righteous. In a legal sense, it refers to being acquitted or pronounced innocent. In the context of Christian theology, justification is a key doctrine, signifying that believers are declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ, not by their own merit.

in His sight
This phrase highlights the divine perspective. The Greek "ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ" (enōpion autou) means "before Him" or "in His presence." It reminds us that God's judgment is the ultimate standard, and His omniscience means He sees and knows all. Human standards and judgments are fallible, but God's are perfect and just.

by works of the law
The "works of the law" refers to the deeds prescribed by the Mosaic Law. In Greek, "ἐξ ἔργων νόμου" (ex ergōn nomou) indicates actions performed in adherence to the law. Paul argues that these works, while good, cannot justify anyone before God. This is a central theme in Pauline theology, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith, not by human effort.

For the law
The "law" here refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which contain God's commandments. The Greek "νόμος" (nomos) is used to denote the entire body of divine commandments given to Israel. The law serves a specific purpose in God's redemptive plan, which Paul is about to explain.

merely brings awareness of sin
The phrase "brings awareness of sin" is translated from the Greek "ἐπίγνωσιν ἁμαρτίας" (epignōsin hamartias), meaning a full or complete knowledge of sin. The law acts as a mirror, revealing human sinfulness and the inability to achieve righteousness on our own. It is not a means of salvation but a tool to lead us to Christ, who fulfills the law on our behalf.

(20) Therefore.--Rather, because. All mankind alike owe the penalty for their sins. Because not even the Law can protect its votaries. It has no power to justify. All it can do is to expose in its true colours the sinfulness of sin.

The proposition is thrown into a general form: not by the works of the (Jewish) Law, but by "works of law"--i.e., by any works done in obedience to any law. Law, in the abstract, as such, is unable to justify. It might perhaps, we gather from later portions of the Epistle, if men could really keep it, but no law can be kept strictly and entirely.

Knowledge of sin.--"Full and thorough knowledge."

In the state anterior to law, man is not supposed to know what is sinful and what is not. Conscience, gradually developed, comes in to give him some insight into the distinction, but the full knowledge of right and wrong, in all its details, is reserved for the introduction of positive law. Law has, however, only this enlightening faculty; it holds the mirror up to guilt, but it cannot remove it.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Therefore
διότι (dioti)
Conjunction
Strong's 1360: On this account, because, for. From dia and hoti; on the very account that, or inasmuch as.

no
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

one
πᾶσα (pasa)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

will be justified
δικαιωθήσεται (dikaiōthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1344: From dikaios; to render just or innocent.

in His sight
ἐνώπιον (enōpion)
Preposition
Strong's 1799: Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.

by
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

works
ἔργων (ergōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

of the Law.
νόμου (nomou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

[the] Law
νόμου (nomou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

merely brings
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

awareness
ἐπίγνωσις (epignōsis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1922: From epiginosko; recognition, i.e. full discernment, acknowledgement.

of sin.
ἁμαρτίας (hamartias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.


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NT Letters: Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the law (Rom. Ro)
Romans 3:19
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