Studies in Romans (3:21-22)
Studies in Romans
Romans 3:21-22
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
The death and resurrection of Jesus is the seminal event and crux of history. After this point in history, everything about relating to God changed. I am speaking from a temporal perspective, of course. In the spiritual realm, outside time, the plan of God existed in fullness. We can see this in Genesis where we read that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. (see Genesis 15:5-6)
For His part, God has always related to humanity in the same way. In the beginning, He created Adam and Eve and related with them intimately. Had they continued to live restfully trusting Him as their all-sufficient source there would never have been a need for the covenants at all. It was trust, living by faith, that made them right with God. It was still true in Abraham’s day. It is true under the New Covenant today.
Paul understood this (and was inspired to write) and that is the reason he said that the righteousness apart from the Law has now been revealed. It was there all along, but it was hidden from plain view. It was spoken of in scripture. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see that it was there in the Law and the prophets, just as Paul says. Jesus pointed this out in saying that He had not come to abolish the Law or the prophets, but rather to fulfill them. (see Matthew 5:17)
Now moving on to Romans 3:22 (NASB 2020)
22 but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction,
This righteousness of God apart from the Law is the righteousness of God appropriated through faith in Jesus Christ. Knowing this helps us understand 2 Corinthians 5:21. You may know this verse. It reads, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB 2020) It is easy to gloss over what is actually being said here. The One who knew no sin is Jesus Christ. This verse says that Jesus became sin on our behalf and the reason He did it was so that we would be able to become the righteousness of God. This righteousness of God is necessary for us to be in Christ. It is the only way we can “be perfect as [our] Father in heaven is perfect. (see Matthew 5:48)
Then, lest there be any confusion, the verse goes on to say that this acquisition of righteousness by faith apart from the law is for all those who believe. This is not for Jews only. This is not for Gentiles only. It is for all who will respond in faith, believing God. There is no distinction. Scripture is specific about this in saying, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility.” Ephesians 2:14–16 (NASB 2020)
The Law of Moses separated the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews felt special and privileged because they had the Law and were God’s chosen people. They saw everyone else, those they called “the nations,” as heathen and unclean. In fulfilling the Law, Jesus abolished it as a means to righteousness. In truth, because no one could actually keep the Law, it never had been. Still, the Jews thought it was. Jesus talked about this in John 5:39–40 (NASB 2020) “You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.
