What does Romans 3:31 mean?
Romans 3 concludes with Paul addressing one more imagined objection from religious Jews who might be reading these words: "So you're just throwing out the law of Moses and starting from scratch, then? The law is out and faith is in just because you say so?"Paul uses his standard emphatic response to these kinds of questions: "By no means!" This is the phrase mē genoito in Greek. Paul insists that his teaching about faith in Christ does not overthrow or nullify the law. Instead, it upholds or establishes the law.
That statement, of course, raises all kinds of questions from both sides. Does Paul mean that the law is still in effect and we must all, Jews and Gentiles alike, be circumcised and keep its commands? Is Paul going to try to blend the works of the law into faith in Christ as a way to be acceptable to God? That's exactly what some Jewish religious leaders wanted Paul to do. Romans chapter 4, though, will explain exactly what Paul means when he says that his teaching upholds the law.
