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Reading Romans 3
Reading Romans 3
Romans 3 ends the opening section of Romans. We have seen the introduction of who Jesus is and the power of His resurrection (1:1-15), the power of the gospel message to save (vs. 1:16), the condemnation of the Gentiles for their sin (1:17-32). In Chapter 2 we see the establishing of the coming righteous judgment of God (2:1-13), and then the fact that the Jews sinned even though they had the revelation of God in the Old Testament (2:14-3:20). Thus, Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
THEN, one of the most glorious sections of the New Testament! Here Paul sets forth the saving power of our Savior and God, Jesus the Christ. (3:21-31).
Though we have sinned and thus fall under the judgment of wrath of God against ALL sin (including ours), God has Saved us through the life/death/glorification of Jesus. In HIM we are JUSTIFIED by GRACE, and thus REDEEMED. The Father accepted His death thus making PROPITIATION (a turning away of the wrath of God).
In THIS the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD was shone. It took the death of Jesus for God to be JUST (condemning all sin) and THE JUSTIFIER OF THE ONE WHO HAS FAITH IN JESUS.
The CONCLUSION: (30) since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. (31) Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. (Romans 3:30-31).
It is at this point that we should fall on our knees, declaring our TRUST in Jesus and PRAISING GOD:
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36).
Hugh DeLong
