What does it mean that we establish the law (Romans 3:31)?

The book of Romans addresses the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the context of the gospel. In the early chapters, the apostle Paul focuses on the universality of sin, the inadequacy of the law to save, and the doctrine of justification by faith. While teaching that believers are justified by faith alone (Romans 3:21–31), Paul makes this foundational statement, “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (verse 28). Yet, not wanting readers to misunderstand, Paul clarifies, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31, NKJV).

A misconception existed among believers in Paul’s day and persists to this day. Some suppose that if justification (and salvation) comes by faith and not by observing the law, then the moral law is diminished in importance, rendering it obsolete or irrelevant. Paul wanted his readers to understand that faith does not nullify or void the law but instead reinforces it. The Greek verb (histanomen) translated as “we establish” in Romans 3:31 comes from a verb that means “to confirm or assert the legal validity; to uphold; to stand; to make firm.” The NLT renders Paul’s statement this way: “Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law” (Romans 3:31, NLT).

Salvation “by grace through faith” (see Ephesians 2:8–9; Galatians 2:16) establishes the law in several ways: First, through Jesus Christ’s perfect fulfillment of the law’s requirements and His sacrificial death to pay its penalties.

God sent His Son, “born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). Jesus came to fulfill the law in every way (Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4). Paul states, “Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. . . . The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith” (Galatians 3:23–24, NLT).

Jesus gave His life on the cross to satisfy the requirements of the law and end sin’s control over humanity (see Romans 8:3–4; see also 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 9:15). He took the punishment we deserved under the law for our sins: “Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing” (Galatians 3:13, NLT).

Second, “we establish the law” through the Holy Spirit’s work of writing God’s law on our hearts. Citing from Jeremiah 31:31–34, the writer of Hebrews quotes, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Hebrews 8:10; see also Hebrews 10:16; 2 Corinthians 3:3). Through faith in Jesus, God’s indwelling Spirit enables us to say like Paul and the psalmist, “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law” (Romans 7:22; cf. Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:35).

Once we trust in Christ for salvation, the law no longer condemns us to a life of sin and death. Instead, we are set free to be guided by the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:2). Our faith does not make us lawless; rather, it produces in us a new obedience. We have a desire to follow God’s law, which grows from love and gratitude, rather than fear of punishment or mere rule-keeping.

Third, “we establish the law” through Christian discipleship, that is, our voluntary adherence to the law as a guide for godly living, not as a means of justification (see Matthew 28:19–20; Luke 9:23–24; Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17; Titus 3:1). Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Many of the ceremonial or civil aspects of the Mosaic Law are no longer necessary or binding, but the moral laws—the ethical standards rooted in God’s character—remain valid and are established through faith. For example, faith does not eliminate the moral obligation to love God and others (see Matthew 22:36–40) but enables us to live out these commands with new power and motivation. In this sense, our faith establishes the law.

The law reveals sin, sets a standard of righteousness, and exposes humanity’s need for grace. Christ, through His obedience and sacrifice, fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law (Romans 8:4). Through faith in Jesus, believers receive the righteousness of God the law demands, not through works, but as a gift of grace (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21–22; Philippians 3:9). Thus, faith does not set aside the law’s requirements but establishes them in Christ.

Far from nullifying God’s law, faith in Christ affirms its proper role—pointing to Christ, revealing sin, and guiding believers in righteous living. The law is not our adversary, but our partner: it exposes our need for God and His grace. Through His grace, we are empowered to fulfill the law’s true intent. For Christians today, faith should lead neither to lawlessness nor to legalism, but to a transformed life in which we establish the law in heart, mind, and daily devotion to Christ.