Forum of Four - 01 Rom 3:22-24
Forum of Four
Bible Verse Analysis
Stephen Hustedde
Verse: Romans 3:22-24
Romans 3:21-24 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; (NASB)
What does it say?
1. Context
BOOK: The Epistle to the Romans is a great theological treatise. The Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Rome (there were probably many house churches similar to that of Aquilla and Priscilla (Romans 16:5), and so Paul no doubt expected this letter to be circulated to the various groups meeting in or near the city. These churches would include both Jew and Gentile believers. In Romans, Paul addresses major theological themes of sinfulness, salvation, sanctification, and God’s sovereignty within the whole process.
PRECEDING VERSES: If God is impartial towards all men (2:11), and all men are condemned by the Law or the instinctive law written within their hearts (2:12ff), then is there any advantage to being a Jew? Paul starts the third chapter of Romans with this question. Being a Jew, means that there is knowledge of God and His law and thus there is accountability to God. The Law makes us cognizant of our sinful nature, but the Law is unable to make us righteous according to God’s standards. (3:20).
2. Key Words
Law: The Mosaic Law (The Ten Commandments; The Pentateuch).
Righteousness – Webster: “acting in accord with divine or moral law” STRONG’S: Used 92x – always “righteousness”. A condition or state that is acceptable to or approved by God; “state of him who is as he ought to be”
Faith – Webster: “allegiance to duty or a person; belief and trust in God; complete trust; fidelity to one’s promises”
Distinction – something that sets one apart from another; difference
Sinned – transgression of God’s law GR; ἁμαρτανω (hamartanō) – to miss the mark (archery term)
Fall Short – (Strong’s): 16x – “lack”, “want”, “fail” “to be left behind in a race; or fail to reach the goal.” To suffer want”; “to lack excellence or worth” ILLUS: running for a TD on the last play of the game only to be stopped inches short.
Glory – praise and honor; beauty and splendor; magnificence;
Justified – Webster: “to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable; to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation” GR: δικαιόω (dik ai o o)– “to render righteous”; “to declare or pronounce one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be.”
Gift – Webster: “something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation”
Grace – Webster: “unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification; Approval; Favor; Privilege”
Redemption – Webster on REDEEM: “to buy back; to release from debt or blame” GR: apolutrosis - Occurs 10x – “redemption” 9x and “deliverance” once. “a releasing effected by payment of ransom.” Ransom price? Blood of Jesus (Eph 1:7)
3. Key References
All have sinned
· Ecclesiastes 7:20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. (NASB)
· 1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (NASB)
We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ
· Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, (NASB)
· Colossians 1:13-14 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NASB)
· Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (NASB)
· 1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, (NASB)
· Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (NASB)
· Titus 3:5-7 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (NASB)
What does it mean?
1. Observations / Implications
· But now – CONTRAST – Then: The righteousness of God had been made manifest in the Law. Things are different now – the righteousness of God has been made manifest in Jesus Christ.
· The manifestation of God’s righteousness is a past act (GR: perfect tense – a past act with present implications or results). “being witnessed” is in the present tense. The Law is still valid as it currently bears witness of the Son.
· The manifestation of God’s character in His Son is separate from the Law, but the Law and the Prophets pointed to the Son (e.g. blood sacrifice for sin).
· The righteousness of God is also manifested in those who put their faith and belief in the Son.
· Believers have two things in common: 1.) we’ve all fallen short of God’s expectations; 2.) We’ve all been justified (declared righteous) based on the gift of His grace.
· A ransom price was paid for our salvation. (The gift was costly.)
WUEST’S WORD STUDIES IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: This grace shown the believing sinner is made possible, Paul says, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. “Redemption” is apolutrōseōs (ἀπολυτρωσεως), the verbal form of which is apolutroō (ἀπολυτροω), “to redeem by paying the lutron price.” There are three words translated “redeem,” agorazō (ἀγοραζω), “to buy in the slave market” (I Cor. 6:20, 7:23, II Pet. 2:1), Christ bought us in this slave market of sin by His own blood; believers are His bondslaves; exagorazō (ἐξαγοραζω), “to buy out of the slave market” (Gal. 3:13, 4:5), the redeemed are never to be put up for sale in any slave market again; and lutroō (λυτροω), “to set free by paying a price” (Tit. 2:14, I Pet. 1:18); the believer is set free from sin and free to live a life pleasing to God in the power of the Holy Spirit. The redemption price, the precious blood of Jesus, makes it possible for a righteous God to justify a believing sinner on the basis of justice satisfied. This Paul proceeds to explain in the next two verses.[1]
2. Paraphrase in Your Own Words
While the Law is unable to save us, God has manifested Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we are saved if we simply trust in Him. No one is saved any other way, for none of us are able to save ourselves through our own efforts. Jesus bought us out of the “sin slavery” market.
How do I apply this to my life?
Sins to Avoid
Promises from God
1.) My salvation is a gift from God! It’s not based on any thing I do or fail to do, but on the redemptive price of the blood of Jesus.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS?
· Nothing I do earns salvation, therefore nothing I do can cause me to lose it.
· Caution of being saved by grace but trying to earn God’s favor post-salvation (walk by grace)
2.) I’ve been set free from sin and am now a bondservant of Christ.
Examples to Follow
Commands to Obey
Knowledge about God
God doesn’t play favorites – there is no distinction between people.
How would I teach this truth?
Issue:
ILLUS: Florida State had not lost to an ACC rival since joining the conference in 1992. They were 29-0 in their conference. Ranked #1 in the nation, they found themselves trailing Virginia on Oct. 26, 1995 by a score of 33-28 with 6:13 to play. Led by QB Danny Kanell, the Seminoles made it to the 6 yard line with 4 seconds to go. They handed the ball off to Warrick Dunn, one of the nation’s top running backs. But he is stopped at the goal line an inch short as time runs out and Virginia hangs on to defeat Florida State, 33-28 in a game on Nov. 2, 1995. The loss cost FSU a shot at the national title and an undefeated season.
An inch short didn’t count for a score according to the NCAA rules. Like Dunn, we fall short in life of reaching God’s scoring standards. Some of us may miss the goal line by yards, other by inches. But Romans 3:23 says we ALL “fall short”. In the Greek, the term Paul uses that is rendered “fall short” is ὑστερέω (Hustero). It means to fail to reach a goal, but on the flip side is also translated to be left wanting, or to be destitute, or to lack excellence or worth.
Truth:
1. Salvation is not by anything we do.
Q: “What are things people do to “earn” their salvation?”
A: Good works, sacraments, “all will be saved”, “no eternity”, going to church, giving
(sacrifice), observing rituals,
Q: What does Rom 3:21-24 say about these attempts?
Q: If the Law is unable to save, what then is the purpose of the Law?
2. Salvation is supplied 100% by God.
Ransom payment – redemption
Permanancy of the redemption
3. A gift only becomes ours when we accept it. Our responsibility is to accept the gift of grace by acting in faith and trust.
4. Explain Justification and Sanctification
Action:
Offer opportunity to receive Christ after presenting the gospel.
Discuss the permanency of the redemption.
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[1]Wuest, K. S. 1997, c1984. Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader . Eerdmans: Grand Rapids