Romans 3:31 Meaning and Explanation
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Does faith abolish the law? Far from it, Paul says: faith actually upholds and establishes the law.
What Does Romans 3:31 Mean?
Paul closes the chapter by guarding against a misunderstanding. If we are justified by faith, does that throw out the law as worthless? Not at all, he insists. Rather, faith confirms and establishes the law, honoring its true purpose and giving it its rightful place.
Faith does not set us free to ignore God's commands; it sets us right with God so that His will can at last be fulfilled in us. The law that exposed our sin is upheld, not discarded, when Christ satisfies its demands and writes its righteousness on willing hearts. Grace and obedience are not enemies. The faith that justifies is the same faith that bears the fruit of a transformed, law-honoring life.
Romans 3:31 in the Original Language
histemi (ἵστημι), 'establish' -- to set up, confirm, or make stand firm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 3:31
What does Romans 3:31 mean?
Does faith abolish the law? Far from it, Paul says: faith actually upholds and establishes the law.