But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, 26 through the forbearance of God—to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle of faith. 28 For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too? Yes, also to Gentiles, 30 for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Are we then annulling the law by this faith? Of course not! On the contrary, we are supporting the law.
In verses one to twenty of Romans chapter 3, Paul acknowledges the special role the Jews played in preserving and transmitting the Word of God. He asserts that their unfaithfulness does not nullify God's faithfulness and emphasizes that God's justice will prevail, even if it highlights human sinfulness. He quotes from the OT to show that both Jews and Gentiles are under the power of sin. He states that no one is righteous on their own, as all have turned away from God and fallen short of his glory. The Law reveals the knowledge of sin but cannot justify anyone before God. Humanity needs salvation which comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
The righteousness of God, that is God’s action in justifying sinners, as attested to by the Law of Moses and the prophets, has been made manifest in Jesus Christ and salvation is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ, without distinction, whether Jew or Gentile. All human beings commit individual acts of sin (Rom. 5:12; Ps. 14:3) and therefore cannot share in the radiant splendor and majesty of God's presence for which they were destined (2 Cor. 3:18). However, even though sinful humanity was subject to God’s wrath and deprived of God’s intimate presence, humanity was declared righteous (justified) and redeemed by God’s free and gratuitous gift of grace, through the blood of Jesus Christ. Through the righteousness of Christ (Rom. 5:19), the guilt of all of our past sins was wiped away (Eph. 2:8). God's righteousness is displayed both in his judgment of sin and in his justification of the believer who has faith in Jesus. God does not always punish us as we deserve but allows us to be reconciled to him through faith in Christ which makes us holy.
No one can boast or be proud of achieving his salvation because salvation is not based on human achievement or adherence to works of the Law but solely on faith in Jesus Christ. Even though Jews can boast of their deeds through observing the law, observing the law cannot lead to their salvation (Gal. 2:16). Jews and Gentiles agree that Yahweh is the God of all human beings (Rom. 10:12), and they are both justified on the basis of faith so circumcision is not a requirement for salvation. However, faith does not nullify the Law but upholds the Law because faith establishes a right relationship with God which fulfills the purpose and intent of the Law rather than making it obsolete.
Almighty God, we recognize our need for Your grace and mercy because our sins deprive us of Your glory. Help us to embrace the gift of faith, knowing that our justification comes not from our own works, but from your abundant grace. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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