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Romans Chapter Three

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Judgment and Justification of God

A.   Gods judgment on the Jews:

1.    The unbelief makes the faithfulness of God without effect (v.1-4);

2.    Mans unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (v.5-8);

B.   Gods judgment on the whole world:

1.    The whole world is under sin (v.9-18).

2.    The whole world is under the judgment of God (v.19-20).

C.   Gods righteousness apart from the law:

1.    The basis of justification ----the grace of God and the redemption of Jesus Christ (v.21, 23-26).

2.    The way of justification ---- believe but not keep the law (v.22, 27-30);

3.    The result of justification ---- confirm the law (v.31);

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Rom. 3:1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

YLT: “What, then, the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of the circumcision?”

Meaning of Words: “advantage”: exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, beyond measure, superfluous; “profit”: usefulness, benefit;

Literal Meaning: “then”, it refers to verse 28 in the previous chapter ---- “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh” (Rom. 2:28).

“What advantage has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?” ---- Since the Jews and the letter and circumcision they hold are belittled in the previous chapter, then why God chose the Jews? What advantage has the Jews on earth comparing with the Gentiles? Why God gave them circumcision and what was the function of it on earth?

“Advantage” refers to superiority ---- the Jews have their superior status; “profit” refers to effect and benefit, and the circumcision must have its function.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    If the advantage and profit are not well cherished, they will be manipulated by the devil to deceive men, thus turning to be the stumbling-blocks of men.

2)    Though Christians have inherited many spiritual privileges (Eph. 1:3), these privileges are not only our enjoyment, but also our responsibilities. We should live through them for God.

 

Rom. 3:2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.

YLT: “much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God;”

Meaning of Words: “chiefly”: firstly; “commit”: entrust; put in trust with;

Literal Meaning: “much in every way”! ---- It means that all the works of God have great advantages. God never does vain works. Note that Paul only mentions one advantage of the Jews in this chapter. The rest ones, please refer to verse 4 to 5 in chapter nine.

“Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God”. ---- “The oracles of God” refers to the Old Testament. “Be committed”, it is a kind of entrustment out of faith.

Among those many things profitable to men done by God, the most important is that God entrusted His oracles ---- the Scriptures ---- to men (Heb. 1:1). God’s word is the expression of God, through which man can know God Himself and God’s will.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God entrusted His oracles to men, which meant that God entrusted the revelation of His will and counsel to us. What great honor!

2)    Mission brings about responsibility. The one to whom the mission is entrusted should take the responsibility and search the word of God diligently. Otherwise, the will of God can not be spoken and the plan of God cannot be fulfilled.

 

Rom. 3:3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

YLT: “for what, if certain were faithless? shall their faithlessness the faithfulness of god make useless?”

Literal Meaning: “for what if some did not believe?” ---- It seems that there is a word of question between the second verse to the third verse, murmurings in hearts without being declared. Therefore, Paul here gives the answer to hidden discussions. Men may say disdainfully that though God committed His oracles to the Jews, they had not enjoyed the advantage because of unbelief.

“Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?” ---- Paul’s answer to the previous question is: “if we are unfaithful, he abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself (2Tim. 2:13). Men’s unbelief cannot make the faithfulness of God without effect.”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God is faithful. His word must be fulfilled. He who trusts in Him shall never be ashamed (Rom. 9:28, 33).

2)    Since God is faithful, we shall not fear, but believe (Mark 5:36).

 

Rom. 3:4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."

YLT: “let it not be! and let God become true, and every man false, according as it hath been written, `That Thou mayest be declared righteous in Thy words, and mayest overcome in Thy being judged.'”

Literal Meaning: “certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar”. ---- since man was untrue and treacherous and unreliable, man’s unbelief was nothing. The true God will not change Himself because of man’s condition. Therefore, God’s oracles are still operative and powerful.

“As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."” ---- This is the word of David’s words of repentance after he had sinned (Ps. 51:4). On one hand, it shows that when man breaks faith and makes mistakes, God will judge and rebuke him so as to manifest His righteousness. On the other hand, it indicates that when man schemes to judge God, it contrarily turns to be a chance for God to prove Him. Just like in a court, God always wins the suit. In a word, man can never judge God, because God is righteous.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Gods punishment for mans sins shows that He is a God of righteousness. Therefore, we shall fear and tremble more. Lest we sin against if we are not watchful enough.

2)    That Jesus Christ righteous (1John 2:11), no matter when He judges, or is judged, His triumphant righteousness shall be both manifested (see Matt. 22:46; 23; John 18:33-38).

 

Rom. 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

YLT: “And, if our unrighteousness God's righteousness doth establish, what shall we say? is God unrighteous who is inflicting the wrath? (after the manner of a man I speak)”

Meaning of Words: “demonstrate”: approve, commend, consist, stand with;

Literal Meaning: “I speak as a man.” ---- It means speaking like a common man in the world, defending ignorantly and absurdly.

