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Romans Chapter
Three
I. Content of the Chapter
The Judgment and
Justification of God
A.
God’s judgment on the Jews:
1.
The unbelief makes the faithfulness of God without effect (v.1-4);
2.
Man’s unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (v.5-8);
B.
God’s judgment on the whole world:
1.
The whole world is
under sin (v.9-18).
2.
The whole world is
under the judgment of God (v.19-20).
C.
God’s righteousness apart from the law:
1.
The basis of
justification ----the grace of God and the redemption of Jesus Christ (v.21
23-26).
2.
The way of
justification ---- believe but not keep the law (v.22
27-30);
3.
The result of
justification ---- confirm the law (v.31);
II. Verse by Verse commentary
Rom. 3:1 “What advantage then has the
Jew
or what is the profit of circumcision? ”
YLT: “What
then
the
superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of the circumcision?”
Meaning of Words: “advantage”: exceeding
abundantly above
more abundantly
beyond measure
superfluous; “profit”: usefulness
benefit;
Literal Meaning: “then”
it refers to verse
“What
advantage has the Jew
or what is the profit of circumcision?” ---- Since the
Jews and the letter and circumcision they hold are belittled in the previous
chapter
then why God chose the Jews? What advantage has the Jews on earth
comparing with the Gentiles? Why God gave them circumcision and what was the
function of it on earth?
“Advantage”
refers to superiority ---- the Jews have their superior status; “profit” refers
to effect and benefit
and the circumcision must have its function.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
If the advantage and
profit are not well cherished
they will be manipulated by the devil to deceive
men
thus turning to be the stumbling-blocks of men.
2)
Though Christians
have inherited many spiritual privileges (Eph. 1:3)
these privileges are not
only our enjoyment
but also our responsibilities. We should live through them
for God.
Rom. 3:2 “Much in every way! Chiefly
because to them were committed the oracles of God. ”
YLT: “much in every
way; for first
indeed
that they were intrusted with the oracles of God;”
Meaning of Words: “chiefly”: firstly; “commit”: entrust; put in trust with;
Literal Meaning: “much in every way”! ----
It means that all the works of God have great advantages. God never does vain
works. Note that Paul only mentions one advantage of the Jews in this chapter.
The rest ones
please refer to verse 4 to
“Chiefly
because to them were committed the oracles of God”. ---- “The oracles of God”
refers to the Old Testament. “Be committed”
it is a kind of entrustment out of
faith.
Among
those many things profitable to men done by God
the most important is that God
entrusted His oracles ---- the Scriptures ---- to men (Heb. 1:1). God’s word is
the expression of God
through which man can know God Himself and God’s will.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
God “entrusted” His oracles to men
which meant that God
entrusted the revelation of His will and counsel to us. What great honor!
2)
Rom. 3:3 “For what if some did not
believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? ”
YLT: “for what
if
certain were faithless? shall their faithlessness the faithfulness of god make
useless?”
Literal Meaning: “for what if some did not
believe?” ---- It seems that there is a word of question between the second
verse to the third verse
murmurings in hearts without being declared. Therefore
Paul here gives the answer to hidden discussions. Men may say disdainfully that
though God committed His oracles to the Jews
they had not enjoyed the
advantage because of unbelief.
“Will
their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?” ---- Paul’s answer
to the previous question is: “if we are unfaithful
he abides faithful
for he
cannot deny himself (2Tim. 2:13). Men’s unbelief cannot make the faithfulness
of God without effect.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
God is faithful. His
word must be fulfilled. He who trusts in Him shall never be ashamed (Rom. 9:28
33).
2)
Since God is
faithful
we shall “not
fear
but believe” (Mark 5:36).
Rom. 3:4 “Certainly not! Indeed
let
God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be
justified in Your words
And may overcome when You are judged." ”
YLT: “let it not be!
and let God become true
and every man false
according as it hath been
written
`That Thou mayest be declared righteous in Thy words
and mayest
overcome in Thy being judged.'”
Literal Meaning: “certainly not! Indeed
let God be true but every man a liar”. ---- since man was untrue and treacherous
and unreliable
man’s unbelief was nothing. The true God will not change
Himself because of man’s condition. Therefore
God’s oracles are still operative
and powerful.
“As
it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words
And may overcome
when You are judged."” ---- This is the word of David’s words of
repentance after he had sinned (Ps. 51:4). On one hand
it shows that when man
breaks faith and makes mistakes
God will judge and rebuke him so as to
manifest His righteousness. On the other hand
it indicates that when man
schemes to judge God
it contrarily turns to be a chance for God to prove Him.
Just like in a court
God always wins the suit. In a word
man can never judge
God
because God is righteous.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
God’s punishment for man’s sins shows that He is a God of
righteousness. Therefore
we shall fear and tremble more. Lest we sin against
if we are not watchful enough.
2)
“That
Jesus Christ righteous”
(1John 2:11)
no matter when He judges
or is judged
His triumphant
righteousness shall be both manifested (see Matt. 22:46; 23; John 18:33-38).
