Featured Doers/Fulfillers Of The Law

Romans 3:28 “for we conclude that a man is justified by faith and not by the deeds of the law”.

To understand and harmonize the two passages, it is helpful to go to Paul’s conclusion. It is clear that Paul is not arguing that mankind is justified by works so as to earn salvation or to get God’s attention to be chosen for salvation.

Romans 3:24 says man is “justified freely by His grace….” though the redemption found in Jesus Christ. As mentioned above, justified by faith.

Paul clearly states mankind is not justified by works (deeds of the law). He then clearly states mankind is justified by God’s grace faith in Jesus.

So how to understand Romans 2:13 in light of Paul’s conclusion found in Romans 3? Paul is contrasting Jews and Gentiles. To the Jew, a man is justified by doing the works of the law, one of which is circumcision. Paul is arguing that just because a man has the outward sign of circumcision, it doesn’t make him a “doer of the law” if he fails at other points. On the other hand, Gentiles, uncircumcised and without the law, can do deeds that fulfill the law, to the shame of the Jews that boast they have the law. None of which leads to salvation.

Paul will go on to say all people, Jew and Gentile, are under condemnation and the wrath of God because all sinned and have fallen short. There are none righteous, not even one.

Thanks for the comment

peace to you

 

So Kentucky, strange that you brought this OP up I was just praying to the Lord for an answer, could this also tie in with Paul's comments on Romans 7?... Don't want to derail the thread, just seeking an answer... Brother Glen

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

Oh now I see!... That is why it wasn't in harmony!... Thanks... Brother Glen

 

Yeah Kentucky and in my haste and thought I knew something I forgot this:

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Brother Glen

 

Maybe two Prims bantering back and forth will keep this OP peaceful... I can live with that!... Brother Glen

 

Romans 2:13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified (NASB)

The first question to ask is what Law or what part of the Law? The Law says we are to love God with all our heart, soul and strength. (Deut. 6:5) Is that the Law that we must do?

John 6:29 Jesus replied, "This is the deed God requires - to believe in the one whom he sent." (NET)

Can we love God if we do not believe in His Son? Food for thought...

 

I disagree. Whatever else Paul is teaching in Romans 2, he is certainly laying a foundation for his conclusion in Romans 3 that none are righteous, all stand condemned and under the wrath of God and justification is by grace through faith and not by works of the law.

To the extent Gentiles (or Jews) do the deeds of the law based on their conscience, it is incomplete and falls short of God’s requirements. They are still condemned and can only be justified by grace through faith.

That is the very point Paul is making in these passages. Any belief that anyone can be justified apart from grace through faith is contrary to the context.

peace to you

 

"In stating that “doers of the law … will be justified,” the Apostle attacks any notion of Jewish privilege that says birth into Judaism ensures that one will be safe on judgment day. Paul continues this argument in Romans 2:14–16, telling the Jews that mere access to the Lord’s standards does not set them apart from the Gentiles. Even pagans know enough of our Creator’s requirements to do what He requires (v. 14). By this, they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts (v. 15). The Apostle speaks here of the innate sense of right and wrong implanted in every conscience. Dr. R.C. Sproul writes in his commentary on Romans: “Before we ever took a breath, God planted in our soul an immediate knowledge and awareness of himself. This revelation is given apart from our reading the Bible or looking at nature.” Human beings do not need Scripture for a basic knowledge of good and evil. Because we are fallen, we need to train our consciences by the Word of God in order to discern with clarity what is pleasing to the Lord (Eph. 5:10), but even the most depraved of sinners has a sense of what God demands. What is more, sinners even do things that we can call good in some sense, though not what is fully good according to the exacting demands of God’s law."
The Work of the Law on the Heart

 

My Bible says they are seeking immortality, eternal life not that they have obtained (rendered) eternal life.

Please tell me which version states they have been “rendered eternal life” in vv 5-7, by striving for eternal life according to their patience in well doing.

peace to you

 

There’s the comma. I see it now. Thanks

I will stand by my original statement. Whatever Paul is teaching in these verses, he is not going to contradict his conclusion (not mine) in chapter 3, that all people are condemned and are under the wrath of God and justification is by grace through faith

Perhaps the Apostle Peter was thinking of these verses when he stated Paul’s writings, while scripture, were difficult to understand.

peace to you