  Paul here simulates man’s defense. God judges men and inflicts His wrath because of man’s unrighteousness. However, as it is said previously, when God judges and rebukes man, He is justified. Then, does not man’s unrighteousness exactly give a chance for God to manifest His righteousness? Thus, man’s righteousness has its function, doesn’t it? Therefore, God should not inflict His wrath to punish man’s unrighteousness. If God inflicts His wrath, He is not righteous. However, these are words of man’s defense by sophistry.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Speak as a man, it is usually dead fallacy. Therefore, we shall never parrot what others say, but discern in the light of God.

2)    We should seek to the growth of life so that our language, thoughts and mind can be delivered from babyhood and ignorance, thus being able to distinguish both good and evil (Heb. 5:14).

 

Rom. 3:6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

YLT: “let it not be! since how shall God judge the world?”

Literal Meaning: “how will God judge the world?” ---- “Judge” refers to the judgment in the end; “the world” refers to the whole mankind (see v.19).

  This verse indicates that God’s inflicting His wrath is certainly not that God is unjust. God who is the Judge of all the earth should do right (Gen. 18:25).

 

Rom. 3:7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

YLT: “for if the truth of God in my falsehood did more abound to His glory, why yet am I also as a sinner judged?”

Meaning of Words: “increase”: abound, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound;

Literal Meaning: the words are the same as that in verse five and six ---- the Jews of unbelief seek reasons for them to dodge the responsibilities of their sins. They say, since man’s faults can more demonstrate God’s truth and glory, God should not judge nor condemn man.

Enlightenment in the Word: man’s unbelief can not make God’s faithfulness without effect (v.3), and man’s unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (v.5) and man’s faults manifest God’s glory of truth. God’s throne is settled in the heavens. He is never influenced by man. How trustworthy He is! We just rely on Him in rest. 

 

Rom. 3:8 And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?--as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

YLT: “and not, as we are evil spoken of, and as certain affirm us to say -- `We may do the evil things, that the good ones may come?' whose judgment is righteous.”

Literal Meaning: “their condemnation is just”. “Their”, it has two explanations according to the original ---- one refers to those who say these words, and the other is what they have said. Therefore, it can be interpreted from two aspects ---- one is that those who say these words should be condemned, and the other is that such defense of them should be condemned.   

  Such men have distorted and defamed the apostle’s words, thinking that the knowledge of the gospel preached by Paul makes men need not to keep the law (Col. 2:20-23). It just conforms to their words of defense ---- men’s sins help God to manifest His goodness. Such defense perverts the truth of God and proves that they are unwilling to repent to receive the salvation of God. Therefore, they should be under the judgment of God.

  The paragraph from verse 1 to verse 8 in this chapter, on one hand, refutes the defense of the Jews that they shall not be condemned like the Gentiles by God because of having the law of God. On the other hand, it also points out that the purpose of the law is not making men to keep but letting men know God through His faithfulness and righteousness.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Satan usually uses the fallacy of doing evil that good may come to deceive men in order to make men sin in self-abandonment. Actually, it is Satans scheme of disesteeming and maligning God.

2)    A saying goes like this, the wicked one has the wicked reason. Even a thief thinks he has his reason right in his sight. However, we Christians should take the word of God as truth instead of trying to justify ourselves.

 

Rom. 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

YLT: “What, then? are we better? not at all! for we did before charge both Jews and Greeks with being all under sin,”

Literal Meaning: “Are we better than they?” “We” refers to the Gentiles and the Jews who do not rely on the law (for Paul includes himself into “we”). “They” refers to the Jews who rely on the law. Actually, there is no choice between both the Gentiles and the Jews concerning the nature.

Both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin, under sin: under the power and condemnation of sin. Note that Paul has altogether mentioned nine times of the universality of sin from verse nine to twelve (all, two times, none, four times, together, one time).

 

Rom. 3:10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;

YLT: “according as it hath been written -- `There is none righteous, not even one;”

Literal Meaning: “As it is written”, the words from verse ten to twelve are quoted from the Book of Psalm (14:1-3; 53:1-3;), the Book of Ecclesiastes (7:20), proving that all men in the world have sinned, without exception.

  “There is none righteous, no, not one.” ---- It indicates that man is wicked by nature and no one can reach the standard of the righteousness of God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    In the sight of man, there is the difference between good man and wicked man. However, in the sight of God, there is none righteous, no, not one.

2)    Whether a man is righteous is decided by whether he has the life of righteousness in him. He who does not believe the Lord must have no life of righteousness, and therefore is not righteous.

 

Rom. 3:11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

YLT: “There is none who is understanding, there is none who is seeking after God.”

