Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 3:20

20. Therefore by the deeds of the law , there shall no flesh be justified in his sight : for by the law is the knowledge of sin .

i. e. Seeing the Gentiles, by the Law of Nature, and the Iews, by the Written Law, are thus subject to the Judgment of God; and seeing no one is able to Fulfil the Law, and satisfy for the Breach of it: Therefore, &c.

He means the Moral Law, and not the Ceremonial Law only or chiefly; even that Law that forbids Theft and Adultery, as ch. 2. and Concupiscence, as ch. 7. And by which, as this Text sayes, is the Knowledge of Sin; to which, Gentiles as well as Iews, are obliged; and by which therefore they are Condemned.

A common Synecdoche, vid. Gen. 6.3, 12. & alibi. The same with no Man living, in the Psalmist; especially being deprav'd, with original Corruption, which is called Flesh in Scripture.

Or be discharg'd in the Court of Heaven; the Phrase is taken from Psal. 143.2. vid. Annotations there.

Le[illegible: 1 letter]t any should think that the Law hereupon is useless, he goes on to shew its Use, but a quite contrary one to what they intended. It Convinceth Us of our Guilt; and therefore is far from being our Righteousness, Chap. 7.7. 1 Cor. 15.56.

Marginal references: Gal. 2.16.