Imputed Righteousness

Romans 3:21–26 ESV

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Imputed

Ryrie’s Basic Theology I. The Meaning of Imputation

To impute means to attribute or reckon or ascribe something to someone. It is not mere influence but involvement that is at the heart of the concept

God’s Faithfulness to Jews and Gentiles (21-23)

Romans 3:21 (ESV)

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

Verse 21

This righteousness is now being manifested through Jesus, but it was predicted in the Old Testament, the law and the prophets both point to God’s righteousness.

It is manifested apart from the law because our works of the law do not give us this righteousness, it is God's righteousness given to us through Christ.

Paul makes this point again in Galatians 2:16.

Galatians 2:16 (ESV)

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Romans 3:22 (ESV)

22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

Verse 22

This is what the law and prophets bear witness to, the righteousness of God that only comes about through faith in Christ. This is not just for the Jews, it is for all who believe. We must remember that the people that Jesus is dealing with the Jews thought they were the only ones getting into heaven. Paul clarifies this here, in God’s eyes there is only sinners and His children, and we are all sinners.

Romans 3:23 (ESV)

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

Verse 23

This verse makes it very clear how desperately we all need Jesus. We are all sinners. It is only through God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice. There will be many good moral people who will spend an eternity in hell. It is not about practicing a religion it is about having a relationship with the risen LORD.

God’s Righteousness in Christ (24-26

Romans 3:24 (ESV)

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Verse 24

The word are is a verb, a linking verb it ties the subject to the rest of the sentence. sinners are justified. It is active a continual action. Yes once we accept Christ into our hearts we are justified (1 John 1:9), but this justification continues throughout our lives. We need Christ every day.

The word redemption means a payment of ransom was paid on our part by Christ blood (1 Peter 2:24)

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 3:24 (ESV)

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

1 Peter 2:24 ESV

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Romans 3:25 (ESV)

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Verse 25

Some translations say mercy seat in the place of propitiation. Jesus pays the price for our sins and makes us righteous in the sight of God, it is only through Him we are found to be righteous. We are to take this on faith, we are saved through our faith in Him.

God gave His son to pay the price for our sins. When sin entered the world God choose to postpone His wrath from the time of the fall until Jesus death and resurrection. Those who had faith in God such as Abraham who died before Jesus paid the price for their sins, you could say were saved on credit. God knew His plan, He knew His son would pay the price for all of man’s sins.

Propitiation

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible Expiation

A sacrificelike action that removes a barrier of sin which blocks fellowship between God and people.

Romans 3:25 (ESV)

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Verse 25

Some translations say mercy seat in the place of propitiation. Jesus pays the price for our sins and makes us righteous in the sight of God, it is only through Him we are found to be righteous. We are to take this on faith, we are saved through our faith in Him.

God gave His son to pay the price for our sins. When sin entered the world God choose to postpone His wrath from the time of the fall until Jesus death and resurrection. Those who had faith in God such as Abraham who died before Jesus paid the price for their sins, you could say were saved on credit. God knew His plan, He knew His son would pay the price for all of man’s sins.

Romans 3:25 (ESV)

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Verse 25

Some translations say mercy seat in the place of propitiation. Jesus pays the price for our sins and makes us righteous in the sight of God, it is only through Him we are found to be righteous. We are to take this on faith, we are saved through our faith in Him.

God gave His son to pay the price for our sins. When sin entered the world God choose to postpone His wrath from the time of the fall until Jesus death and resurrection. Those who had faith in God such as Abraham who died before Jesus paid the price for their sins, you could say were saved on credit. God knew His plan, He knew His son would pay the price for all of man’s sins.

Romans 3:26 (ESV)

26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Verse 26

So, God saved those before Christ, to show His righteousness. He is just because He did not just sweep our sin under the rug, sin has a price to be paid and Jesus is the one who paid it. This is why God is just and the justifier.

Closing

Jesus lived the life that we should live and He died the death we deserve. God’s love for us allows us a chance, a chance to have the relationship that God intended. Sin in our lives builds a wall between us and our heavenly Father, and we need Jesus to tear down that wall. We must surrender our lives to Christ each and every day. We are going to have struggles, we are going to have doubts, but we must cling to Christ each and every day.

Imputed Righteousness