Literal Meaning: “there is none who understands”, it refers to the vileness of man in thoughts ---- man’s thoughts have become foolish and dark (Rom. 1:21-22; Matt. 13:14), therefore man cannot know God and the truth.

“There is none who seeks after God.” It refers to the vileness of man in desire ---- man only seeks to satisfy the physical and mental desire, but does not seek God to make up the vanity in his deep heart.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    There is none who understands, obviously, mens understanding is not reliable. Without the enlightenment and working of the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand the knowledge of salvation by ourselves (2Cor. 2:14).

2)    The lost man will never seek God through himself. He can only do it on account of the working of the Holy Spirit.

3)    We have not sought God, but He has sought us (Luke 19:10). Since He has found us now, we have to come to seek Him (Matt. 7:7-8).

4)    What God seeks is the man (Gen. 3:9). But what we believers seek is usually not God Himself, but some blessings besides God.

 

Rom. 3:12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."

YLT: “All did go out of the way, together they became unprofitable, there is none doing good, there is not even one.”

Literal Meaning: “they have all turned aside”, it is like the fish that is seduced by the bait, the beasts that have fallen into traps because of the bait and the travelers who have run into the side road by some attractions. Therefore, it refers to the faults of men in the orientation of life ---- men have all lost in the world and have been deprived of goal of life.

“They have together become unprofitable”, it means that the food is too bad to be ate and has not any function except for being cast out. It is then used to refer to the futility of men in function ---- man had fallen short of the will and purpose of God in His creation. Humanity without Christ is perverse and futile.

“There is none who does good, no, not one." It refers to the corruption in actions ---- no one is willing to anything to glorify God besides his duty.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God Himself is the right way. Once men stopped from seeking God, they have turned aside. The most terrible is they have together become unprofitable. Whenever one does not seek God, He will become a fertile man.

2)    In the sight of God, man is created to be the vessel of God. Apart from that, man is nothing. The purpose of man is to be used by God.

3)    Sin is a universal problem among men. It is not only restricted in some men or some kind of men that can commit some kind of sins.

4)    There is none righteous, no, not one (v.10), There is none who does good, no, not one ---- this is the judgment of God. Obviously, it is not because we are better than others that we can be saved, but Gods grace comes upon us for us to be saved.

 

Rom. 3:13 "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips";

YLT: “A sepulchre opened their throat; with their tongues they used deceit; poison of asps under their lips.”

Literal Meaning: “their throat is an open tomb”, it is quoted from the Book of Psalm (5:9), indicating the inner vileness of men who spread death and filth everywhere (Matt. 23:27; 15:18-20).

“With their tongues they have practiced deceit”, men are accustomed to deceit and let it become a part of their life.

“The poison of asps is under their lips”, this verse is quoted from the Book of Psalm (140:3). Men are manipulated by the devil to transmit toxins that hurt men.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Among the four hundred members of a man, tongue is the member that sins most frequently. Tongue is also the one that is most difficult to be tamed (see James 3:1-8). Because tongue is the expression of the whole person ---- of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (see Matt. 12:33-37).

2)    The filth of mans tongue is because of mens evil nature. Therefore, when Isaiah saw the vision of the holy God, he immediately felt, I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips (Is. 6:5).

3)    If we do not live in spirit but in the flesh, we may speak terrible words and bring about deceit and death.

4)    Only our Lord had shown His pure righteousness and absolute victory in word when He walked on the earth, though the enemy often surrounded Him to take hold of Him in language to ensnare Him in speaking (Matt. 22:15; Luke 11:53-54). Oh! He is really God,  the Word in the beginning that is settled in the heaven and never changes (see John 1:1; Ps. 119:89).

 

Rom. 3:14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."

YLT: “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”

Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the Book of Psalm (10:7), showing that men lack good words edifying others in language.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Voice. If our spirits are filled by the Holy Spirit, our lips will be covered by blessings, thanksgiving and edifying words (Eph. 5:18-19).

2)    Word in the mouth of our Christians is the index of the faith in us. The expression of the one who really has faith is the absence of offenses in his words (James 2:26-3:2).

3)    We shall pray for the Lord that set a watch before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips. (Ps. 141:3).

 

Rom. 3:15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;

YLT: “Swift their feet to shed blood.”

Literal Meaning: this verse and verse 16 are quoted from the Book of Proverbs (1:16) and the Book of Isaiah (59:7), showing that man is adept at committing sins and evils and is skilled in escaping the responsibility.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Our feet should not stand in the way of sinners (Ps. 1:1).

2)    Many believers walk in the way of the Lord slowly, but in the way of the world swiftly.

 

Rom. 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;

YLT: “Ruin and misery in their ways.”

