God Justifies by Faith in Christ

Romans

Romans 3:21-4:25

ROM_004

NET Bible Text

3:21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed - 3:22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 3:24 But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 3:25 God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed. 3:26 This was also to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus' faithfulness. 3:27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded! By what principle? Of works? No, but by the principle of faith! 3:28 For we consider that a person is declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the law. 3:29 Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles too? Yes, of the Gentiles too! 3:30 Since God is one, he will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 3:31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead we uphold the law. 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? 4:2 For if Abraham was declared righteous by the works of the law, he has something to boast about - but not before God. 4:3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 4:4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness. 4:6 So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 4:8 blessed is the one against whom the Lord will never count sin." 4:9 Is this blessedness then for the circumcision or also for the uncircumcision? For we say, "faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness." 4:10 How then was it credited to him? Was he circumcised at the time, or not? No, he was not circumcised but uncircumcised! 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would become the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised, that they too could have righteousness credited to them. 4:12 And he is also the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham possessed when he was still uncircumcised. 4:13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 4:14 For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified. 4:15 For the law brings wrath, because where there is no law there is no transgression either. 4:16 For this reason it is by faith so that it may be by grace, with the result that the promise may be certain to all the descendants - not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 4:17 (as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"). He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed - the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do. 4:18 Against hope Abraham believed in hope with the result that he became the father of many nations according to the pronouncement, "so will your descendants be." 4:19 Without being weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about one hundred years old) and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 4:20 He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. 4:21 He was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do. 4:22 So indeed it was credited to Abraham as righteousness. 4:23 But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham's sake, 4:24 but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 4:25 He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

Simple Summary

God has shown his saving righteousness in Jesus Christ. He justifies sinners freely by grace, not by works of the law. This gift is received through faith. Abraham shows that this has always been God’s way.

What This Passage Means

Paul says that God’s righteousness has now been revealed apart from the law. Yet the Law and the Prophets already pointed to it. All people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. So all people need the same rescue.

God justifies sinners freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Christ’s death was set before the world as the atoning means by which sin is dealt with. In this way God showed that he is righteous, even when he passed over sins in patience. At the cross, God remains just and also justifies the one who believes in Jesus.

This leaves no room for boasting. No one is made right with God by works of the law. Jews and Gentiles stand on the same ground, because God is one and he justifies both by faith. Paul says this does not cancel the law. Faith upholds the law’s true witness and purpose.

Paul then turns to Abraham and David. Scripture says that Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. This happened before circumcision, so circumcision was only a sign and seal, not the basis of his right standing with God. David also speaks of the blessing of forgiven sins, where the Lord does not count sin against the person.

So righteousness is credited apart from works, by grace through faith. The promise is sure for all Abraham’s offspring, not only for those under the law but also for Gentiles who believe. Abraham trusted the God who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence. Christians now trust the same God, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Jesus was handed over for our transgressions and raised for our justification.

Important Truths

• All people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.
• God justifies sinners freely by grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.
• Christ’s death is the public atoning act by which God deals with sin.
• Justification is received through faith, not earned by works of the law.
• Boasting is excluded because right standing with God is a gift.
• God justifies Jews and Gentiles on the same basis.
• Abraham was counted righteous before circumcision, so he is the father of all who believe.
• Jesus was handed over for our transgressions and raised for our justification.

Warnings, Promises, or Commands

• Do not treat works of the law as the basis of acceptance with God.
• Do not boast in heritage, ritual status, or personal effort.
• Do not separate this passage from the earlier charge that all humanity is under sin.
• Do not turn justification into mere inward improvement; Paul speaks of God’s verdict and crediting of righteousness.
• Promise: the one who believes is justified freely by grace.
• Command: uphold faith, not boasting, as the proper response to God’s saving work.

How This Fits in God's Plan

Paul shows that God’s saving righteousness in Christ fits with the Law and the Prophets. Abraham’s faith, David’s words about forgiven sin, and the cross and resurrection of Jesus all belong to one plan: God justifies the ungodly by grace through faith and makes one family of believing Jews and Gentiles.

Simple Application

Do not rely on your goodness, background, or religious acts to make you right with God. Trust the God who raised Jesus from the dead, and rest in Christ’s finished work. Like Abraham, believe God’s promise even when the situation looks impossible.