There are many ways to skin a cat (or so they tell me). There are many different ways to lead a successful Growth Group meeting through the bible. Here is a link to one more helpful approach to reading the bible and thinking through its meaning and impact. It’s just another method to add to your toolbox of ways to discuss the bible. The article helpfully reminds us that the ingredients in discipleship making are the reading of scripture, relationships and time.
Paul, writing a faith and relationship building letter to the early church in Rome, stated his thesis in 1:16-17 – namely, that he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God to bring salvation to all who believe. In those versus he states that this same salvation is for the Jews as well as the non-Jews and that the righteous will live – by faith. He began in 1:18 to explain these two important sentences.
He reaches the end of a major teaching at 3:20 – the law does not make anybody righteous, it simply shines the light on our sin and our sin will find us all guilty before God.
Structure of Romans 3:21-31
21-22a – The Law reveals the righteousness of God
22b-24 – The righteousness of God means judgement has no favourites and salvation has no favourites
25-26 – the atonement reveals God’s righteousness
27-31 – boasting is removed and only faith remains
Comments on the text
V21
‘Righteousness’ is to be right with God – to be at peace instead of in conflict with God. Those who will pass God’s perfect judgement and declared righteous (see rom 2:5,13). To be safe from God’s wrath, we need to be righteous in his sight.
The law and the prophets (the Old Testament) prophecy or speak about a righteousness of God. It is superior to the law. God and his righteousness are not subject to the law but the other way around.
V22
This righteousness (being declared right with God) is a gift! This is what grace means – to receive righteousness when we do not deserve it!
It is not given to all humanity but to those who would believe in Christ and put their faith or trust in Christ. This is no light sentence to be glanced over. Paul has been describing the guilt of all humanity and the wrath of God on all of us since Romans 1:18! Now he states who and why we can be saved! Our salvation is through trusting in Jesus instead of the law, instead of our goodness, instead of religion, instead of our best wishes. There is an object for our faith and that is Jesus and no other. It is not enough to simply be a person of faith if that faith is in anything or anyone else!
But there is no limit to the number of people who can be saved – it is available to ALL who believe. If you believe, then you can be assured of your salvation.
For both Jew and gentile – Paul has been consistently proving this for the last two chapters. Regardless of who you are, this gospel is for you to hear and respond to in faith.
Vv23-24
Paul States plainly again that all are guilty and all have access to salvation through one means. John 14:6
Redemption is through Christ. We have all fallen short of God’s glory but Jesus has paid the difference. Our guilt makes us indebted to God with a debt we cannot pay – but Jesus has redeemed us like you redeem something from the op shop. He has paid the price owed. Paul goes on in verse 25 to explain this very thing.
V25
Paul said in verse 21 that the law and the prophets testify to this righteousness of God. Here in verse 25 he shows that the vocab of the law is used to explain how Christ has redeemed those who believe.
Atonement – describing how two parties are unified – ‘at-one-ment’
For sacrifice of atonement see Leviticus 16:15-16
The sacrificial and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament are prophesying of the one true atonement for sin which was Christ shedding his blood on the cross. Colossians 1:20
God’s righteousness is revealed because he proves himself to deal with our sins according to the requirements of the law. Through the crucifixion we see God acting perfectly and justly with sin – not just ignoring it but holding back his wrath until he deals with it though his own Son – that is, the Christ – the messiah – the suffering servant of Isaiah’s prophecy. NB God is not subject to the law but he saves in accordance with it because the law was given to point us to that salvation!
V26
Therefore he remains just when he declares sinners justified (righteous) if their trust is in Jesus.
V27-31
These verses need no breakdown because they draw to conclusion all that he has said. They support Paul’s argument at the beginning of the chapter when he insisted (‘certainly not!’) that God is right and people are wrong. God has not broken his promises or the law but has upheld the law! (v31)
The law that requires works verses the law that requires faith – to boast in the law that requires you to obey it and remain righteous is an empty boast because it only highlights your sin. But to boast in the law that is by faith is to boast in the works of Christ who has fulfilled the law and redeemed us by faith! We trust Jesus rather than our own works.