Literal Meaning: it points that men’s hands do evil or violence everywhere. They do not only not set their mind on divine services but also bring destruction and damage to others.

 

Rom. 3:17 And the way of peace they have not known."

YLT: “And a way of peace they did not know.”

Literal Meaning: it is quoted from the Book of Isaiah (59:8). They do not know the way of peace in heart. Men understand nothing about enjoying the rest in spirit at all.

 

Rom. 3:18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

YLT: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.'”

Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the Book of Psalm (36:1). They show that they do not fear God with their eyes.

  The paragraph from verse 13 to verse 18 proves that a patient at the point of death is examined by the doctor and is proved that he is beyond redemption.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The world is blind and does not know God. Therefore, they totally walk in their will without fearing whether they have against God.

2)    The fear of God is the origin of all piety. Once man does not fear God, he will naturally have many vile deeds.

3)    Many Christians fear men but not fear God. But he who really knows God fears God and respects men.

4)    A fearful thing falling into hands of living God (Heb. 10:31).

 

Rom. 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

YLT: “And we have known that as many things as the law saith, to those in the law it doth speak, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may come under judgment to God;”

Literal Meaning: “now we know that whatever the law says”, the word from verse 10 to 18 is “whatever the law says”, because the Jews hold the whole Old Testament is the law (see John 10:34).

“Those who are under the law”, it can also be translated as “those who are in the law”, namely, the Jews.

“That all the world may become guilty before God”, the Jews are as sinful as the Gentiles.
    We can see from this verse that the function of the law is not making the Jews who know the law (namely, those who are under the law) think they are superior, but pointing out the faults of them. Therefore, they can not deny but admit that they are also guilty before God as the Gentiles, and thus humble themselves.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Thank the Lord! We have been redeemed from the law by the Lord. Therefore, the words in the law cannot restrict us. We have not to be responsible for the words in the law. What glorious deliverance!

2)    Since we have been delivered from the law, we shall serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter (Rom. 7:6).

 

Rom. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

YLT: “wherefore by works of law shall no flesh be declared righteous before Him, for through law is a knowledge of sin.”

Meaning of Words: “justify”: render just or innocent, be righteous;

Literal Meaning: “therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight”, “flesh” refers to all men in the flesh, including the Jews and the Gentiles. “Justify” means that God approves men’s deeds according to His righteous standard.

  This verse is derived from the Book of Psalm (143:2). Since all flesh had corrupted (Gen. 6:12), no one could be justified by working the law. The purpose of God’s granting the law was not letting man do the law, but proving that man could not do so that man would know his depravity and evil.

“For by the law is the knowledge of sin”, this is the conclusion of the previous paragraph, showing that the law is given to make man know his sin and know that he can never be justified by doing the law. This conclusion has repeatedly appeared from 5:20 to 7:11 and is further deduced and extended therein. 

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The purpose of Gods giving the law was not making man do the law, but manifesting mans sins so as to lead him to repent and be saved by the Lords salvation.

2)    Since man cannot be justified by doing the law, he should early give up the way and no longer expect to change himself but simply believe the Lord.

 

Rom. 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

YLT: “And now apart from law hath the righteousness of God been manifested, testified to by the law and the prophets,”

Literal Meaning: “but now”, the word “but” indicates that it is totally different from the previous condition, unveiling that the gospel of God is the turning point of man’s destiny, because God has opened a new era. “Now” refers to the times of the New Testament. Though in the times of the Old Testament in the past, justification by faith had already been revealed (Gen. 15:6), Christ had not come at that time. Therefore, the righteousness of God will not be firmly revealed until “now”.

  “The righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed”, “the righteousness of God” is the just and upright nature of God (Rom. 1:17; 10:3; Phil. 3:9). The requirement of God’s righteousness is far beyond man’s works. Men’s righteousnesses are as filthy rags before God (Is. 64:6) and can never reach the righteous standard of God. Therefore, men cannot be justified by the law (Rom. 3:20, 28).

  “Is revealed”, it points that God has already revealed the truth of justification by faith to men. Justification by faith is the manifestation of God’s righteousness.

“Being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets”, it means that all the records in the Old Testament prove that men cannot ne justified by the law, and can only be redeemed through the salvation of Jesus Christ.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    We are often grateful for Gods love and Gods grace, but seldom appreciate Gods righteousness. Actually the righteousness of God is rather precious. If Gods righteousness has not been manifested apart from the law, we can neither receive Gods grace nor Gods love.

2)    Men wanted to do the law to manifest Gods righteousness. However, God reveals His righteousness apart from the law in Jesus Christ. It indicates that when the orthodox things have fallen into dead letters or rigid rules, apart them, God may often raise fresh and living things that have the reality of Christ to perfect His will.

