Bible Study - Romans 3
S — For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:22–24 ESV
O — Commentary:
There is no difference (cf. 10:12), introduced in the Greek by the word "for" to tie it to what precedes. Any prior privilege the Jews had is gone in this Age when God is offering a righteous standing before Him to all sinful people on the basis of faith in Christ alone. Since all are "under sin" (3:9), salvation is available "to all" on an equal basis.
3:23. Paul explained that "no difference" existed among human beings because all have sinned. The Greek is literally, "all sinned" (pantes hēmarton). The same two Greek words are used in 5:12 (cf. comments on that verse). Since the entire human race was plunged into sin with Adam, all (whether Jews or Gentiles) are sinners. It is impossible to say there is a "difference," that the Jews' privileges (2:12–21; 3:1) exclude them from God's condemnation.
Not only did all sin, but also all fall short. This single Greek verb is in the present tense, stressing continuing action. It can be translated "keep on falling short." The simple fact is that as a sinner not a single human being by his own efforts is able to measure up to the glory of God. God's glory is His splendor, the outward manifestation of His attributes. God desires that humans share that splendor, that they become like Him, that is, Christlike (cf. "glory" in 5:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 1:27; 2 Thes. 2:14). Yet their sin keeps them from sharing it.
3:24. In view of man's sin God has stepped in with His provided righteousness, because all who believe are justified (the pres. tense may be trans. "keep on being declared righteous," i.e., each person as he believes is justified). "Justify" (dikaioō) is a legal term, meaning "declare righteous" (not "make righteous"; cf. Deut. 25:1). See comments on Romans 1:17 on Paul's frequent use of this verb and its related noun "righteousness."
God's justification of those who believe is provided freely (dōrean, "as a free gift," i.e., without charge) by His grace. God justifies by the instrument of His grace, His unmerited favor. Grace too is a favorite word of Paul's, used by him in Romans 24 times (in the Gr.). But God would not declare a person righteous without an objective basis, without dealing with his sin. That basis is the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. The Greek word for "redemption" is apolytrōsis, from lytron, "a ransom payment." Apolytrōsis is used 10 times in the New Testament (Luke 21:28; Rom. 3:24; 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:7, 14; 4:30; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15). (See the chart, "New Testament Words for Redemption" at Mark 10:45.)
The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary was the price of payment for human sin which secured release from the bondage of Satan and sin for every person who trusts God's promise of forgiveness and salvation.
John A. Witmer, "Romans," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 450–451.
A — Notice the tense. Not "fell." Falling. Not "were justified." Are justified. This isn't ancient history — it's happening right now, in real time, in you and me. We're still falling short today. And by grace, we're still being made right with God today. Same problem, same solution, still active.
Here's the catch: everyone has the problem. Not everyone knows the solution. Not everyone wants it. That gap is where we live. Love doesn't let us stay quiet about it.
R — Father, You are God. Savior. Lord. Give us boldness today to open our mouths and share the gospel with everyone You put in front of us. We want to see people come to know You — really know You, in relationship. We want them to walk free of their sin and know You personally, today, not someday.