Paul will boast in this just as he proclaimed in 1:16 ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel’
Themes
Righteousness – how do you get right with God and stay there? This is the crucial question of the bible.
Redemption – the process of being paid for.
The law and the prophets testify or bear witness to the true gospel of God. They prophecy of this righteousness of God who acts rightly in every way and who gives us the gift of his righteousness when we hear the gospel and believe.
Salvation by grace alone through faith (eph 2:8-10)
God is right when he acts.
Faith beats law!
Application
Repent and believe the good news
There is one verdict for all humanity: guilty. There is one way to be saved: the atoning sacrifice of Christ. This is the good news that Paul was so keen and obligated to preach (1:14-15). And we too ought to be keen and obligated to proclaim it.
Paul has helped us understand Romans 1:17 – from faith to faith – saved through faith from first to last. Works has nothing to do with it!
Questions
Paul has layed down the gospel for us. Can you explain the gospel without using the same words that Paul has used?
What place does works play in the life of a Christian? Be careful how you answer this that you don’t make works part of your need to be saved.
Name one thing that is more important than this message of salvation. How does your answer affect decisions in your life for work, money spending, teaching children and basically everything? Your prayers?
Paul uses the word ‘you’ in these verses instead of ‘they’ of verses 1:18-32
‘You’ have no excuse – this draws the previous condemnation passage into the life of the reader (1:20 ‘people are without excuse’)
The logic of vv1-4 seem to be: notice how easy it is for you to judge others – and notice how you actually fail in the same areas where you judge others – and notice how God is a judge who will judge perfectly (based on truth) – therefore you are not going to dodge God’s judgement yourself!
Here is a clear piece of text: v6 “God will repay each person according to what they have done.”
Verse 8 identifies that the judgement of God on the wicked is with wrath and anger – in contrast to the present condition of kindness and forbearance mentioned in verse 4. Also verse 9 describes it as trouble and distress.
Knowing the law (or indeed having access to church and a bible) is not what makes us righteous – it is obeying the law – living out the law of God.
Paul argues in verses 12-16 that it’s not just the Jews who will be given a pass/fail test on the day of judgement but the whole human race who demonstrate an awareness of justice.
There will be a day when God judges people (v16)
God will judge what is obvious to all and also what has been kept secret from all (v16)
Questions
Does verse 7 indicate that it is possible to actually receive eternal life by always doing good? Answer: that is true logically in the context of Paul’s argument. But he is trying to make a more firmer point her – that this is impossible and therefore all will be judged as unrighteous/sinners.
Does this leave everybody guilty and unable to pass the test of judgement on the last day? Where is the hope in this passage? Is it there? ANSWER: v16 and verse 4 provide the hope of this passage but the weight of judgement day must be felt in these paragraphs because this is the point of the passage.
Repetitive themes
The wrath of God
The judgement of God
Jew and Gentile
Law
Other bible passages related to this text
Psalm 62:12 is quoted in verse 6 – it is worth reading that quote and comparing how it is used in the Psalm verses Paul’s conclusion in Romans. Also Prov 24:10-12.
Romans 1:16-17 describe the importance of the gospel to Pauls theme in this whole letter. Speaking of God’s judgement is part of this gospel (2:16).
Romans 3:25-26 – Although none of us will stand before God righteous by our own merits on the day of judgement, God has provided righteousness for us through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice means that God can justify the unrighteous and yet remain just as he judges!
Application
Be on our knees in repentance
Don’t show contempt for God’s kindness and patience – know that he is holding off judgement so that we and the rest of humanity may have a chance to hear the gospel and live!
Pray for more full-time workers to go and tell the good news! (Romans 1:15-16)
Learn how to share the gospel with others
Prayer
Father God, we give you thanks and praise you for your patience and kindness toward us. We thank you for the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ and for our opportunity to repent of our wickedness. We are truly sorry for thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. Thank you for your forgiveness. Help us, we pray, to know your gospel and to share it with those around us. Amen.
More Questions
What does righteousness mean?
How does this passage impact our approach to social work – eg, charity, health care, etc
