May 17, 2023 – Wednesday
Romans 3:21-24 NIV
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 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.
Romans 3:21-24 NKJV
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Comments
Paul had just finished writing verses 9-20 about how no one is righteous, not one. He quotes freely from Psalms throughout as well as Ecclesiasticus (7:20 in verse 12) and Isaiah (59:7,8 in verses 15-17). Then, in our verses for today, he sets out how one may obtain righteousness through faith and faith alone.
He begins with 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. There is a way to righteousness. It is apart from the law. It is the righteousness of God and Paul wants us to know it has been made known and known such that the Law and the Prophets testify to it! Paul is given grief for his complicated writing from time to time, but here he simply states very directly, 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. And just to be clear he adds, 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.
Jew or Gentile, the only way to righteousness is This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. It does not come through the deeds of the law, it is apart from the law. Nor do we gain righteousness by our faith. No, we receive righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ! Morris writes, Through faith “points to the fact that faith is not a merit, earning salvation. It is no more than the means through which the gift is given.”
Effectively, Matthew Henry writes, God has promised that they who believe in Christ shall be pardoned and saved. This is his plan in distinction from the plan of those who seek to be justified by works. Why does Paul say There is no difference between Jew and Gentile? Because 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. No one, Jew or Gentile, can claim special status with God. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe that This righteousness is given.
Bottom Line: We who choose to believe and have faith in Jesus Christ are granted righteousness through our faith by God and God alone. Faith and trust in what Jesus did on the cross leads to salvation and a righteousness we never knew nor deserved.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Salvation, justification, and righteousness You make possible for us out of Your love for us through Your incredible mercy and patience. We are so very thankful for all of Your blessings. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.,
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek