I'm not sure how to answer that because we disagree on the meaning of the phrase "Deeds of the Law".
if I understand you, you see that phrase has referring to Commandments that God told Moses to tell the Levites regarding certain sacrifices relating to forgiving Sins.
I see the phrase as referring to actions that are prescribed by the law in general.
in Romans chapter 3 Paul is first talking about the Jews, then he talks about everyone Jews and gentiles.
if I understand you, you see that phrase has referring to Commandments that God told Moses to tell the Levites regarding certain sacrifices relating to forgiving Sins.
I see the phrase as referring to actions that are prescribed by the law in general.
in Romans chapter 3 Paul is first talking about the Jews, then he talks about everyone Jews and gentiles.
What did the Jews do to get so messed up?
Rom. 1:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
We know Jesus also explained what their downfall was.
Matt. 15:
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
and again:
Matt. 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
We know the Jews were pushing their version of the Law of Moses.
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
The Jews were preaching that unless the Gentiles followed their religion, they couldn't be saved. We know they did the Tithing, and the Priesthood duties Moses commanded, but not the "weightier matter of the Law", like showing Mercy to people, and Using God's Judgment, and trusting in God which is the command of Faith.
In romans 2 Paul is explaining the perfection and judgment of God.
Rom. 2:
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
The Jews had rejected God's instructions and had created their own as Jesus said. This is Evil, not Good. Because as the Law and Prophets teaches from the beginning to the end:
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
This is the Same thing Jesus said over and over and over, both as the Word, and as the Man Jesus.
But the Pharisees were still sticking to their version of the Law of Moses for justification of sin.
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
In Romans 3 Paul is continuing his conversation about them that started in Romans 1.
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
So what if some didn't believe in Mercy, Just Judgment, Faith, all parts of God's Law? Shall their unbelief make these void?
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? ( tithing, animal sacrifice, the sprinkling of Blood) Nay: but by the law of faith. ( "Mercy, Judgment, Faith, that they had omitted.) Jesus said they should have "DONE" these and not let the others undone.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Remember, Jesus forgave sins "Without the Deeds of the Law" having not killed even one goat, or sprinkled even one drop of blood for 3 years. But He did walk in Mercy, Faith and Judgment of His Father. This "Change" this "New Covenant" was promised in Jer. 3.
Therefore, Paul is not saying man is not justified by obedience to the Law of Faith which is "mercy" (Love your neighbor) Judgment ( I am God, you are not) and Faith ( "Deny our self, take up our cross and follow the invisible Him)
He is saying the Jews were not justified by the Levitical Priesthood "works of the Law" added 430 years after Abraham. (Levi wasn't even born yet)
This is why Paul can say: "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God."
sorry for the long post. Please examine it closely and let me know where I am in error if you think I am.
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