Rom. 3:5 “But if our unrighteousness
demonstrates the righteousness of God
what shall we say? Is God unjust who
inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) ”
YLT: “And
if our
unrighteousness God's righteousness doth establish
what shall we say? is God
unrighteous who is inflicting the wrath? (after the manner of a man I speak)”
Meaning of Words: “demonstrate”: approve commend consist stand with;
Literal Meaning: “I speak as a man.” ----
It means speaking like a common man in the world
defending ignorantly and
absurdly.
Paul here simulates man’s defense. God
judges men and inflicts His wrath because of man’s unrighteousness. However
as
it is said previously
when God judges and rebukes man
He is justified. Then
does not man’s unrighteousness exactly give a chance for God to manifest His
righteousness? Thus
man’s righteousness has its function
doesn’t it?
Therefore
God should not inflict His wrath to punish man’s unrighteousness. If
God inflicts His wrath
He is not righteous. However
these are words of man’s
defense by sophistry.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“Speak
as a man”
it is usually dead
fallacy. Therefore
we shall never parrot what others say
but discern in the
light of God.
2)
We should seek to
the growth of life so that our language
thoughts and mind can be delivered
from babyhood and ignorance
thus being able to distinguish both good and evil
(Heb. 5:14).
Rom. 3:6 “Certainly not! For then how
will God judge the world? ”
YLT: “let it not be!
since how shall God judge the world?”
Literal Meaning: “how will God judge the
world?” ---- “Judge” refers to the judgment in the end; “the world” refers to the
whole mankind (see v.19).
This verse indicates that God’s
inflicting His wrath is certainly not that God is unjust. God who is the Judge
of all the earth should do right (Gen. 18:25).
Rom. 3:7 “For if the truth of God has
increased through my lie to His glory
why am I also still judged as a sinner?”
YLT: “for if the
truth of God in my falsehood did more abound to His glory
why yet am I also as
a sinner judged?”
Meaning of Words: “increase”: abound
be the
better
enough and to spare
exceed
excel
increase
be left
redound;
Literal Meaning: the words are the same as
that in verse five and six ---- the Jews of unbelief seek reasons for them to dodge
the responsibilities of their sins. They say
since man’s faults can more demonstrate
God’s truth and glory
God should not judge nor condemn man.
Enlightenment in the Word: man’s unbelief can not
make God’s faithfulness without effect (v.3)
and man’s unrighteousness demonstrates
the righteousness of God (v.5) and man’s faults manifest God’s glory of truth.
God’s throne is settled in the heavens. He is never influenced by man. How
trustworthy He is! We just rely on Him in rest.
Rom. 3:8 “And why not say
"Let
us do evil that good may come"?--as we are slanderously reported and as
some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.”
YLT: “and not
as we
are evil spoken of
and as certain affirm us to say -- `We may do the evil
things
that the good ones may come?' whose judgment is righteous.”
Literal Meaning: “their condemnation is just”. “Their”
it has two explanations according to the original ---- one refers to those who
say these words
and the other is what they have said. Therefore
it can be
interpreted from two aspects ---- one is that those who say these words should
be condemned
and the other is that such defense of them should be
condemned.
Such men
have distorted and defamed the apostle’s words
thinking that the knowledge of the
gospel preached by Paul makes men need not to keep the law (Col. 2:20-23). It
just conforms to their words of defense ---- men’s sins help God to manifest
His goodness. Such defense perverts the truth of God and proves that they are
unwilling to repent to receive the salvation of God. Therefore
they should be
under the judgment of God.
The
paragraph from verse 1 to verse
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Satan usually uses
the fallacy of “doing
evil that good may come”
to deceive men in order to make men sin in self-abandonment. Actually
it is
Satan’s scheme of
disesteeming and maligning God.
2)
A saying goes like
this
“the wicked one has
the wicked reason”. Even a thief
thinks he has his reason right in his sight. However
we Christians should take
the word of God as truth instead of trying to justify ourselves.
YLT: “What
then? are
we better? not at all! for we did before charge both Jews and Greeks with being
all under sin
”
Literal Meaning: “Are we better than they?”
“We” refers to the Gentiles and the Jews who do not rely on the law (for Paul
includes himself into “we”). “They” refers to the Jews who rely on the law. Actually
there is no choice between both the Gentiles and the Jews concerning the
nature.
“Both Jews and Greeks
that they are all under sin”
“under sin”: under the power and condemnation of sin.
Note that Paul has altogether mentioned nine times of the universality of sin
from verse nine to twelve (“all”
two times
“none”
four times
“together”
one time).
Rom. 3:10 “As it is written:
"There is none righteous
no
not one; ”
YLT: “according as it
hath been written -- `There is none righteous
not even one;”
Literal Meaning: “As it is written”
the
words from verse ten to twelve are quoted from the Book of Psalm (14:1-3;
53:1-3;)
the Book of Ecclesiastes (7:20)
proving that all men in the world
have sinned
without exception.
“There is none righteous
no
not one.”
---- It indicates that man is wicked by nature and no one can reach the
standard of the righteousness of God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
In the sight of man
there is the difference between good man and wicked man. However
in the sight
of God
“there is none righteous
no
not one.”
2)
Whether a man is “righteous” is decided by whether he has “the life of righteousness” in him. He who does not believe the Lord
must have no life of righteousness
and therefore is not righteous.
Rom. 3:11 “There is none who
understands; There is none who seeks after God. ”
YLT: “There is none
who is understanding
there is none who is seeking after God.”
