"The Righteousness of God" (Part 1)

In Romans 3:21-25 Paul teaches that the righteousness of God is attainable not through works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Now we’re ready for the right answer.

The answer to the question of how a person is justified.

Because we should know well at this point what it is not.

Paul further explains 1:17.

If everyone’s sinful, and no one’s righteous...

Then, explain how “the righteous shall live by faith.”

He tells us in these verses.

How has the righteousness of God been manifested? (vv. 21)

“But now” - as compared to the past

“Apart” - separate from

“Law” - Mosaic Law (as in vv. 19-20)

“Manifested” - shown or revealed

“Witnessed” - testify, told about

“The Law and the Prophets” - a way of designating the entire OT (Matthew 22:40; Luke 24:27, 44; Acts 24:14; Acts 28:23)

“The righteousness of God” - must be the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30: 2 Corinthians 5:21).

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Not the character of God (we’ll see that, vv. 25-26).

Because it wasn’t manifested before Paul, but is manifested since Paul.

Which, was foretold by the OT…and is now for someone (v. 22).

Who is the righteousness of God for? (vv. 22-23)

“All who believe”

“Faith” - conviction, assurance

“In Christ” - who is the object of true faith, how He is received

There are “no distinctions” other than this, because all have sinned.

“Sinned” - miss the mark, violate the law - what everyone does

“Fall short” - lacking in - what everyone does not do

“Glory of God” - deserved exaltation - God must be glorified - this is the truth for all things, this is the purpose of all things (we’ll need to say more about this when we get to vv. 25-26).

So, faith is Christ is the way of salvation rather than good works (Galatians 2:16).

Galatians 2:16 ESV

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.

Why can those who believe be justified? (vv. 24-25a)

“Justified” - rendered righteous, having received the righteousness of Christ, having a right standing before God

“His grace” - His undeserved favor showing

“Gift” - NOT free, “through”...

“Redemption” - ransom, payment for release/deliverance

“In Christ Jesus” - How so?

“Propitiation” - appeasement of wrath, atonement for sin, satisfying of a dept, punishment of wrong

“His blood” - shed in His death on the cross

Again, “by faith” - which bring all of this under that “umbrella” - Paul is telling us what to believe here.

This is how it is possible (Ephesians 1:7).

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Could you explain this to someone who was hearing it for the first time?

Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53