 

Rom. 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

YLT: “and the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, -- for there is no difference,”

Literal Meaning: this verse illustrates the definition, condition and sphere of justification by faith:

1)    The definition of justification by faith ---- the righteousness of God “to all and on all who believe”; we had no righteousness of God before receiving the Lord, but God’s righteousness is given to us through “faith” in Jesus Christ, and thus we are justified before God.

2)    The condition of justification by faith ---- “faith in Jesus Christ”. “Through faith in Jesus Christ”, it means that out faith comes from the Lord (Heb. 12:2) and takes Jesus Christ as the object (Acts 16:31; John 20:31) as well as the sphere where our faith shall be increased and kept (1Tim. 1:14).

3)    The sphere of justification by faith ---- “all and on all who believe. For there is no difference”; no matter the good or the wicked in the sight of man, the Jews or the Gentiles, the wise or the fool, male and female, there is no difference (Col. 3:11; Gal. 3:28; 2Cor. 12:13). They have only to have “faith”.

    “To all and on all who believe”, “to all and on all”, it reveals that justification is given objectively, not being perfected subjectively.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    If we all rely on doing the law, it is our failure and should be condemned by God. However, because of the salvation of the Lord who sheds His blood, the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. Therefore, God does not ask us to do the law but asks us to believe the Lord Jesus. Oh! What great grace.

2)    God has already put Jesus Christ before our eyes, and His death of sacrifice has redeemed our sins and delivered us from the penalty caused by our rebellion against God. Jesus Christ had accomplished all things for us, and we shall enjoy them by faith.

3)    To receive the grace of God is: a) unconditional ---- apart from the law, and man shall believe (v.21); b) unlimited ---- to all and on all who believe, for there is no difference.

4)    We may often think that we have no faith through ourselves, because we have no faith in us. The faith that we have obtained is in the Lord, who is the leader and completer of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Therefore, we should not seek faith by ourselves, but rely on Him at any moment.

 

Rom. 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

YLT: “for all did sin, and are come short of the glory of God --”

Meaning of Words: “fall short”: be destitute, lack, be in want, to be later, to be inferior;

Literal Meaning: this verse shows the reason for the need of justification by faith:

1)    “For all have sinned”, in the negative aspect, men have all violated the law and fallen short of the righteousness of God.

2)    “And fall short of the glory of God, in the positive aspect, man has not manifested the glory of God according to the purpose that God created man, but manifests the evil and filth of the devil. Therefore, man has fallen short of the glory of God

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The glory of God is the level at which man has to live before God. All mans deeds that fall short of Gods glory are mans wanting concerning the level of Gods glory, and therefore those are sins. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2)    The reason why God declares there is none righteous, no, not one (v.10) is that He measures man according to His glory. If it is measured by the level of morality, we cannot say there is none righteous man in the world. However, if it is measured by the level of Gods glory, at measure of the stature of the fullness of His Son, all the lack of men will be exposed. Therefore, he who has not reached the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ has fallen short of Gods glory in the sight of God and needs the salvation of Jesus Christ (v.24).

3)    All that fails to glorify God is sin. And all that makes the glory of God suffer loss is sin. Whenever we fall short of Gods glory, and even when we have one thing that has not glorified God or has fallen short of Gods glory, our fellowship with God will be interrupted and we will suffer loss.

4)    God has created man for His glory. God desires to let man boast in His glory (Rom. 5:2; 1Cor.11:7).

5)    Though all men have fallen short of the glory of God because of the depravity, they have the full glory of hope in Christ (Col. 1:27).

 

Rom. 3:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

YLT: “being declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that in Christ Jesus,”

Meaning of Words: “redemption”: to be delivered by paying the ransom in full (it was a word used in the slavery market in the original); “freely”: without a cause, for naught, in vain, gratuitously; “justify”: be acquitted of a charge (a word used in the court);

Literal Meaning: “being justified freely”, “freely” it refers to a free gift; all those who believe (v.22) shall be justified freely. It does not mean all those who have sinned in the world (v.23) can be justified freely.

  This verse has illustrated the origin, way and cost of justification by faith:

1)    The origin of justification by faith ---- “the grace of God”. “Grace” means that man was unworthy of receiving something but now he has obtained. The grace of God is the gift that God has granted to us in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:7).

2)    The way of justification by faith ---- “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”; God is righteous. He can not forgive men’s sins for no reason at all. He had paid the necessary cost to meet His righteous requirement so that He could redeem man through the lawful way, and thus He could justify man.

3)    The cost of justification by faith ---- “freely”; Christ Jesus had paid the cost for us in on the cross, so God could not require another cost (repaying the debt of sin) from us. Therefore, the cost of justification is free.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    That we are justified is really not because our deeds are better than others, but totally due to the salvation of Jesus Christ. We have nothing to boast of.