Literal Meaning: “there is none who
understands”
it refers to the vileness of man in thoughts ---- man’s thoughts
have become foolish and dark (Rom. 1:21-22; Matt. 13:14)
therefore man cannot
know God and the truth.
“There
is none who seeks after God.” It refers to the vileness of man in desire ----
man only seeks to satisfy the physical and mental desire
but does not seek God
to make up the vanity in his deep heart.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“There is none who
understands”
obviously
men’s understanding is not reliable. Without the
enlightenment and working of the Holy Spirit
we cannot understand the
knowledge of salvation by ourselves (2Cor. 2:14).
2)
The lost man will
never seek God through himself. He can only do it on account of the working of
the Holy Spirit.
3)
We have not sought
God
but He has sought us (Luke 19:10). Since He has found us now
we have to
come to seek Him (Matt. 7:7-8).
4)
What God seeks is
the “man” (Gen. 3:9). But what we believers seek is
usually not God Himself
but some “blessings” besides God.
Rom. 3:12 “They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good
no
not
one." ”
YLT: “All did go out
of the way
together they became unprofitable
there is none doing good
there
is not even one.”
Literal Meaning: “they have all turned
aside”
it is like the fish that is seduced by the bait
the beasts that have
fallen into traps because of the bait and the travelers who have run into the
side road by some attractions. Therefore
it refers to the faults of men in the
orientation of life ---- men have all lost in the world and have been deprived
of goal of life.
“They
have together become unprofitable”
it means that the food is too bad to be ate
and has not any function except for being cast out. It is then used to refer to
the futility of men in function ---- man had fallen short of the will and purpose
of God in His creation. Humanity without Christ is perverse and futile.
“There
is none who does good
no
not one." It refers to the corruption in
actions ---- no one is willing to anything to glorify God besides his duty.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
God Himself is the
right way. Once men stopped from seeking God
they have turned aside. The most terrible is they have together become
unprofitable. Whenever one does
not seek God
He will become a fertile man.
2)
In the sight of God
man is created to be the vessel of God. Apart from that
man is nothing. The
purpose of man is to be used by God.
3)
Sin is a universal
problem among men. It is not only restricted in some men or some kind of men
that can commit some kind of sins.
4)
“There is none righteous
no
not one” (v.10)
“There is none who does good
no
not one” ---- this is the judgment of God.
Obviously
it is not because we are better than others that we can be saved
but God’s grace comes upon
us for us to be saved.
Rom. 3:13 “"Their throat is an open
tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of
asps is under their lips";”
YLT: “A sepulchre
opened their throat; with their tongues they used deceit; poison of asps under
their lips.”
Literal Meaning: “their throat is an open tomb”
it
is quoted from the Book of Psalm (5:9)
indicating the inner vileness of men
who spread death and filth everywhere (Matt. 23:27; 15:18-20).
“With
their tongues they have practiced deceit”
men are accustomed
to deceit and
let it become a part of their life.
“The
poison of asps is under their lips”
this verse is quoted from the Book
of Psalm (140:3). Men are manipulated by the devil to transmit toxins that hurt
men.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Among the four
hundred members of a man
tongue is the member that sins most frequently.
Tongue is also the one that is most difficult to be tamed (see James 3:1-8).
Because tongue is the expression of the whole person ---- of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaks (see Matt. 12:33-37).
2)
The filth of man’s tongue is because of men’s evil nature. Therefore
when Isaiah saw
the vision of the holy God
he immediately felt
“I am a man of unclean lips
and I dwell in
the midst of a people of unclean lips”
(Is. 6:5).
3)
If we do not live in
spirit but in the flesh
we may speak terrible words and bring about deceit and
death.
4)
Only our Lord had
shown His pure righteousness and absolute victory in word when He walked on the
earth
though the enemy often surrounded Him to take hold of Him in language to
ensnare Him in speaking (Matt. 22:15; Luke 11:53-54). Oh! He is really
God
the Word in the beginning that
is settled in the heaven and never changes (see John 1:1; Ps. 119:89).
Rom. 3:14 “"Whose mouth is full
of cursing and bitterness." ”
YLT: “Whose mouth is
full of cursing and bitterness.”
Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the
Book of Psalm (10:7)
showing that men lack good words edifying others in
language.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Voice. If our
spirits are filled by the Holy Spirit
our lips will be covered by blessings
thanksgiving and edifying words (Eph. 5:18-19).
2)
Word in the mouth of
our Christians is the index of the faith in us. The expression of the one who
really has faith is the absence of offenses in his words (James 2:26-3:2).
3)
We shall pray for
the Lord that “set a watch before
my mouth
and keep the door of my lips.” (Ps. 141:3).
Rom. 3:15 “"Their feet are swift
to shed blood; ”
YLT: “Swift their
feet to shed blood.”
Literal Meaning: this verse and verse 16
are quoted from the Book of Proverbs (1:16) and the Book of Isaiah (59:7)
showing that man is adept at committing sins and evils and is skilled in
escaping the responsibility.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Our feet should not “stand in the way of sinners” (Ps. 1:1).
2)
Many believers walk
in the way of the Lord slowly
but in the way of the world swiftly.
Rom. 3:16 “Destruction and misery are
in their ways; ”
YLT: “Ruin and misery
in their ways.”
