What is the meaning of Romans 3:28? For we maintain Paul is summing up the argument he has been building since Romans 1:16–17. He is not floating a new idea but affirming what the gospel consistently teaches: • Romans 3:21–22 reminds us, “But now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed…—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” • In Romans 1:16–17 he already declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.” • Acts 15:11 echoes the same conviction: “We believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Paul’s “we maintain” signals a settled conviction shared by the apostles and confirmed by the Old Testament pattern of grace. that a man The phrase highlights the universal scope: every person—Jew or Gentile, religious insider or pagan outsider. • Romans 3:9 concluded, “We have already made the charge that both Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.” • Romans 10:12 affirms, “There is no difference between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all.” • Galatians 3:28 extends the reach: “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Paul wants no loopholes: the gospel addresses every human being without exception. is justified “Justified” speaks of God’s legal verdict, not gradual moral improvement. • Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” • Romans 8:33 underscores God’s courtroom authority: “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” • Jesus illustrated it in Luke 18:14 when the repentant tax collector “went down to his house justified.” In an instant, God declares the believing sinner righteous—based on Christ’s finished work, not on personal achievement. by faith Faith is trust in Jesus Christ—resting, relying, leaning wholly on Him. • John 3:16 centers salvation on believing: “Everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” • Romans 4:5 celebrates, “To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” • Galatians 2:20 personalizes it: “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Faith is the empty hand receiving the gift; it contributes nothing but accepts everything Christ has done. apart from works of the law Paul draws the sharpest possible contrast: not a mixture of grace plus effort, but grace alone. • Ephesians 2:8–9 insists, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.” • Galatians 2:16 repeats, “A man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” • Titus 3:5 adds, “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy.” The law exposes sin (Romans 3:20) but cannot erase it; only Christ’s righteousness, credited through faith, can. summary Romans 3:28 crystallizes the gospel: God declares every believer righteous solely through faith in Jesus Christ, totally independent of law-keeping or moral striving. All humanity needs this verdict, and God freely grants it to anyone who trusts His Son. |
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