by Rick Combs
Romans 3:19-30 is such an important passage by the Apostle Paul for it establishes that the gift of righteousness is not earned but is a free gift through faith.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The world is under the law and therefore guilty before God. Think of the 10 commandments. Can you keep them? Not just adhere to them, but do them perfectly with no misstep? No – you can’t. Neither can I. As a result, we cannot be justified before God because the law has shown us our sin. We are guilty and justly deserve the wrath of God. No person on earth can give any argument or self-justification, for that’s just the way it is. Before we can be saved by the blood of Jesus, we MUST admit we are sinners.
The problem? We are unrighteous!
Justified by Faith
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Thank God! NOW – the righteousness of God without the law is revealed through Paul’s writings. Things were different in time past of the Old Testament and the Gospels when Jesus ministered to the Jews under the Law of Moses. But now there is a new program. A new age. A new dispensation, or management of the household. We can be made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Righteousness is not given automatically. The requirement is to believe. NOW there if no difference between the circumcised (Jew) and the uncircumcised (Gentile).
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
The word Grace means “unmerited favor”. The word “delight” could be associated with the word “Grace”. It is favor, but it is a special favor. It is special favor that is delightfully given. God did not grudgingly grant special favor. He did it in delight as He bestowed on you special favor. If you do not deserve it, then it is not of works. It is unmerited.
Grace is a FREE gift from God with no works attached. If you obtain something by working for it, then it is no longer a gift.
Romans 4:4 makes this point – Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. When you get your paycheck at the end of the week, it is not a gift. That is a debt being paid.
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Propitiation means “the fully satisfying sacrifice of God’s justice”.
Remission means “to pass over or overlook sin”.
Forbearance indicates that God knew the cross was coming in past time of the Old Testament. Therefore, He could be patient because the Father had confidence that His Son would be faithful to complete the work of redemption.
The remission of sins in time past was through the forbearance of God. An extension of time for the payment of the debt.
Paul sums up his point quite nicely in the concluding verses of chapter 3…
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision (Jew) by faith, and uncircumcision (Gentile) through faith.
Thank God and Amen!