Literal Meaning: it points that men’s hands
do evil or violence everywhere. They do not only not set their mind on divine
services but also bring destruction and damage to others.
Rom. 3:17 “And the way of peace they
have not known." ”
YLT: “And a way of
peace they did not know.”
Literal Meaning: it is quoted from the Book
of Isaiah (59:8). They do not know the way of peace in heart. Men understand
nothing about enjoying the rest in spirit at all.
Rom. 3:18 “"There is no fear of
God before their eyes." ”
YLT: “There is no
fear of God before their eyes.'”
Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the
Book of Psalm (36:1). They show that they do not fear God with their eyes.
The paragraph from verse 13 to verse 18
proves that a patient at the point of death is examined by the doctor and is
proved that he is beyond redemption.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The world is blind
and does not know God. Therefore
they totally walk in their will without
fearing whether they have against God.
2)
The fear of God is
the origin of all piety. Once man does not fear God
he will naturally have
many vile deeds.
3)
Many Christians fear
men but not fear God. But he who really knows God fears God and respects men.
4)
A fearful thing
falling into hands of living God (Heb. 10:31).
Rom. 3:19 “Now we know that whatever
the law says
it says to those who are under the law
that every mouth may be
stopped
and all the world may become guilty before God.”
YLT: “And we have
known that as many things as the law saith
to those in the law it doth speak
that every mouth may be stopped
and all the world may come under judgment to
God;”
Literal Meaning: “now we know that whatever
the law says”
the word from verse 10 to 18 is “whatever the law says”
because
the Jews hold the whole Old Testament is the law (see John 10:34).
“Those
who are under the law”
it can also be translated as “those who are in the law”
namely
the Jews.
“That
all the world may become guilty before God”
the Jews are as sinful as the
Gentiles.
We can see from this
verse that the function of the law is not making the Jews who know the law
(namely
those who are under the law) think they are superior
but pointing out
the faults of them. Therefore
they can not deny but admit that they are also guilty
before God as the Gentiles
and thus humble themselves.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Thank the Lord! We
have been redeemed from the law by the Lord. Therefore
the words in the law
cannot restrict us. We have not to be responsible for the words in the law.
What glorious deliverance!
2)
Since we have been
delivered from the law
we shall serve in newness of spirit
and not in oldness
of letter (
Rom. 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of
the law no flesh will be justified in His sight
for by the law is the
knowledge of sin.”
YLT: “wherefore by
works of law shall no flesh be declared righteous before Him
for through law
is a knowledge of sin.”
Meaning of Words: “justify”: render
just or innocent
be righteous;
Literal Meaning: “therefore by the deeds of
the law no flesh will be justified in His sight”
“flesh” refers to all men in the
flesh
including the Jews and the Gentiles. “Justify” means that God approves
men’s deeds according to His righteous standard.
This verse is derived from the Book of
Psalm (143:2). Since all flesh had corrupted (Gen. 6:12)
no one could be
justified by working the law. The purpose of God’s granting the law was not
letting man do the law
but proving that man could not do so that man would
know his depravity and evil.
“For
by the law is the knowledge of sin”
this is the conclusion of the previous
paragraph
showing that the law is given to make man know his sin and know that
he can never be justified by doing the law. This conclusion has repeatedly
appeared from 5:20 to 7:11 and is further deduced and extended therein.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The purpose of God’s giving the law was not making man do the
law
but manifesting man’s
sins so as to lead him to repent and be saved by the Lord’s salvation.
2)
Since man cannot be
justified by doing the law
he should early give up the way and no longer
expect to change himself but simply believe the Lord.
Rom. 3:21 “But now the righteousness
of God apart from the law is revealed
being witnessed by the Law and the
Prophets
”
YLT: “And now apart
from law hath the righteousness of God been manifested
testified to by the law
and the prophets
”
Literal Meaning: “but now”
the word “but”
indicates that it is totally different from the previous condition
unveiling
that the gospel of God is the turning point of man’s destiny
because God has
opened a new era. “Now” refers to the times of the New Testament. Though in the
times of the Old Testament in the past
justification by faith had already been
revealed (Gen. 15:6)
Christ had not come at that time. Therefore
the
righteousness of God will not be firmly revealed until “now”.
“The righteousness of God apart from the
law is revealed”
“the righteousness of God” is the just and upright nature of
God (Rom. 1:17; 10:3; Phil. 3:9). The requirement of God’s righteousness is far
beyond man’s works. Men’s righteousnesses are as filthy rags before God (Is.
64:6) and can never reach the righteous standard of God. Therefore
men cannot
be justified by the law (Rom. 3:20
28).
“Is revealed”
it points that God has already
revealed the truth of justification by faith to men. Justification by faith is the
manifestation of God’s righteousness.
“Being
witnessed by the Law and the Prophets”
it means that all the records in the
Old Testament prove that men cannot ne justified by the law
and can only be
redeemed through the salvation of Jesus Christ.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
We are often
grateful for God’s love and God’s grace
but seldom appreciate God’s righteousness. Actually the righteousness
of God is rather precious. If God’s
righteousness has not been manifested apart from the law
we can neither receive
God’s grace nor God’s love.
