What law was Paul referring to in Romans 3:19-20?

Answer:

After detailing the sins of the Greek society, Paul said, "What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin" (Romans 3:9). The Jews, and Paul includes himself as a Jew, are no better than the Greeks because both groups sin. The advantages that the Jews had were ultimately of no consequence to the final outcome. To emphasize his point, Paul quotes numerous Old Testament statements indicating that everyone sins.

Romans 3:10-12 come from Psalms 14:1-3 and Psalms 53:1-3. “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Though the Hebrew says “does good,” Paul translates it as “just” which is in the range of mean for the Hebrew term and better fits Paul’s overall argument. “There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.” is based on Psalms 14:2. It is not a direct quote, but rather the conclusion drawn from God’s search of mankind. “They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” The word for “unprofitable” literally refers to spoiled food.

Romans 3:13 comes from Psalms 5:9 and Psalms 140:3. In Psalms 5, David is speaking about the lies and slander people speak which results in destruction (Psalms 5:6). “The asp, or adder, is a species of serpent whose poison is of such active operation that it kills almost the instant that it penetrates, and that without remedy. It is small, and commonly lies concealed, often in the sand in a road, and strikes the traveler before he sees it” [Barnes’ Notes]. Poisonous snakes store their venom in sacks under their teeth. David is comparing an asp’s bite to what happens with people who tell lies. It acts quickly and there is no remedy that will stop its destruction (Jeremiah 9:3-5)

Romans 3:14 comes from Psalms 10:7. An example can be found in Shimei taunt of David (II Samuel 16:5, 7-8). Blessings and cursing are opposites, they should not come from the same person, yet too often they do (James 3:10).

Romans 3:15-17 is a condensation of Isaiah 50:7-8. The charge is that beyond causing harm, they are eager to do so. They leave behind them destruction and misery. They are not familiar with peace.

Romans 3:18 is from Psalms 36:1. There is no restraint on their actions because they have no fear of God.

By using a variety of Old Testament sources from different time periods, Paul shows that even while the Jews lived under the Law, their own Law condemned them for failing to be obedient. This is not to say every single Jew was guilty of all these crimes, but it does prove that being a Jew did not prevent these problems. Moreover, it demonstrates that sin is a widespread, universal problem.

"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; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:19-20).

The Law charges everyone with sin (Psalms 14:3). Therefore, even those under the Law are condemned. God did so to remove any excuse that might be offered (Psalms 107:42; Acts 13:39). Both the Jews and Greeks are guilty of sin before God.

The conclusion is that mere obedience to the Law is insufficient to justify men (Psalms 143:2; Galatians 2:16; 3:11). This does not say, as too many conclude, that no obedience is necessary. Paul has only proved that obedience alone is not enough because everyone eventually fails to obey in some aspect. But implied is that there ought to be some attempt at obedience. It is why men are being held accountable.

One area of difficulty produced by the Law is that the more we understand the Law and what we ought to do, the more we realize that we come up woefully short of the ideals the Law called men to reach. Paul talks of this at greater length in Romans 7.

Therefore, in answer to your questions,

1. The context shows that Paul is specifically talking about the law recorded in the Old Testament.
2. The Old Law was completed when Malachi was penned. Malachi was the last book written. This same law was then brought to an end when Jesus died on the cross. "When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross" (Colossians 2:13-14).
3. The Old Law was a progressive revelation that took place over a thousand-year period. When people talk about amending a law system, they are changing the terms. The Old Law was rarely amended. It was clarified and applied to a variety of situations. One of the rare amendments was the priesthood. Originally, the priesthood was to be made up of the firstborn. When Israel sinned and the tribe of Levi stood with Moses, God gave the priesthood to the Levites.