Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. It is a "righteousness" because on it the acquittal of accused and sinful men justly proceeds. It is "God's righteousness" because provided by the Triune God through the human passion of the Second Person. It is "God's-righteousness-of-faith," because, in order to our becoming justified by it, faith is the solitary condition. The relation of gospel righteousness is thus expressed by its very name on both sides. As it respects God, it is His, as opposed to its being mine: He is its Author, Achiever, Proprietor. But it comes to me, stands me in stead, is reckoned to me for acquittal "by faith." This expression stands opposed to another often recurring — "by law-works" (Romans 3:20), i.e., personal acts of obedience carrying with them some merit in God's sight. If men could accomplish these they would have a righteousness of their own, not God's, arising out of such "law works." But in sharp contrast to this self-provided righteousness stands the gospel righteousness provided by Another. Thus the whole of this composite title, "God's-righteousness-by-faith," is at every point clean contrary to "Man's-righteousness-by-works," and accordingly the apostle through nearly three following chapters endeavours to abolish the latter that he may establish the former, and shut us up to accept it. (J. Oswald Dykes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. |
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