2)
Men wanted to do the
law to manifest God’s
righteousness. However
God reveals His righteousness “apart from the law” in Jesus Christ. It indicates that when the
orthodox things have fallen into dead letters or rigid rules
“apart them”
God may often raise fresh and living
things that have the reality of Christ to perfect His will.
Rom. 3:22 “even the righteousness of
God
through faith in Jesus Christ
to all and on all who believe. For there is
no difference;”
YLT: “and the
righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ to all
and upon all
those believing
-- for there is no difference
”
Literal Meaning: this verse illustrates the
definition
condition and sphere of justification by faith:
1)
The
definition of justification by faith ---- the righteousness of God “to all and
on all who believe”; we had no righteousness of God before receiving the Lord
but God’s righteousness is given to us through “faith” in Jesus Christ
and
thus we are justified before God.
2)
The
condition of justification by faith ---- “faith in Jesus Christ”. “Through
faith in Jesus Christ”
it means that out faith comes from the Lord (Heb. 12:2)
and takes Jesus Christ as the object (Acts 16:31; John 20:31) as well as the
sphere where our faith shall be increased and kept (1Tim. 1:14).
3)
The
sphere of justification by faith ---- “all and on all who believe. For there is
no difference”; no matter the good or the wicked in the sight of man
the Jews
or the Gentiles
the wise or the fool
male and female
there is no difference
(Col. 3:11; Gal. 3:28; 2Cor. 12:13). They have only to have “faith”.
“To
all and on all who believe”
“to all and on all”
it reveals that justification
is given objectively
not being perfected subjectively.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If we all rely on doing the law
it is our
failure and should be condemned by God. However
because of the salvation of
the Lord who sheds His blood
the “righteousness of God
through faith in Jesus Christ
to
all and on all who believe”.
Therefore
God does not ask us to do the law but asks us to believe the Lord
Jesus. Oh! What great grace.
2) God has already put Jesus Christ before our
eyes
and His death of sacrifice has redeemed our sins and delivered us from
the penalty caused by our rebellion against God. Jesus Christ had accomplished
all things for us
and we shall enjoy them by faith.
3)
To receive the grace
of God is: a) unconditional ---- apart from the law
and man shall believe (v.21); b) unlimited ---- “to all and on all who believe
for there is no difference”.
4)
We may often think
that we have no “faith” through ourselves
because we have no faith
in us. The faith that we have obtained is in the Lord
who is the leader and completer of
our faith (Heb. 12:2). Therefore
we should not seek faith
by ourselves
but rely on Him at any moment.
Rom. 3:23 “for all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God
”
YLT: “for all did
sin
and are come short of the glory of God --”
Meaning of Words: “fall short”: be destitute
lack
be
in want
to be later
to be inferior;
Literal Meaning: this verse shows the
reason for the need of justification by faith:
1)
“For
all have sinned”
in the negative aspect
men have all violated the law and
fallen short of the righteousness of God.
2)
“And
fall short of the glory of God
in the positive aspect
man has not manifested the
glory of God according to the purpose that God created man
but manifests the
evil and filth of the devil. Therefore
man has fallen short of the glory of
God
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The glory of God is
the level at which man has to live before God. All man’s deeds that fall short of God’s glory are man’s wanting concerning the level of God’s glory
and therefore those are sins. For all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God.
2)
The reason why God
declares “there is none righteous
no
not one (v.10)” is that He measures man according to His “glory”. If it is measured by the level of
morality
we cannot say there is none righteous man in the world. However
if
it is measured by the level of God’s
glory
at measure of the stature of the fullness of His Son
all the “lack” of men will be exposed. Therefore
he who
has not reached the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ has
fallen short of God’s
glory in the sight of God and needs the salvation of Jesus Christ (v.24).
3) All that fails to glorify God is sin. And
all that makes the glory of God suffer loss is sin. Whenever we fall short of
God’s glory
and even
when we have
one thing that has not glorified God or has fallen short of God’s
glory
our fellowship with God will be interrupted and we will suffer loss.
4) God has created man for His
glory. God desires to let man boast in His glory (Rom. 5:2; 1Cor.11:7).
5) Though all men “have fallen short of the
glory of God” because
of the depravity
they have the full
glory of hope in Christ (Col. 1:27).
Rom. 3:24 “being justified freely by
His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
”
YLT: “being declared
righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that in Christ Jesus
”
Meaning of Words: “redemption”: to be
delivered by paying the ransom in full (it was a word used in the slavery
market in the original); “freely”: without a cause
for naught
in vain
gratuitously;
“justify”: be acquitted of a charge (a word used in the court);
Literal Meaning: “being justified freely”
“freely”
it refers to a free gift; all those who believe (v.22) shall be justified
freely. It does not mean all those who have sinned in the world (v.23) can be
justified freely.
This verse has illustrated the origin
way and cost of justification by faith:
1)
The
origin of justification by faith ---- “the grace of God”. “Grace” means that
man was unworthy of receiving something but now he has obtained. The grace of
God is the gift that God has granted to us in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:7).
2)
The
way of justification by faith ---- “through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus”; God is righteous. He can not forgive men’s sins for no reason at all. He
had paid the necessary cost to meet His righteous requirement so that He could
redeem man through the lawful way
and thus He could justify man.
