ROMANS CHAPTER -3
“No One Is Righteous” Vs “Free Justification from God”
“There is no one righteous, not even one” [Rom 3-10]
“They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”[Rom 3-24]
Chapter 3 is summarizing the facts explained in chapter 1 &2. Because through chapter 1 & 2 Paul establishes the fact that both the Gentiles and Jews are guilty before God and both Jews and Gentiles need a Savior! All has to choose the single and same WAY for them to escape from the judgment of God! All need the Gospel which is the power of God to make one Righteous by faith in Him. Righteousness received as a free gift -not from the work of the Law!
Introduction-Chapter 3.
• [3:4]”Let God be true, and every human being a liar”
• [3:9]”Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin”
• [3:10]”There is no one righteous, not even one”
• [3:19]”Whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law”
• [3:20]”No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law ”
• [3:20]”Through the law we become conscious of our sin”
• [3:22]So “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile”
• [3:23]”Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
• [3:24]”But all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”
• [3:25]”God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood to be received by faith”
• [3:25]”God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus”
• [3:29]”There is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith”
• [3:27]”So we don’t have anything to boast in”
Detailed Study- Chapter3.
Rom – [1-4]. What is the advantage of being a Jew?
1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 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.”
In chapter 2 Paul has established the fact that possession of the law or the circumcision will not save a Jewish person. So what’s the advantage of being Gods chosen people? Much in every way. First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God and are the witness of God amongst the gentiles.. Also the many advantages of Jewish people are further mentioned in chapter 9! Even though they are unfaithful to his word, God is still faithful and just! Because our God is still a covenant keeping God! Jews unbelief does not change the very nature of God, neither their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect. Rather it uplifted the very faithfulness of God and reality of mankind that “Every man is a liar and only God is true”. Even though the Jewish people had rejected the Gospel in that point in time when Paul was preaching among them initially, the Gospel is still the Power of God for saving the mankind. A righteous and equal platform for the salvation for all- For the gentiles and Jews alike!
Rom [5-8] Righteousness of God and the unrighteousness of man!
5But 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 some slanderously claim that we say—”Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
An intelligent arguments is bringing in here by Paul is that an objection between the unrighteousness of man and the righteousness of God.. It’s like someone making counter argument that” “If my unrighteousness will demonstrate God’s righteousness, how can God judge me? My sin ultimately serves to bring Him more glory, and then how can you condemn me as a sinner? After all I did good to get more glory to God!! If its so, don’t you think God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us…
Paul gives the clarification immediately after this argument saying …Certainly not! Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? Paul dismisses the question of his opponent easily. If things were such as his opponent suggested, then God could judge no one! But the point which Paul wants to bring in here is that the Righteousness of God in saving the sinners – the falsehood of man which will manifest the truthfulness of God and so in increasing His glory!
The question statement” let us do evil that good may result” have repeatedly raised in the book of Romans [ Rom 3:8,6:1,6:15]. All the time it was raised in pertaining to Gods righteousness and its power to make the sinner righteous and Holy through His amazing grace. But the answer to this question was always “Certainly not”! Because God is repeatedly saying that He is greater than our sins—where sin abounds, His grace abounds much more. (Romans 5:20). His righteousness endures forever!
Rom [9-20] No One Is Righteous- By the Law is the Knowledge of Sin!
9 “What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.
10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
11″ there is no one who understands; there is 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 God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
The fact is that the Jewish person is no more right with God than the Gentiles. All under sin and therefore, under condemnation and “sold under sin. There is no advantage of being a Jew considering sin and righteousness .Paul understands our complete inability to save ourselves from the clutches of sins. No one under the Sun is righteous! Not even one! From head [mind] to feet the depravity and guilt of mankind is displayed through the eyes of God. A reality to be realized and accepted! The writer points out every part of man’s body is into guilt-throat, tongue, lips, mouth, feet, eyes- are all are filled with sin and rebellion against God. There is none who seeks after God, all have together become unprofitable and there is no fear of God before their eyes…
Surely there is no one righteous! Not even one! Except Jesus Christ! The perfect Man!
Some Jews might comments that it’s all about the gentiles, surely not about us.. Paul answers them saying “Whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law. “So are you under law and boasting its pocession? Then it’s for you man! Why did Paul stress this point? “So that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.” Humanity will stand before the judgment seat of God, and the result will be “no one will be declared righteous in his sight by the works of the law.”
