Romans 3:19-31

19 Now we know that whatever the law says speaks to those who are subject to the law,[a] so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God's judgment.[b]
20 For no flesh will be justified[c] in His sight by the works of the law, for through the law [comes] the knowledge of sin.

God's Righteousness through Faith

21 But now, apart from the law, God's righteousness has been revealed-attested by the Law and the Prophets[d]
22 -that is, God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ,[e] to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the[f] glory of God.
24 They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
25 God presented Him as a propitiation[g] through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.
26 He presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous[h] the one who has faith in Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law?[i] By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law[j] of faith.
28 For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.
29 Or is God for Jews only? Is He not also for Gentiles? Yes, for Gentiles too,
30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
31 Do we then cancel the law through faith? Absolutely not! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Images for Romans 3:19-31

Footnotes 10

  • [a]. Lit those in the law
  • [b]. Or become guilty before God, or may be accountable to God
  • [c]. Or will be declared righteous, or will be acquitted
  • [d]. When capitalized, the Law and the Prophets OT
  • [e]. Or through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ
  • [f]. Or and lack the
  • [g]. Or as a propitiatory sacrifice, or as an offering of atonement, or as a mercy seat; see Heb 9:5. The word propitiation has to do with the removal of divine wrath. Jesus' death is the means that turns God's wrath from the sinner; see 2 Co 5:21.
  • [h]. Or and justify, or and acquit
  • [i]. Or what principle?
  • [j]. Or a principle
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