3)
The
cost of justification by faith ---- “freely”; Christ Jesus had paid the cost
for us in on the cross
so God could not require another cost (repaying the debt
of sin) from us. Therefore
the cost of justification is free.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
That we are
justified is really not because our deeds are better than others
but totally
due to the salvation of Jesus Christ. We have nothing to boast of.
2)
If the Lord Jesus
had not fulfilled the salvation on the cross to meet all the requirement of the righteousness of God
even though
God desired to justify us by His grace
it could never be realized.
Rom. 3:25 “whom
God set forth as a propitiation by His blood
through faith
to demonstrate His
righteousness
because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that
were previously committed
”
YLT: “whom God did
set forth a mercy seat
through the faith in his blood
for the shewing forth
of His righteousness
because of the passing over of the bygone sins in the
forbearance of God --”
Meaning of Words: “set forth”: exhibit
display openly; “propitiation”: an expiatory place
mercy-seat
an atoning
victim; “pass over”: put aside
pass;
Literal Meaning: “whom God set forth as a
propitiation”
here it mentions the first foundation of justification by faith.
According to the original
it can also be translated as “God set forth Jesus as
“an expiatory place” (or “mercy-seat”) openly. Men were isolated from God after
man had sinned and could not draw near to God. Now God has set about reversing
the situation ---- He sets forth Jesus as the expiatory place so that God and
men can be in oneness in Christ Jesus.
“By
His blood
through faith”
both of “by His blood” and “through faith” are used
to modify “propitiation”. On one hand
God can remit men’s sins (Heb. 9:22) by
the blood of Jesus to meet the requirement of God in this aspect so that God
can accept men. On the other hand
man can draw and enjoy the efficacy of the
blood of Jesus by faith so as to draw near to God with boldness (Heb. 10:19).
“To
demonstrate His righteousness”
in this way
we are justified by God in Christ
Jesus (Gal. 2:17). We also admit God’s righteousness so that His righteousness
is perfectly demonstrated. On one hand
it is God’s grace that He has prepared
us a Savior. All the works of redemption that He had done on us are out of the
grace of God. On the other hand
the righteousness of God makes the salvation
fulfilled on us so that God can justify us. The righteousness of God is the
principle of His works. He must work in line with His righteous principle. The
redemption of Christ has already satisfied His righteous requirement
namely
His righteousness
so that God must justify us. Therefore
that God justifies
us is for the purpose of demonstrating His righteousness. In a word
only “justification
by faith” is the best way that conforms to the righteousness of God and
demonstrates the righteousness of God.
“Because
in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously
committed
” here it mentions the second foundation of justification by faith. If
God did not show His forbearance or executed His judgment and penalty on all
men’s sins in the past immediately
we would neither have the chance to believe
Jesus nor be justified by faith.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
We not only need
faith when we just believed the Lord
but also need faith and blood in the way
that we still walk with and follow the Lord.
2)
Sometimes
our
spiritual condition may be good
or sometimes low. However
our condition can
not alter our position before God
because we do not please God by our works
but by drawing the accomplished works of the Lord in faith.
3)
As we draw near to
God through faith
by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus when we are just
saved (see Eph. 2:8
13)
so will we need also to come to God with boldness
through faith
by the efficacy of the precious blood of the Lord after we have
been saved.
Rom. 3:26 “to demonstrate at the present
time His righteousness
that He might be just and the justifier of the one who
has faith in Jesus.”
YLT: “for the shewing
forth of His righteousness in the present time
for His being righteous
and
declaring him righteous who of the faith of Jesus.”
Literal Meaning: this verse mentions the
third foundation of justification by faith
i.e. “to demonstrate that He might
be just”
“That He might be just”
God is
righteous. And God’s righteousness is absolute righteousness. If man knows His
righteousness
he will know he cannot be justified by works and will never try
to justify himself by works. Therefore
God likes to manifest His righteousness
so that man shall know He is just and seek and believe the Lord Jesus.
“And the justifier of the one who has faith
in Jesus”
that God justifies those who believe Jesus means He regards them
righteous according to His righteous standard. Actually
according to our own
conditions
we cannot reach the level of God’s righteousness and have nothing
to be justified by God. But now since we have believed Jesus Christ
God has
made Jesus Christ our righteousness (1Cor. 1:30). We are those who have
believed on (John 3:16) Christ. We have put on Him in Him
so God has made Him
our righteousness. As God has justified Jesus Christ (Acts. 3:14)
so will God
also justify us (Rom. 8:33).
Rom. 3:27 “Where is boasting then? It
is excluded. By what law? Of works? No
but by the law of faith. ”
YLT: “Where then the
boasting? it was excluded; by what law? of works? no
but by a law of faith:”
Literal Meaning: this verse points that
justification is not by the law of works
but by the law of faith. If it is by
the law of works
it shows that justification is by man himself as well as his
works
so man will boast of his works that are better than that of others in
his eyes. However
here
it points that we are justified by the law of faith
which is gifted by God
and therefore man cannot boast himself (see Eph.
2:8-9).
Rom. 3:28 “Therefore we conclude that
a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”
YLT: “therefore do we
reckon a man to be declared righteous by faith
apart from works of law.”