2)    If the Lord Jesus had not fulfilled the salvation on the cross to meet all the requirement of the righteousness of God, even though God desired to justify us by His grace, it could never be realized.

 

Rom. 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

YLT: “whom God did set forth a mercy seat, through the faith in his blood, for the shewing forth of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the bygone sins in the forbearance of God --”

Meaning of Words: “set forth”: exhibit, display openly; “propitiation”: an expiatory place, mercy-seat, an atoning victim; “pass over”: put aside, pass;

Literal Meaning: “whom God set forth as a propitiation”, here it mentions the first foundation of justification by faith. According to the original, it can also be translated as “God set forth Jesus as “an expiatory place” (or “mercy-seat”) openly. Men were isolated from God after man had sinned and could not draw near to God. Now God has set about reversing the situation ---- He sets forth Jesus as the expiatory place so that God and men can be in oneness in Christ Jesus.

“By His blood, through faith”, both of “by His blood” and “through faith” are used to modify “propitiation”. On one hand, God can remit men’s sins (Heb. 9:22) by the blood of Jesus to meet the requirement of God in this aspect so that God can accept men. On the other hand, man can draw and enjoy the efficacy of the blood of Jesus by faith so as to draw near to God with boldness (Heb. 10:19).

“To demonstrate His righteousness”, in this way, we are justified by God in Christ Jesus (Gal. 2:17). We also admit God’s righteousness so that His righteousness is perfectly demonstrated. On one hand, it is God’s grace that He has prepared us a Savior. All the works of redemption that He had done on us are out of the grace of God. On the other hand, the righteousness of God makes the salvation fulfilled on us so that God can justify us. The righteousness of God is the principle of His works. He must work in line with His righteous principle. The redemption of Christ has already satisfied His righteous requirement, namely, His righteousness, so that God must justify us. Therefore, that God justifies us is for the purpose of demonstrating His righteousness. In a word, only “justification by faith” is the best way that conforms to the righteousness of God and demonstrates the righteousness of God.

“Because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,” here it mentions the second foundation of justification by faith. If God did not show His forbearance or executed His judgment and penalty on all men’s sins in the past immediately, we would neither have the chance to believe Jesus nor be justified by faith.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    We not only need faith when we just believed the Lord, but also need faith and blood in the way that we still walk with and follow the Lord.

2)    Sometimes, our spiritual condition may be good, or sometimes low. However, our condition can not alter our position before God, because we do not please God by our works, but by drawing the accomplished works of the Lord in faith.

3)    As we draw near to God through faith, by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus when we are just saved (see Eph. 2:8, 13), so will we need also to come to God with boldness through faith, by the efficacy of the precious blood of the Lord after we have been saved.

 

Rom. 3:26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

YLT: “for the shewing forth of His righteousness in the present time, for His being righteous, and declaring him righteous who of the faith of Jesus.”

Literal Meaning: this verse mentions the third foundation of justification by faith, i.e. “to demonstrate that He might be just”

  “That He might be just”, God is righteous. And God’s righteousness is absolute righteousness. If man knows His righteousness, he will know he cannot be justified by works and will never try to justify himself by works. Therefore, God likes to manifest His righteousness so that man shall know He is just and seek and believe the Lord Jesus.

  “And the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”, that God justifies those who believe Jesus means He regards them righteous according to His righteous standard. Actually, according to our own conditions, we cannot reach the level of God’s righteousness and have nothing to be justified by God. But now since we have believed Jesus Christ, God has made Jesus Christ our righteousness (1Cor. 1:30). We are those who have believed on (John 3:16) Christ. We have put on Him in Him, so God has made Him our righteousness. As God has justified Jesus Christ (Acts. 3:14), so will God also justify us (Rom. 8:33).

 

Rom. 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.

YLT: “Where then the boasting? it was excluded; by what law? of works? no, but by a law of faith:”

Literal Meaning: this verse points that justification is not by the law of works, but by the law of faith. If it is by the law of works, it shows that justification is by man himself as well as his works, so man will boast of his works that are better than that of others in his eyes. However, here, it points that we are justified by the law of faith which is gifted by God, and therefore man cannot boast himself (see Eph. 2:8-9).

 

Rom. 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

YLT: “therefore do we reckon a man to be declared righteous by faith, apart from works of law.”

Literal Meaning: after the deduction and exposition in verses above, we have received a sure conclusion: man is justified by “faith”, not “works”. “The deeds of the law” are the “law of works”. This is a branch road, not the right way.

 

Rom. 3:29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,

YLT: “The God of Jews only , and not also of nations?”

Literal Meaning: here it indicates that justification corresponds to the fact and the principle that there is only one God (v.30), and there is no respecter of persons with God (Acts. 10:34; Rom. 2:11).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Thank God! God is not only the God of the Jews but also the God of the Gentiles. Therefore, He not only saves the Jews but also saves the Gentiles who had nothing to do with Him. How abundant His grace is!

