Justified by Faith

International Sunday School May 5, 2024 Spring #10

Background

Paul gives a very logical explanation of being saved by grace and the importance of faith.

Righteousness Manifested

Romans 3:21 ESV
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

• Romans 1:17 (ESV) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
• Galatians 3:8 (ESV) And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

A Gift

Romans 3:22-24 ESV
the righteousness of God through faith in 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) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

• Romans 10:12-13 (ESV) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Propitiation by His Blood

Romans 3:25-26 ESV
whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (26) It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

• Fausset Dictionary: Propitiation – hilastrion, “the propitiatory” or mercy seat, the bloodsprinkled lid of the ark, the meeting place between God and His people represented by the priest (1Jn 2:2; 1Jn 4:10).

No Boasting, Justified by Faith

Romans 3:27-28 ESV
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. (28) For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

• Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God of Both the Jews and Gentiles

Romans 3:29-30 ESV
Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, (30) since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

• Colossians 3:11 (ESV) Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Concluding Thoughts

• No boasting.
• Saved by grace through faith.