Unlocking the Heart of the Bible: Romans 3:21-26
Martin Luther, a renowned theologian, referred to Romans 3:21-26 as the “chief point, and the very central place of the Epistle [to the Romans], and of the whole Bible.” This pivotal passage is divided into four sections (Rom. 3:21, 22-23, 24, 25-26), each revealing a crucial aspect of God’s plan for humanity.
The Righteousness of God Revealed
The passage begins by announcing that the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, yet witnessed by the Law and the Prophets (Rom. 3:21). This declaration marks a significant shift in salvation history, one that Jesus inaugurated with his death, resurrection, and ascension.
Universal Access to God’s Righteousness
The righteousness of God is universally available, without ethnic distinction, to all who trust in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22). The Greek words for “faith” and “believe” are intricately linked, emphasizing that trust in Jesus is the sole means of accessing God’s righteousness. This universal scope is rooted in the fact that all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23).
Justification by Faith
God declares believers righteous as a gift, by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:24). This justification is not earned or purchased but is a free gift, underscoring the costly nature of redemption. Jesus’ sacrificial death is the means by which God propitiates his righteous wrath, turning it into favor.
Propitiation: The Turning Point
The concept of propitiation is central to understanding God’s saving work. Jesus is the mercy seat, the place where God accomplished the ultimate propitiation (Rom. 3:25). This act satisfies God’s righteous wrath, allowing him to justly declare believing sinners innocent. Propitiation is accessible through faith alone, demonstrating God’s righteousness in passing over former sins and declaring believers righteous.
The Problem of Evil Solved
The cross addresses the ultimate problem of evil, reconciling God’s holiness and justice with his forgiveness and justification of sinners. Jesus’ propitiation turns God’s wrath into favor, resolving the tension between God’s attributes. This resolution is the greatest news humanity could hear, and it is the heart of the gospel.
In Romans 3:21-26, we find the core of the Christian message, one that explains and exults in the greatest news we could hear. This passage reveals the righteousness of God, universal access to it, justification by faith, propitiation, and the solution to the problem of evil. It is a profound and life-changing message that continues to transform lives today.
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