The Purpose of the Law Today

Few doctrines create more confusion among believers than the role of the law. Some treat it as a rulebook for Christian living, others as a means of spiritual growth, and some even attempt to blend it with grace. Romans 3:19-20 clarifies the issue by explaining why God gave the law and how it functions today.

“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. 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.” - Romans 3:19–20

Who the Law Was Given To

Scripture is clear that the law was given specifically to Israel, not to the Body of Christ. God separated Israel from the nations and placed them under the Mosaic law as His covenant people (Exo 19:5–6). Paul affirms this distinction in Romans when he explains that those who sinned under the law would be judged by the law (Rom 2:12), and that Israel trusted in the law as a marker of righteousness (Rom 2:17). While we can learn from the law, because all scripture is profitable, we are not under it today and need to know how to use it (Rom 6:14, 2Ti 3:16-17).

What the Law Accomplishes

The law’s purpose was never to justify, but to silence. Romans 3:19 explains that the law stops every mouth, especially the self-righteous, religious mouth that seeks justification through their own works and obedience. No excuse suffices when you are clearly at fault.

Although in Romans all were already declared guilty without excuse before God through creation and conscience (Rom 1:18-20; Rom 2:14-15), Israel’s failure under the law confirms that even God's explicit instructions cannot make sinful flesh righteous. God’s wrath has been revealed against all ungodliness, Jew and Gentile alike (Rom 1:18).

Israel’s condemnation under the law brings the whole world guilty before God because it demonstrates that even God’s chosen nation could not attain righteousness by their own works (Rom 9:31-32).

Why the Law Cannot Justify

Because all are guilty, justification cannot come through law-keeping or good deeds. This is stated plainly in verse 20: “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight” (Rom 3:20). The law required perfect obedience, and the Bible reminds us that breaking the law in even one point makes a person guilty (Deu 6:25; Jas 2:10). Good works cannot make a person righteous because man is not righteous to begin with. Contrary to the common belief of the religious world, righteousness is not a scale where enough good deeds can outweigh bad ones. A murderer remains a murderer, even if he helps an old lady cross the street or gives money to the poor.

Rather than producing righteousness, the law exposes sin. Isaiah shows that even man’s self-perceived righteous acts are as filthy rags before a perfectly righteous and holy God (Isa 64:6). The law reveals God’s righteous standard, but it offers no power to meet that standard, which is why we can’t try to put ourselves under its jurisdiction, or else we’re stuck in our sin.

The Law’s True Function Today

Paul explains that “by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom 3:20). The law identifies transgression, making sin exceedingly sinful (Rom 7:7-13). It was added because of transgressions, not to remove them (Gal 3:19), and it functions as a schoolmaster to bring sinners to Christ, not to justify them (Gal 3:21-25).

Justification and forgiveness come only through faith in Christ, apart from the law (Gal 2:16-21; Acts 13:39). You need HIS righteousness, life, mind, and power, not your own.

While believers today are not under the law, the law still has a lawful use. Paul makes this point explicitly when he explains both the misuse of the law and its proper purpose today under grace:

“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” - 1 Timothy 1:3-11

This passage shows that the law is not given to produce righteousness in the believer. You are righteous in Christ; the law is not made for your adherence (2Co 5:21). Used lawfully, it exposes sin, silences self-righteousness, and drives unsaved sinners to the gospel; used unlawfully, it produces confusion, legalism, pride, and bondage.

The law is not the Christian’s rule of life. It ministers death and condemnation (2Co 3:7-9), and the strength of sin is the law itself (1Co 15:56). Instead, believers walk in newness of life under grace, not under the law (Rom 6:14), empowered by the Spirit and constrained by Christ's love, rather than Israel's law (Rom 8:1-4). 

The Right Conclusion

Romans 3:19-20 closes every self-righteous, works-based path to righteousness so that grace may stand alone. The law prepares the sinner by revealing guilt, but it cannot save. Salvation and righteousness come only through the finished work of Christ, received by faith alone (Rom 5:1-2, 4:4-5).

Understanding the purpose of the law guards the gospel, protects believers from legalism, and allows us to enjoy our liberty in Christ, free from the law, so that we may serve God in newness of spirit, out of love and gratitude, rather than in the bondage and guilt that the law produces.