19 Now 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. 20 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.
Paul sums up his case that the law cannot protect anyone from God's judgment of their own, personal sinfulness. Anyone who believes that is deceiving themselves. Paul writes that the law speaks to those under the law.
God's righteousness (the way he fulfilled his promises and keeps his word to deliver his people from sins) is revealed in the faithfulness of Jesus. Everyone who has faith in Jesus will be declared righteous (acquitted) in the law court of God. God can make that judgment of acquittal because of the blood of Jesus.
Paul's message is that no one (Jew or Gentile) lives a perfect life, all are sinners, and no one will be justified or declared righteous simply by observing the law. Instead, under the new covenant, Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins, and those who put their faith and trust in Him will be declared righteous.
Romans 3:19 KJV
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Paul is talking about three aspects of salvation: The cause of our salvation is what Jesus did; the means by which it is offered to us is grace; and the way we receive it is faith.
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God.
(19-20) Summation: the law cannot save us from our sin and the penalty it deserves. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
KJV: 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. NIV: Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Context Summary
Now Paul announces that, through faith in Christ, we can be made righteous in God's sight. Entirely apart from the law, we can be redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Christ's blood, willingly shed for our sin. This gift of God's grace instead of wrath is available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Summary on Romans 3:20-26
20 - Paul declares that no one will be seen as righteous in God's eyes, just because s/he obeys men's law; on the contrary, analyzing one's actions through men's law, is the best way to reflect on the sins of mankind.
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
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. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.
Justice must be served, and he is the one who will serve it. Out of God's great love for us sinners, God puts forward his own Son, Jesus Christ, to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. The precious, priceless blood of the holy Son of God is shed on our behalf, covering our sins on the seat of God's mercy.
Romans 3:19-31 God Justifies Believers through Christ. God's law measures us by God's perfect righteousness. God's law is just and righteous and it declares all must do what is right. Law demands we be virtuous, upright, people of integrity, honorable, honest and morally good.
The section 3:9-12 is the final discourse in a series of diatribes that began at 2:1 dealing with God's impartiality. Closing the argument, this concluding diatribe focuses on all men rather than just Jew or Gentile. Verse nine begins the section dealing with the universal sin of mankind.
Those who pursue sin and wickedness do not fear God. Paul now shifts the quote to Psalm 36:1. Psalm 36:1-4 describes the makeup of a wicked person; wickedness begins by not fearing God.
24 Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 24 God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself.
Justification is only possible through faith; it is not possible from works or following the law. Paul says it again: every single person that is justified before God is justified by faith in Jesus.
My friends, don't try to punish anyone who does wrong to you. Wait for God to punish them with his anger. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one who punishes; I will pay people back.”
Paul is addressing a representative Jewish person in this and the previous verses. He is showing all the benefits that person has received because of receiving the law from God. This person knows God's will. By that, they can evaluate everything to see what is "excellent," and what is not.
20because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 8:19 in Other Translations
19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 19 The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God's sons to be revealed.
8 Always pay your debts to people. The only debt that you should have is to love each other. Anyone who loves other people has obeyed God's Law completely.
10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”