Literal Meaning: after the deduction and exposition
in verses above
we have received a sure conclusion: man is justified by “faith”
not “works”. “The deeds of the law” are the “law of works”. This is a branch
road
not the right way.
Rom. 3:29 “Or is He the God of the
Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes
of the Gentiles also
”
YLT: “The God of Jews
only
and not also of nations?”
Literal Meaning: here it indicates that justification
corresponds to the fact and the principle that there is only one God (v.30)
and there is no respecter of persons with God (Acts. 10:34; Rom. 2:11).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Thank God! God is
not only the God of the Jews but also the God of the Gentiles. Therefore
He
not only saves the Jews but also saves the Gentiles who had nothing to do with
Him. How abundant His grace is!
2)
God is the God of
all men in the world. There is no acceptance of persons with God (Rom. 2:11).
We believers of the Lord are the children of this God with whom there is no
acceptance of persons with God. Therefore
there shall no be respect of persons
with us (James 2:11).
Rom. 3:30 “since there is one God who
will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”
YLT: “yes
also of
nations; since one God who shall declare righteous the circumcision by faith
and the uncircumcision through the faith.”
Literal Meaning: though both of the Jews
and the Gentiles have one God
the Jews are the elect of God (Deut. 7:6)
concerning God’s election
whose position is different from that of the
Gentiles. Therefore
the prepositions before the word “faith”
appearing two times in this verse are different ---- the former
as for the circumcised
is “by (or “out of”) faith”; and the latter concerning the uncircumcised is “through
faith”. The Jews are justified on the right position out of faith
and the
Gentiles are justified after coming to the right position through faith.
Rom. 3:31 “Do we then make void the
law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary
we establish the law. ”
YLT: “Law then do we
make useless through the faith? let it not be! yea
we do establish law.”
Meaning of Words: “make void”: bring to nothing; “establish”: hold up stand up;
Literal Meaning: this verse indicates that
justification by faith conforms to the principle of the law. The Lord bore men’s
sins according to the requirement of the law. He is not come to make void the
law
but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17). That we believe the Lord has met the requirement
of punishing the guilty of the law in the negative aspect. And in the positive
aspect
the great power of life in believers makes the righteous requirement of
the law be fulfilled in those who walk according to Spirit (
III. Outlines of the Spiritual
Lessons
Man Cannot Be Justified By the Law
A.
God gave the law in order to manifest His
faithfulness and righteousness (v.1-8).
B.
All the world is under the judgment of
God:
1. The Jews and Greeks are all under
sin (v.9).
2. “There is none righteous
no
not
one” (v.10-12).
3. All the parts of one’s body ----
throat
tongues
lips
mouth
feet
hand
heart and eyes ---- have become tools
of sins (v.13-18).
C. By the law is the knowledge of sin
and all the world may become guilty before God (v.19-20).
The Law is the Knowledge of Sin and
Cannot Justify Man
A.
The
profit of the law ---- to manifest God’s faithfulness and righteousness
(v.1-8);
B.
The
advantage of the law ---- to expose the terrible conditions of all the mankind
(v.9-18);
C.
The
significance of the law ---- to make man have the knowledge of sin and be under
the judgment of God (v.19-20);
D.
The
purpose of the law ---- to bring man receive the redemption of Christ (v.21);
Four Questions that the Jews Against
the Righteousness of God
A.
Which
refers to the profit of circumcision (v.1-2);
B.
Man’s
unbelief and God’s faithfulness (v.3-4);
C.
Man’s
unrighteousness and God’s righteousness (v.5-6);
D.
Man’s
sins and God’s glory (v.7-8);
The Absoluteness of God’s Nature
(Requiring Nothing to Prove His Being)
A.
The
oracles of God are absolute (v.2).
B.
The
faithfulness of God is absolute (v.3).
C.
The
righteousness of God is absolute (v.5).
D.
The
truth of God is absolute (v.7).
E.
The
glory of God is absolute (v.7).
The Wrong Proof of Doing Evil that
Good May Come
A.
Man’s
unbelief cannot make the faithfulness of God without effect (v.3).
B.
Man’s
unrighteousness can contrarily demonstrate the righteousness of God (v.5).
C.
Man’s
falseness can contrarily manifest God’s truth (v.6).
D.
Man’s
evil can contrarily perfect God’s goodness (v.8).
The “All”s of Men in the World
A.
“Who
are all under sin” (v.9) ---- there is no one who is not the slave of sin;
B.
“Who
have all turned aside” (v.12) ---- there is no one who has not lost his way;
C.
“Who
are all under the judgment of God” (v.19) ---- there is no one who has not
condemned by God;
All Have Sinned
A.
Sins
concerning the nature :
1.
There
is none righteous
no
not one (v.10).
2.
There
is none who understands (v.11).
3.
There
is none who seeks after God (v.11).
4.
They
have all turned aside and have together become unprofitable (v.12).
5.
There
is none who does good
no
not one (v.12).
B.
Sins
concerning the words :
1.
Their
throat is an open tomb (v.13).
2.
With
their tongues they have practiced deceit (v.13).
3.
The
poison of asps is under their lips (v.13).
4.
Whose
mouth is full of cursing and bitterness (v.14).
C.
Sins
concerning the deeds :
1.
Their
feet are swift to shed blood (v.15).
2.
