This is the most important section of the book; arguably, the clearest explanation of salvation anywhere.
Though well-known, it is hard to overemphasize the importance of Romans 3:21-31 in explaining how the wrath
of God is fulfilled. Chapter Four is, in my opinion, the clearest explanation of how salvation worked in the
Old Testament (short answer: through Christ, the same as it does in the New). And Chapter Five ties the
whole thing together, covering the results of our salvation - peace with God and the righteousness of Christ.
Remember the problem Paul is addressing; if God places his wrath on everyone who has sinned,
how can we escape since we are sinful? (Rom 2:1-3)
1. We can be saved by receiving "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ" (3:22)
If sinlessness is the standard, then none of us will ever make it because, as Paul has said, we all have sinned.
(he tell us again in 3:23 if we missed it)
No matter how much good we do, we can never erase our sin. You might be able to avoid increasing it, but
the wrath of God still falls on you.
The only way for us to gain rightesousness is from an external source; Christ alone.
2. How does this work? An explanation in three pictures (Rom 3:23-26)
Justification (declared legally innocent)
This is a word describing a result (not a method).
A Legal term - To be justified is to be declared righteous by a judge.
Guilt is a terrible burden; it scares me
This idea of being declared righteous is comforting.
Redemption (purchased from slavery)
This term refers to means of achieving the result; a payment is given for another.
Redemption is the result of having one's freedom purchased; i.e. ransom from slavery or bondage.
Propitiation (covered by blood sacrifice)
This word refers to both the means and result.
Propitiation refers to blood sacrifice; I would argue that this is the most specific of the pictures given.
Leviticus 16 has Aaron sprinkling blood on the top of the Ark of the Covenant; God filled the area between the
Cherubum above the ark. Inside the ark were reminders of God's revelations and the 10 Commandments.
The blood sat right on top of the ark, right below God. Many argue that the blood covered the Commandments
which were so frequently broken.
Result? God is "just and the justifier"
Justice is a set of rules.
God, who is the Judge, has to judge sin.
God also provides the means of justification though (of fulfilling the requirements of the law).
Incidentally, this is as close as you will get in the Bible to an explanation for why Sacrifice was required.
God's justice demands it.
Why could it not be set aside? I can't say.
3. But what about works! You're saying this is free? (Rom 3:27-31)
All people are justified by faith alone, there is nothing to boast of.
A Brief Note On Faith:
Today, we often take 'faith' to refer to
"faith is the act of deciding something is true when you don't have a good reason."
I don't believe this is Paul's definition.
Paul isn't talking about why you believe something at all; I think a better definition would be
"faith is accepting and aligning with a belief."
We will see more of Paul's 'faith' in coming weeks, but it is worth nothing that he consistently
emphasizes two things about it:
- Paul emphasizes that faith means you don't earn your salvation
"justified as a gift" (v24) "where is boasting? it is excluded" (v27)
- Paul emphasizes that faith and obedience are strongly linked.
"those who by perseverence in doing good seek for glory", to the rest "wrath"
the latter half of chapter two touched on this, chapter 4 touches on this, and chapters 6-8 will
continue the idea.
This section shows how salvation has always been through faith in Christ, even with Abraham (the father of Israel).
How can this be? Paul's answer is that Abraham received the righteousness of Christ through faith without even
knowing of Christ.
In other words, justification was received through faith, which was shown by obedience to the law.
Read Rom 4:1-8
1. Peace and Reconciliation with God (Rom 5:1-11)
Peace with God brings day to day hope.
hope of glory instead of fear of punishment
this hope has immediate impact!
our present trials become part of something bigger, building perseverence and character.
Our status with God is much better than a lack of conflict however; it is the presence of love.
This is one of the biggest ideas here. Why did God die for us?
Love. God loved us.
Why? We were his enemy.
God is love.
God, who is just, holy, and powerful (as Islam teaches)...
Is also loving.
2. Adam brought Sin, the Law showed Sin, but Christ brought Grace (Rom 5:12-21)
Adam vs Christ
Read 5:12-15
Adam brought death
Christ brings life
Law vs Christ
Read 5:13, then 5:20-21
The law clearly showed that sin was in the world.
But Christ brings true righteousness.