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Romans 3 Righteousness through Faith

1 God’s Faithfulness
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?

2 Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?

4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written:
“So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge.”

5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)

6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?

7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?”

8 Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved.

9 No One Is Righteous
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;

11 there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.

12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”

13 “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”

14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 ruin and misery mark their ways,

17 and the way of peace they do not know.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

21 Righteousness Through Faith
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.

28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,

30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

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Analysis of Romans Chapter 3

Romans Chapter 3 is a profound piece of scripture that discusses the universality of sin and the righteousness of God, culminating with a detailed explanation of justification by faith. This chapter is fundamental to understanding the basis of Christian doctrine, particularly regarding human nature, sin, and salvation. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, context, and interpretive insights of each section of Romans 3.

The Universality of Sin (Romans 3:1-20)

Paul begins Romans 3 by addressing an anticipated question from his readers: what advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? He answers his query in verses 1-2:

“Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.” (Romans 3:2, NIV)

Paul acknowledges that the Jews were privileged to be the custodians of God’s revelations. However, he progresses to dismantle any notion of inherent superiority due to this privilege. In verses 3-4, Paul argues that Jewish unbelief does not nullify God’s faithfulness, emphasizing that God’s truth stands regardless of human failure:

“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: ‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.'” (Romans 3:3-4, NIV)

In verses 5-8, Paul tackles a potential misinterpretation of his message by addressing whether human unrighteousness can showcase God’s righteousness more clearly. He refutes the argument that doing evil could bring about a good result, therefore excusing sinful behavior. This underscores the principle that God’s judgment is based not on human logic but on divine righteousness.

The crux of Paul’s argument comes in verses 9-18, where he emphatically declares the universality of sin. Drawing from the Old Testament scriptures, Paul stitches together several references to substantiate that both Jews and Gentiles are alike under the power of sin:

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one…” (Romans 3:10-12, NIV)

This segment powerfully captures human depravity and the inherent sinfulness of all humankind, making it clear that no one can claim moral superiority based on race, tradition, or personal merit.

Verse 19-20 conclude this section by stating that the law’s primary function is not to justify but to make people conscious of their sinfulness:

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (Romans 3:20, NIV)

The Righteousness of God and Justification by Faith (Romans 3:21-31)

The tone of the chapter shifts in verse 21 with the pivotal declaration of righteousness achieved through faith, independent of the law:

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.” (Romans 3:21, NIV)

This verse introduces the watershed concept that God’s righteousness is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, a theme that underscores the New Testament’s message of grace. Paul reaffirms that this righteousness is accessible to all who believe, without distinction:

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24, NIV)

Paul integrates the universality of sin with the universality of salvation through faith in Christ. This section underscores that justification comes not by human effort but by God’s grace, as a gift – a radical departure from the legalistic interpretation of righteousness.

In verses 25-26, Paul explicates the concept of atonement, explaining how Jesus’ sacrificial death demonstrates God’s righteousness:

“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:25-26, NIV)

The term “sacrifice of atonement” (or “propitiation” in some translations) harks back to the Old Testament concept of sacrifices for sins. Paul emphasizes that in Christ, God exhibits both justice (by dealing with sin) and mercy (by justifying the sinner).

To forestall any claims of boasting or self-righteousness among believers, Paul asserts that boasting is excluded because justification is by faith, not by works:

“Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” (Romans 3:27-28, NIV)

This reorients the understanding of the Law. The Law is not invalidated; rather, its purpose is redefined. It brings awareness of sin but cannot be the basis for justification.

Verses 29-30 further reinforce the universality and inclusivity of this justification:

“Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.” (Romans 3:29-30, NIV)

Paul highlights that God’s plan of salvation encompasses all people, emphasizing the unity and equality of Jews and Gentiles in the eyes of God.

The closing verse of the chapter anticipates a rhetorical question about the law’s relevance post-faith:

“Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” (Romans 3:31, NIV)

Paul clarifies that faith does not abolish the law but upholds it, establishing that the law finds its true fulfillment in leading people to Christ and revealing the necessity of faith for righteousness.

Interpretive Insights and Contemporary Application

Romans Chapter 3 remains crucial for contemporary Christian theology and practice. Its emphasis on the universality of sin and the provision of justification through faith in Christ provides several insights applicable to modern believers:

  1. The Equality of All Humans in Sinfulness: Paul’s message underscores that every person, regardless of background, is fundamentally in need of grace. This challenges any form of discrimination or spiritual elitism within religious communities.
  2. Justification by Faith Alone: The doctrine of justification by faith apart from works of the law emphasizes dependence on God’s grace rather than human effort. This is central to evangelical Christian belief and stresses humility and gratitude among the faithful.
  3. The Role of the Law: Understanding that the law’s purpose is to expose sin paves the way for a deeper appreciation of Christ’s sacrifice and the necessity of grace. It also clarifies the relationship between the Old Testament law and New Testament faith.
  4. The Inclusivity of the Gospel: The universal offer of salvation through faith in Christ highlights the unity of all believers and the mission to reach every nation, tribe, and tongue with the good news.

Paul’s theological discourse in Romans 3 bridges the historical and the contemporary, inviting readers to reflect on their position before God and the profound simplicity of receiving righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. It is an invitation to relinquish self-reliance and embrace the redemptive work accomplished by Christ.

In summary, Romans 3 provides a robust theological foundation upon which the Christian understanding of sin, law, grace, and faith is built. It elegantly unravels the inherent sinfulness of humanity and elevates the boundless mercy of God. The chapter calls for a response of faith and worship, grounded in the revelation of God’s righteousness apart from the law, manifested in Jesus Christ for all who believe.