Romans 3:21-26, Translation and Outline

Translation

^3:21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been manifested, being attested to by the law and the prophets, ²² specifically the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God displayed Him publicly as the means of expiation in His blood through faith. (He did this) to demonstrate His righteousness because in the forbearance of God He had withheld His wrath against the sins previously committed. ²⁶ This was to demonstrate His righteousness in the present time so that He would be just and the justifier of the one (who lives) in the faithfulness of Jesus.

Main Idea

The righteousness of God is vindicated through the sacrifice of Christ that demonstrates both God’s mercy to humanity who believes in Him through faith and also His wrath against sin.

Outline

I. The righteousness of God has now been made manifest in the obedience of Christ Jesus to bring about redemption for all of humanity (v. 21–24).

A. The righteousness of God has now been manifested (v. 21).

1. The manifestation of God’s righteousness is distinct from humanity’s fulfillment of the Law’s requirements (v. 21a).

2. The manifestation of God’s righteousness is consistently revealed throughout the Old Testament scriptures (v. 21b).

B. The righteousness of God is specifically culminated in the faithful obedience of Jesus Christ (v. 22a).

C. The righteousness of God is made available for all who believe (without distinction) in this faithful obedience of Jesus Christ (v. 22b–24).

1. The reason the righteousness of God is for all those who believe is because there are no differences amongst humanity in regards to a person’s righteousness standing before God (v. 22b, c).

2. The reason there is no distinction between people is because all of humanity is equally culpable of sin and equally presented with the redemption of Christ (v. 23–24).

a. All of humanity is equally culpable in its failure to attain to the righteous standards established by God (v. 23).

i. The entirety of humanity has presented an offense against the nature of the Holy God.

ii. The entirety of humanity has failed to meet the perfect standard set forth by the gloriousness of God.

b. All of humanity is equally presented with the means of redemption through the free grace of Jesus Christ (v. 24).

i. The entirety of humanity has before it the possibility of being fixed in a right relationship with God purely by His free grace.

ii. The grace of God which comes freely to all people is only made possible through the redeeming actions of Christ.

II. The redemption of all humanity through faith in Jesus Christ is brought about solely by His bloody public sacrifice as the means of expiation (v. 25a).

III. The reason why God displayed Christ publicly as the means of expiation was to make clear His righteous character and actions (v. 25b–26).

A. The reason why God displayed Christ publicly as the means of expiation was to exhibit His righteousness (v. 25b).

1. The reason why God clearly made known His righteousness is because He had previously withheld His wrath against sin.

2. The withholding of God’s wrath against sin occurred because of the great mercy of God.

B. The reason that God display Christ publicly as propitiation presently was specifically to demonstrate that He by nature both defines and emanates justice (v. 26).

1. The reason why God demonstrated His righteousness at the present time through the sacrifice of Christ was so that God would exemplify His nature of being perfectly just.

2. The reason why God demonstrated His righteousness at the present time through the sacrifice of Christ was so that He alone would justify mankind apart from works.