2)    God is the God of all men in the world. There is no acceptance of persons with God (Rom. 2:11). We believers of the Lord are the children of this God with whom there is no acceptance of persons with God. Therefore, there shall no be respect of persons with us (James 2:11).

 

Rom. 3:30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

YLT: “yes, also of nations; since one God who shall declare righteous the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through the faith.”

Literal Meaning: though both of the Jews and the Gentiles have one God, the Jews are the elect of God (Deut. 7:6) concerning God’s election, whose position is different from that of the Gentiles. Therefore, the prepositions before the word “faith” appearing two times in this verse are different ---- the former, as for the circumcised, is “by (or “out of”) faith”; and the latter concerning the uncircumcised is “through faith”. The Jews are justified on the right position out of faith, and the Gentiles are justified after coming to the right position through faith.

 

Rom. 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

YLT: “Law then do we make useless through the faith? let it not be! yea, we do establish law.”

Meaning of Words: “make void”: bring to nothing; “establish”: hold up, stand up;

Literal Meaning: this verse indicates that justification by faith conforms to the principle of the law. The Lord bore men’s sins according to the requirement of the law. He is not come to make void the law, but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17). That we believe the Lord has met the requirement of punishing the guilty of the law in the negative aspect. And in the positive aspect, the great power of life in believers makes the righteous requirement of the law be fulfilled in those who walk according to Spirit (Rom. 8:4). Therefore, we will not only not make the law void but also establish the law.

 

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Man Cannot Be Justified By the Law

A.   God gave the law in order to manifest His faithfulness and righteousness (v.1-8).

B.   All the world is under the judgment of God:

1. The Jews and Greeks are all under sin (v.9).

2. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (v.10-12).

3. All the parts of one’s body ---- throat, tongues, lips, mouth, feet, hand, heart and eyes ---- have become tools of sins (v.13-18).

C. By the law is the knowledge of sin and all the world may become guilty before God (v.19-20).

 

The Law is the Knowledge of Sin and Cannot Justify Man

A.   The profit of the law ---- to manifest God’s faithfulness and righteousness (v.1-8);

B.   The advantage of the law ---- to expose the terrible conditions of all the mankind (v.9-18);

C.   The significance of the law ---- to make man have the knowledge of sin and be under the judgment of God (v.19-20);

D.   The purpose of the law ---- to bring man receive the redemption of Christ (v.21);

 

Four Questions that the Jews Against the Righteousness of God

A.   Which refers to the profit of circumcision (v.1-2);

B.   Man’s unbelief and God’s faithfulness (v.3-4);

C.   Man’s unrighteousness and God’s righteousness (v.5-6);

D.   Man’s sins and God’s glory (v.7-8);

 

The Absoluteness of God’s Nature (Requiring Nothing to Prove His Being)

A.   The oracles of God are absolute (v.2).

B.   The faithfulness of God is absolute (v.3).

C.   The righteousness of God is absolute (v.5).

D.   The truth of God is absolute (v.7).

E.   The glory of God is absolute (v.7).

 

The Wrong Proof of Doing Evil that Good May Come

A.   Man’s unbelief cannot make the faithfulness of God without effect (v.3).

B.   Man’s unrighteousness can contrarily demonstrate the righteousness of God (v.5).

C.   Man’s falseness can contrarily manifest God’s truth (v.6).

D.   Man’s evil can contrarily perfect God’s goodness (v.8).

 

The “All”s of Men in the World

A.   “Who are all under sin” (v.9) ---- there is no one who is not the slave of sin;

B.   “Who have all turned aside” (v.12) ---- there is no one who has not lost his way;

C.   “Who are all under the judgment of God” (v.19) ---- there is no one who has not condemned by God;

 

All Have Sinned

A.   Sins concerning the nature :

1.    There is none righteous, no, not one (v.10).

2.    There is none who understands (v.11).

3.    There is none who seeks after God (v.11).

4.    They have all turned aside and have together become unprofitable (v.12).

5.    There is none who does good, no, not one (v.12).

B.   Sins concerning the words :

1.    Their throat is an open tomb (v.13).

2.    With their tongues they have practiced deceit (v.13).

3.    The poison of asps is under their lips (v.13).

4.    Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness (v.14).

