Romans 3:20

Therefore] RV 'because.' The deeds of the law] RM 'works of law,' i.e. done to merit salvation by fulfilling an appointed task: cp. Romans 7:7; Galatians 3:19; Galatians 3:21. 'Law is a factor in the moral life fitted to acquaint the intellect with the divine standard of conduct, but incapable of bringing the life of man into harmony with its precepts' (Robertson, HDB.). No flesh] cp. Psalms 143:2.

21-26. The way of acceptance declared in the Christian message is independent of law (Romans 3:21), a free gift from God through faith in Christ (Romans 3:22), and made possible because Christ's death was propitiatory (Romans 3:25).

Paraphrase. '(21) We have seen that by obedience to law none can enter into acceptance with God because none have rendered it. Now a way of acceptance has been revealed which has nothing to do with law, to which both Law and Prophets bear witness. (22) God accepts all, without distinction, who have devoted their hearts to Jesus Christ. (23) I say all, and the want is universal. All alike have sinned, and feel far off from God. (24) But God's gracious favour is such, that He accepts them without question of merit, through the deliverance from sin and its penalty which Christ purchased, and which we receive by union with Him. (25) For on the Cross He offered up His life, to restore to the favour of God all who by faith appropriate that offering. In that awful spectacle God manifested His righteous displeasure against sin, forbidding us to attribute to indifference the forbearance by which He passed over, without adequate punishment, sins committed before Christ came. (26) In the death of Christ He so then displayed, I say, His judgment against sin, that now the perfect holiness of His character is vindicated, and He can also accept those who have faith in Jesus.'