Romans 3:27

Where is boasting? Since all have sinned and all have failed to establish their own righteousness by works of law, and since all are alike dependent upon the grace of God for justification, all reason for human boasting has obviously been taken away. This probably refers in particular to the pretensions of the Jews, who prided themselves on their special privileges (see ch. 2:17, 23).

Excluded. Literally, “shut out.”

By what law? Literally, “by what kind of law?” In the Greek, “law” here stands without the article (see on ch. 2:12). By “law” Paul means law in the sense of a principle.

Of works. That is, a law or principle that righteousness comes by obedience to law. Such a principle would not exclude boasting, for if a man could claim justification and righteousness on the basis of his having performed the acts demanded by law, he might have some grounds for pride and boasting (see Rom. 4:2; Eph. 2:9). There would be no place for grace.

By the law of faith. Literally, “by a law of faith.” There is no article in the Greek (see on ch. 2:12). Paul is referring to the principle of the gospel that justification and righteousness come by faith. Faith humbly and gratefully receives what God provides, and this hardly leaves room for boasting. “What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself” (TM 456).