C.   Sins concerning the deeds :

1.    Their feet are swift to shed blood (v.15).

2.    Destruction and misery are in their ways (v.16).

3.    And the way of peace they have not known (v.17).

4.    There is no fear of God before their eyes (v.18).

 

The Depravity of Man in the World

A.   There is none righteous, no, not one (v.10).

B.   There is none who understands (v.11).

C.   There is none who seeks after God (v.11).

D.   There is none who does good, no, not one (v.12).

E.   There is no way of peace (v.17).

F.    There is no fear of God (v.18).

G.   They are all under the judgment of God that every mouth may be stopped (v.19).

 

All the Parts of Man Have Become Tools of Sins

A.   Throat ---- which is an open tomb (v.13); 

B.   Tongues ---- with which man have practiced deceit (v.13); 

C.   Lips ---- under which there is the poison of asps (v.13);  

D.   Mouth ---- whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness (v.14);

E.   Feet ---- which are swift to shed blood (v.15); 

F.    Hands ---- which bring destruction and misery (v.16); 

G.   Heart ---- which is ignorant of the way of peace (v.17);  

H.   Eyes ---- before which there is no fear of God (v.18); 

 

The Function of the Law

A.   Whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law (v.19).

B.   The law can stop every mouth that all the world may become guilty before God (v.19).

C.   By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified (v.20).

D.   By the law is the knowledge of sin (v.20);

 

The Victory of God’s Judgment

A.   The unbending mouth may be stopped ---- be convinced in one’s mouth (v.19).

B.   The unyielding knees kneel down and cannot stand ---- be convinced in one’s body (v.19).

C.   The simple heart acknowledges the sin and no longer calls himself righteous ---- be sincerely convinced in one’s heart (v.20).

 

The Outline of the Firm Truth of Justification by Faith

A.   The times of justification ---- now (v.21);

B.   The way of justification ---- apart from the law (v.21);

C.   The testimony of justification ---- being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets (v.21);

D.   The definition of justification ---- the righteousness of God is given to man (v.22);

E.   The condition of justification ---- through faith in Jesus Christ (v.22);

F.    The sphere of justification ---- there is no difference among all those who believe (v.22);

G.   The demand for justification ---- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (v.23);

H.   The origin the justification ---- God’s grace (v.24);

I.      The fulfillment of justification ---- through the redemption of Christ (v.24);

J.    The cost of justification ---- man are justified freely by His blood (v.24);

K.   The manifestation of justification ---- God’s righteousness (v.25-26);

L.    The knowledge of justification ---- to demonstrate that God is just (v.26);

M.   The result of justification ---- Man have nothing to boast of: to men themselves, they mouths are stopped; but to God, their mouths have to be opened to praise God (v.27);

N.   The truth of justification is right ---- which corresponds to the only God as well as the fact that men are equal (v.28-30);

O.   The truth of justification corresponds to the Old Testament ---- it does not make void the law but establish the law(v.31);

 

The Definition of Justification by Faith

A.   The definition of justification by faith: “the righteousness of Godto all and on all who believe” (v.22);

B.   The condition of justification by faith: “through faith in Jesus Christ” (v.22);

C.   The sphere of justification by faith: “there is no difference” (v.22);

D.   The origin of justification by faith: “God’s grace” (v.24);

E.   The fulfillment of justification by faith: “through the redemption of Christ” (v.24);

F.    The cost of justification by faith: “be justified freely” (v.24);

 

Three Elements of the Fulfillment of God’s Salvation

A.   God’s grace ---- Christ (v.24);

B.   Christ’s redemption ---- the cross (v.24-25);

C.   Man’s faith ---- spiritual sight and reception (v.25);

 

The Redemption of Jesus Christ

A.   A contradictory situation where grace and righteousness exist simultaneously (v.24).

B.   God set forth Christ as a propitiation (v.25-26)

1.    God showed His forbearance toward men “previously”, but “now” God had poured out His entire wrath that was treasured previously.

2.    God’s righteousness had been abundantly satisfied and manifested.

3.    Those who believe can also be justified through Jesus Christ ---- those who believe become the witness and sample of righteousness.

C.   Where there is the propitiation and mercy-seat (v.25) ---- the propitiation can also be translated as “mercy-seat”.

D.   The way of receiving redemption (v.27-31).

 

The Foundations of Justification by Faith

A.   The first foundation: “God set forth Jesus as a propitiation” (v.25);

B.   The second foundation: “in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed” (v.25);

C.   The third foundation: “to demonstrate that He is just” (v.26);

 

The Way of Justification by Faith

A.   It is not by “the law of works”, but by “the law of faith” (v.27).

B.   A man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law (v.28).

 

The Purpose of God’s Setting Forth the Law of Faith in the Lord

A.   To make men have nothing to boast of (v.27-28);

B.   To make men believe God is the only true God (v.29-30);

C.   To make men establish the law by faith (v.31);

 

The Equity of Justification by Faith

C.   It corresponds to the fact and the principle that there is only one God (v.29-30).

D.   The Jews are justified “out of faith”, and the Gentiles are justified “by faith” (v.30).

E.   It shall not only not make the law void but also establish the law (v.31).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou