The Epistle to the Romans contain a series of emphatic assertions written in the words, "Certainly not!" (NKJV). Beginning with chapter six, we see:
Romans 6:1,2a NKJV
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!
Romans 6:15
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!
Romans 7:7
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! . . .
Romans 7:12,13
. . . the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not!
Romans 9:14
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!
Finally, let's return to Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
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Each of the above assertions, expressed emphatically in the NKJV as, "Certainly not!" are absolute invariants, completely undeniable and non-negotiable. Under no circumstances are they to be changed, modified or watered-down in any way whatsoever.
These assertions are sign posts that stand out among all the explanation, reasoning and arguments presented by Paul in Romans chapters 3 to 9, alerting the reader to the real meaning behind all the polemics written therein.
Thus the teaching in Romans chapter 5 that righteous act of one man - the Anointed One - by the grace of God, is a free gift of justification to all people, is guarded by the absolute sign post of Romans 6:1 and 6:15, that we shall certainly not sin just because we are justified under such grace from God.
Likewise, the teaching in Romans chapter 7 that through the body of the Anointed One we have been released from the penalty of the Torah, that we have "died to the Law" is guarded by the unchangeable sign-post of Romans 7:7 and 7:12, that the Torah is certainly not sin and that it has certainly not brought death to us. Instead, the commandments in the Torah are holy, just and good.
Last, but not least, the teaching in Romans chapter3 that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith, apart from the deeds of the Torah, is guarded by the undeniable and immoveable sign-post of Romans 3:31, that we certainly do not make void the Torah through our faith.
Au contraire! We uphold the Torah.
Brothers and sisters, let us beware of false teachings that ignore these sign posts.
