Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul reveals that "law" doesn't always mean a set of rules to follow, but can also refer to a divine "arrangement" or "principle." Boasting is excluded not by a system of merit based on doing things, but by a divine principle centered on believing – a "law of faith."
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul has just argued that everyone, both Jew and Gentile, is under the power of sin and falls short of God's glory. He's dismantling any idea that religious observance or heritage can earn favor with God, leading to the question of whether any boasting is left. This verse directly addresses that, explaining that the "law of faith" – the gospel's way of justification through Christ – completely excludes any room for self-praise.
Ever feel tempted to compare yourself to others, or to tally up your 'good deeds' as a badge of honor? Paul cuts through that impulse with a powerful question.
The Apostle Paul confronts the idea of human boasting head-on. He asks, "Where is boasting then?" And his immediate answer is, "It is excluded." This isn't a suggestion; it's a divine declaration.
Boasting, whether it's about national heritage, religious rituals, or personal achievements, finds no place in God's plan for salvation. Why? Because justification – being declared righteous before God – is entirely His work, not ours.
Imagine trying to build a skyscraper on a foundation of sand. It would inevitably collapse. Similarly, any attempt to build our standing with God on our own merit is destined to fail, leaving no room for pride.
Paul contrasts two 'laws' that govern our relationship with God. One promises reward for perfect performance, the other offers grace through simple trust.
Paul clarifies how boasting is excluded by distinguishing between two types of 'law': the law of works and the law of faith.
The Law of Works:
This refers to any system that relies on human obedience to earn favor with God. If we were justified by a law of works, and if we could somehow perfectly fulfill its demands, then we would have something to boast about – we would have earned our salvation.
The Law of Faith:
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This is the divine arrangement where salvation is received as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ. It's called a 'law' not because it's a set of commands to be performed, but because it's God's established rule for how sinners are made right with Him. This law requires acknowledging our inability to save ourselves and trusting completely in God's mercy and Christ's finished work.
By instituting the law of faith, God ensures that salvation is purely His initiative and entirely His glory, leaving no room for human pride.
Understand the original words
kauchēsis · Greek Noun
Exultation or self-congratulatory pride based on one's own achievements or adherence to the law. In the context of salvation, it refers to human efforts to earn favor with God, which Scripture declares is excluded.
nomos · Greek Noun
A system, principle, or rule of operation. In this context, it refers to the 'principle' of how God relates to humanity, distinguishing between the system based on human effort (works) and the system based on response to God (faith).
This passage directly echoes Romans 3:27, stating salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, thereby explicitly excluding boasting.
Galatians 2:16Paul reiterates that no one is justified by the works of the law but through faith in Christ, directly supporting the idea that boasting is excluded by a 'law of faith'.
Philippians 3:9This verse further illustrates the exclusion of boasting by contrasting self-righteousness through the law with righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.
Titus 3:5This verse highlights that God saved us 'not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy,' which aligns with faith-based justification excluding boasting.
ellicottRomans 3:27: "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith."
(27-31) A review of the consequences of this process of justification. How does it affect the pretensions of the Jew? It shuts them out by laying stress no longer on works, which were the proper fulfilment of the first law as it stood, but upon faith. Faith is the true medium of justification. And faith belongs as much to Gentile as to Jew. For faith is the appointed means by which all ma…
bensonRomans 3:27: "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith."
Romans 3:27 . Where is boasting then? — The boasting of the Gentiles in their philosophy, or of the Jews in the rites of the law of Moses, as sufficient for their salvation. Or the boasting of the Jews against the Gentiles, or that of any one in his own righteousness, or on account of any peculiar privileges he may enjoy. It is excluded — This way of justification by free grace, through f…
Paul reveals that "law" doesn't always mean a set of rules to follow, but can also refer to a divine "arrangement" or "principle." Boasting is excluded not by a system of merit based on doing things, but by a divine principle centered on believing – a "law of faith."
Paul has just argued that everyone, both Jew and Gentile, is under the power of sin and falls short of God's glory. He's dismantling any idea that religious observance or heritage can earn favor with God, leading to the question of whether any boasting is left. This verse directly addresses that, explaining that the "law of faith" – the gospel's way of justification through Christ – completely excludes any room for self-praise.
Paul has just argued that everyone, both Jew and Gentile, is under the power of sin and falls short of God's glory. He's dismantling any idea that religious observance or heritage can earn favor with God, leading to the question of whether any boasting is left. This verse directly addresses that, explaining that the "law of faith" – the gospel's way of justification through Christ – completely excludes any room for self-praise.
"Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith." — Paul reveals that "law" doesn't always mean a set of rules to follow, but can also refer to a divine "arrangement" or "principle." Boasting is excluded not by a system of merit based on doing thing…
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Last reviewed October 2026