We Uphold the Law

"Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law."

Romans 3:31 is a transitional point between Paul’s argument in chapter 3 and the illustrations he provides from Abraham’s life in chapter 4. Chapter 4 illustrates the points he makes in chapter 3. The term “law” in verse 31 refers to the entire OT, the teachings regarding the sinful condition of man and the redemption found, through faith, in Christ Jesus. That can be easily demonstrated by the context. Paul quotes several passages, mainly from Psalms and refers to them as law:

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;
10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;....
19 ¶ Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

Paul says that the whole world is condemned by the testimony of the law. He also says that the righteousness of God apart from the law has been manifested. The law and the prophets testify that righteousness is attained by faith:

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Romans 3:27 contrasts the “law of faith” with the ”law of works.” Paul’s point here is that the law the OT was always about faith. He uses the examples of faith from Abraham’s life in chapter 4 to illustrate his thesis in chapter 3.

When he says faith establishes the law, what he means is that because faith was always the message of the OT, those who believe in Jesus confirm (2Co. 13:1) or uphold (NRSV,NIV) or establish (KJV,NASB) the OT teachings about salvation by faith.

Paul then moves into chapter 4 to illustrate how the OT, through the experience of Abraham, taught salvation by faith, apart from works.

Circumcision

The significance of circumcision as a redemptive element in OT times is clearly illustrated by the plight of Ishmael. Although he was circumcised, he was ultimately rejected and cast out (See Genesis 17 and 21). While the ritual was important, the OT sometimes emphasized the inner significance of the outward act:

De 10:16 "So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.

De 30:6 "Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Jer 4:4 "Circumcise yourselves to the LORD And remove the foreskins of your heart, Men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Or else My wrath will go forth like fire And burn with none to quench it, Because of the evil of your deeds."

Paul clearly explains that circumcision was a sign of justification by faith:

Rom 4:11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

He explains clearly that baptism is the Christian equivalent of circumcision:

Col 2:11 and in Him you were also circumcised <4059> with a circumcision <4061> made without hands, 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision <4061> of Christ;

The NT offers three other alternatives to circumcision:

1Co 7:19 Circumcision <4061> is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.

Ga 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision <4061> nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Ga 6:15 For neither is circumcision <4061> anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

True circumcision is clearly explained:

Php 3:3 for we are the true circumcision <4061>, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,