Law is Gods standard! By the holy standard of this law, we all fall short of the glory of God! Then why did God gave this law? Paul answers here by saying “Rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” The law sets a standard of righteousness, but because we sin, the law can never tell us that we are righteous. The Law is designed to know what is good and bad! It brings the awareness of sins! It has no power to remove your sins, rather it condemns you! It tells us that we are sinners, we are guilty.. 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. ! It is evident that by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in Gods sight .Only Jesus can save you and justify you! And He does it on the cross for you and me! Because law keeping was never Gods way of Salvation! Gods Way of salvation is Jesus Christ!
Rom [21-26] Righteousness from God – By Faith!
Now that we could summarize the fact that “No one is Righteous” and have a right standing with God! We all would be in need of a solution to stand righteous in the eyes of the righteous Judge and be saved from the penalty of sin! That is what is precisely the book of Romans portraying through all its chapters.
The word “righteousness” is used more than 50 times in this book itself! The God given Righteousness! The Everlasting righteousness brought forth by Jesus Christ! The righteousness which is revealed in the Gospel and received it as a revelation from God as a free gift!
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] 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— 26 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.
But now the Righteousness of God apart from law is revealed which is witnessed by the law and the prophets! This Righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe in Him! This righteousness is for Jews and Gentiles alike! Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are in need of a fix! So God took the step for each one of us by sending His son to bear the penalty for each one of us guilt and redeem us by His blood! God presented Jesus Christ as sacrifice atonement through the shedding of His blood! So all of us are freely justified by His grace through this redemption that came through Jesus Christ’s finished work on cross! The death of Jesus satisfies the righteous judgment of God.
God does it to demonstrate His righteousness, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. This is the new covenant which God established in the blood of Jesus Christ! Because the law cannot save us, but God revealed a righteousness that would save us, apart from the law. This is the essence of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ; it is a salvation that is offered apart from the law, apart from our own earning and deserving, apart from our own merits. It’s being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. This was the plan from eternity! The prophets and laws are witnesses to it. The Old Testament said this righteousness was coming. Now it’s been fulfilled in Jesus Christ and available to each and every one in planet earth!.
The righteousness of God is not ours by faith; it is ours through faith. We do not earn righteousness by our faith. We receive righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no other way to obtain this righteousness. This righteousness is not earned through obedience to the law; it is a received righteousness, imputed righteousness gained through faith in Jesus Christ.
Rom [27-31]-Where then is Boasting? All are Equal and Salvation is Free!
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or 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.
It settles the matter that there is nothing to be boasted for any one, neither to the Jews and nor to the Gentiles. Because all are justified freely by God’s grace leaving no room for self-credit! Nothing to do with good deeds, nothing to do with Law keeping! Therefore we can conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. And our God is a God of Jews and Gentiles alike. Because there is only one God who justifies the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through the same faith. Same channel for all! No partiality! Righteous but Loving God!
Having clarified all the above points one can ask what of the law then for? Can we then nullify the law through faith? Not at all! The Law shows up the need of a Savior! The gospel does not contradict the law, but it puts law in its proper place. The law was never designed as a means of salvation. But the need of Salvation – freedom from the demanding requirement of the law – was clear throughout the law, so that everyone can welcome the savior into their heart and be saved by upholding the law!
Summary!
How do people become right with God?
In chapter 3 Paul is explaining that the righteousness that the law was powerless to give us, God did by sending Jesus. He maintains that this righteousness comes by faith to all who believe in Christ Jesus apart from the law keeping. God provided Jesus Christ as an atonement sacrifice to the mankind “to demonstrate His Righteousness” — to show that he is faithful to his promises and “All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”. Because of what Jesus did, we can be made right, and it is done as a gift, by God’s grace. By doing so God made Jews and Gentiles righteous in the same way, and that is through faith, not through the law. So that No one can boast!
In order for you to understand the full essence of this revelation – “Righteousness by Faith”- which is the key word of Bible itself, you may need to go through the entire chapters of the book of Romans. The progressive study from chapter to chapter will unfold the very power of Gospel and the formation of Church –”Christians- The Body Of Christ”
– which is the mystery kept hidden secret from the ages and now revealed to us through this Gospel message . I encourage you to reign in your life through this free GIFT of RIGHTEOSNESS by welcoming Christ in your life! God loves you very much and sees you Righteous and Holy in Christ! In Christ only!