Destruction
and misery are in their ways (v.16).
3.
And
the way of peace they have not known (v.17).
4.
There
is no fear of God before their eyes (v.18).
The Depravity of Man in the World
A.
There
is none righteous
no
not one (v.10).
B.
There
is none who understands (v.11).
C.
There
is none who seeks after God (v.11).
D.
There
is none who does good
no
not one (v.12).
E.
There
is no way of peace (v.17).
F.
There
is no fear of God (v.18).
G.
They
are all under the judgment of God that every mouth may be stopped (v.19).
All the Parts of Man Have Become Tools
of Sins
A.
Throat
---- which is an open tomb (v.13);
B.
Tongues
---- with which man have practiced deceit (v.13);
C.
Lips
---- under which there is the poison of asps (v.13);
D.
Mouth
---- whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness (v.14);
E.
Feet
---- which are swift to shed blood (v.15);
F.
Hands
---- which bring destruction and misery (v.16);
G.
Heart
---- which is ignorant of the way of peace (v.17);
H.
Eyes
---- before which there is no fear of God (v.18);
The Function of the Law
A.
Whatever
the law says
it says to those who are under the law (v.19).
B.
The
law can stop every mouth that all the world may become guilty before God
(v.19).
C.
By
the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified (v.20).
D.
By
the law is the knowledge of sin (v.20);
The Victory of God’s Judgment
A.
The
unbending mouth may be stopped ---- be convinced in one’s mouth (v.19).
B.
The
unyielding knees kneel down and cannot stand ---- be convinced in one’s body
(v.19).
C.
The
simple heart acknowledges the sin and no longer calls himself righteous ---- be
sincerely convinced in one’s heart (v.20).
The Outline of the Firm Truth of
Justification by Faith
A.
The
times of justification ---- now (v.21);
B.
The
way of justification ---- apart from the law (v.21);
C.
The
testimony of justification ---- being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets
(v.21);
D.
The
definition of justification ---- the righteousness of God is given to man
(v.22);
E.
The
condition of justification ---- through faith in Jesus Christ (v.22);
F.
The
sphere of justification ---- there is no difference among all those who believe
(v.22);
G.
The
demand for justification ---- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God (v.23);
H.
The
origin the justification ---- God’s grace (v.24);
I.
The
fulfillment of justification ---- through the redemption of Christ (v.24);
J.
The
cost of justification ---- man are justified freely by His blood (v.24);
K.
The
manifestation of justification ---- God’s righteousness (v.25-26);
L.
The
knowledge of justification ---- to demonstrate that God is just (v.26);
M.
The
result of justification ---- Man have nothing to boast of: to men themselves
they mouths are stopped; but to God
their mouths have to be opened to praise
God (v.27);
N.
The
truth of justification is right ---- which corresponds to the only God as well
as the fact that men are equal (v.28-30);
O.
The
truth of justification corresponds to the Old Testament ---- it does not make
void the law but establish the law(v.31);
The Definition of Justification by
Faith
A.
The
definition of justification by faith: “the righteousness of Godto all and on
all who believe” (v.22);
B.
The
condition of justification by faith: “through faith in Jesus Christ” (v.22);
C.
The
sphere of justification by faith: “there is no difference” (v.22);
D.
The
origin of justification by faith: “God’s grace” (v.24);
E.
The
fulfillment of justification by faith: “through the redemption of Christ”
(v.24);
F.
The
cost of justification by faith: “be justified freely” (v.24);
Three Elements of the Fulfillment of
God’s Salvation
A.
God’s
grace ---- Christ (v.24);
B.
Christ’s
redemption ---- the cross (v.24-25);
C.
Man’s
faith ---- spiritual sight and reception (v.25);
The Redemption of Jesus Christ
A.
A
contradictory situation where grace and righteousness exist simultaneously
(v.24).
B.
God
set forth Christ as a propitiation (v.25-26)
1.
God
showed His forbearance toward men “previously”
but “now” God had poured out
His entire wrath that was treasured previously.
2.
God’s
righteousness had been abundantly satisfied and manifested.
3.
Those
who believe can also be justified through Jesus Christ ---- those who believe
become the witness and sample of righteousness.
C.
Where
there is the propitiation and mercy-seat (v.25) ---- the propitiation can also
be translated as “mercy-seat”.
D.
The
way of receiving redemption (v.27-31).
The Foundations of Justification by
Faith
A.
The
first foundation: “God set forth Jesus as a propitiation” (v.25);
B.
The
second foundation: “in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were
previously committed” (v.25);
C.
The
third foundation: “to demonstrate that He is just” (v.26);
The Way of Justification by Faith
A.
It
is not by “the law of works”
but by “the law of faith” (v.27).
B.
A
man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law (v.28).
The Purpose of God’s Setting Forth the
Law of Faith in the Lord
A.
To
make men have nothing to boast of (v.27-28);
B.
To
make men believe God is the only true God (v.29-30);
C.
To
make men establish the law by faith (v.31);
The Equity of Justification by Faith
C.
It
corresponds to the fact and the principle that there is only one God (v.29-30).
D.
The
Jews are justified “out of faith”
and the Gentiles are justified “by faith”
(v.30).
E.
It
shall not only not make the law void but also establish the law (v.31).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou