Romans 3:27-31

Text

Romans 3:27-31. Where then is the glorifying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith. Romans 3:28 We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Romans 3:29 Or is God the God of Jews only? is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yea, of Gentiles also: Romans 3:30 if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 3:27-31

126.

Who would be tempted to glory? Why?

127.

How does faith exclude pride?

128.

In what sense can we refer to faith, or the exercise of it, as a law of faith?

129.

If a man did not try to keep the lawwhatever it might becould he be justified by faith? If not, how could he be justified apart from the works of the law?

130.

Why ask the question of Romans 3:29 a?

131.

Every Jew would admit God was God to Gentiles as well as Jews. Why?

132.

Is there any difference in by faith and through faith of Romans 3:30?

133.

In what sense is the law established through faith?

Paraphrase

Romans 3:27-31, Since all are justified by the free gift of God, Where is boasting? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Do the laws which require perfect obedience exclude it? No. But it is excluded by the law which makes faith the means of our justification.

Romans 3:28 We conclude then, that by faith Jew and Gentile is justified without works of law; without perfect obedience to any law, as the meritorious cause of their justification.

Romans 3:29 To show that God will justify the Gentiles by faith, equally with the Jews, let me ask, Is he the maker and judge of the Jews only? and not of the Gentiles also? Most assuredly of the Gentiles also.

Romans 3:30 Seeing there is one God of Jews and Gentiles, and they are all equally related to him, he will in his treatment of them follow one ruleHe will justify the Jews to whom he has given his oracles, by their faith in these oracles, and the Gentiles through the law of faith mentioned in Romans 3:27.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make law of every kind useless, by teaching the justification of the Gentiles, through the law of faith? By no means, for by this doctrine we establish law, as necessary in many respects.

Summary

The justification of God is by belief, and not by deeds of law. It is a matter of favor, then, and not of merit. Consequently, no man can boast that he has deserved it or merited it. This justification is for Gentiles as well as for Jews. God is the God of both, and is ready to bless both, to bless them in the same way, and on the same conditions.

Comment

With this glorious picture before us where is the opportunity for pride and glory on the part of man? There is none; it is excluded. That it is excluded is evident, but how? What law did this? What works brought it about? Neither the law of the Jew nor of the Gentile has shut out this boasting, since through the law and obedience to it there would be reason to boast. The law that has thus effected such a state is the law of faith or the gospel. Only through the gospel is man's boasting excluded, all glory going to God. 27.

We concluded then that man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. If this is true then there must be some hope for the Gentiles. Then, rather ironically, Paul poses the question, Or is God just the God of the Jews and not the God of the Gentiles? Then he answers his own question by saying, Yes, he is the God of the Gentiles; what other God would they have? There are not two Gods, one for the Gentiles and one for the Jews. There is one God and all have sinned against him; thus all stand equal before him in need, Therefore, He will justify both the circumcised and the uncircumcised through faith. Romans 3:28-30

73.

How is man's pride excluded by the gospel?

Finally, since the gospel has been pointed out so clearly to be the only way of justification, what has happened to the law? Is it now of no use? No, God forbid. Shall we, simply because the law has been proven valueless in securing justification, believe that it does not serve some other good purpose? No, not at all, says Paul. I preach and teach the real value of the law which is to point out right and wrong; thus I establish the law's true purpose. Moses E. Lard has said, Law may be wholly useless for one purpose and yet indispensable for others. Romans 3:31.

Rethinking in Outline Form

III.

Proposition Expounded. Romans 3:21, Romans 5:21

1.

Justification by the Gospel Only. Romans 3:21-31

a.

A description of this justification. Romans 3:21

(1)

It is apart from the law.

(2)

It is of God.

(3)

It is manifested or now present.

(4)

It was spoken of in the law (by types) and in the prophets (by prophecies).

b.

It is obtainable by all who believe, and needed by all, for all have sinned. Romans 3:22-23

c.

It is made possible by the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ. Romans 3:24-25 a

d.

This sacrifice explains why God was so lenient with the sins done aforetime. Romans 3:25 b

e.

In the death of Christ we can see the basis for both justice and forgiveness. Romans 3:26

f.

The following conclusions may be drawn from the fact that justification is found only in the gospel. Romans 3:27-31

(1)

Boasting is excluded. Romans 3:27

(2)

This justification is entirely apart from the works of the law. Romans 3:28

(3)

The Jew and the Gentile are on the same footing, for there is but one God, and faith is the only means of acceptance with him. Romans 3:29-30 (Sandy, p. 94)

(4)

To the objection that the law is made of no effect, we can say that the very purpose, or work of the law, is established by the preaching of the gospel. Romans 3:31