UNROLL
Several arrows lying in the grass short of a straw archery target in a field at dusk.

The Book of

Romans 3

Paul has charged the whole world. Now he shows the one way anyone is made right with God.

31 verses≈ 4 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–3:20The problemEveryone needs the gospelChapter 3
  2. 3:21–5The answerRight with God by faith
  3. 6–8New lifeFree in Christ, led by the Spirit
  4. 9–11God and IsraelHis promises stand
  5. 12–16Living itLove in a church of Jews and Gentiles

God Remains Faithful

Someone might ask

What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?

Paul

Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Someone might ask

What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?

Paul

Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written:

“So that You may be proved right when You speak

and victorious when You judge.”

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Let God be true and every man a liar.

Romans 3:4

Someone might ask

But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us?

Paul

I am speaking in human terms. Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?

Someone might ask

However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”?

Paul

Their condemnation is deserved!

There Is No One Righteous

What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.

There is no one righteous, not even one.

Romans 3:10

There is no one who understands,

no one who seeks God.

All have turned away,

they have together become worthless;

there is no one who does good,

not even one.”

“Their throats are open graves;

their tongues practice deceit.”

“The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

“Their mouths are full

of cursing and bitterness.”

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

ruin and misery lie in their wake,

and the way of peace they have not known.”

“There is no fear of God

before their eyes.”

The charge sheet

Jews and Greeksalike“all under sin” (3:9)No onerighteous“not even one” (3:10)Throat,tongue, lipswhat we say(3:13–14)Feet“swift to shedblood” (3:15)Eyes“no fear of God”(3:18)Every mouthsilenced“accountable to God”(3:19)

Whiteboard

Paul builds his case like a prosecutor. First the charge: Jews and Greeks alike are “all under sin.” Then the evidence, read from the Psalms and Isaiah, part by part: words, steps, eyes. At the end the court falls quiet, “so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.”

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Reflect

Nothing left to say

Paul’s case ends with “every mouth” silenced before God. It isn’t comfortable, but it is honest. Is there a way you still try to prove yourself to God? What would it look like to stop arguing your case, and simply let Him speak?

Righteousness through Faith in Christ

First light breaking over a rocky hill just outside the walls of ancient Jerusalem.

But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

0:18

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Paul

Romans Road · 1 of 5

all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23–24

Question

Quick question

Paul has shown that everyone falls short. Then he says how anyone can be made right with God.

According to 3:24, how are we justified?

Someone might ask

Where, then, is boasting?

Paul

It is excluded.

Someone might ask

On what principle? On that of works?

Paul

No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

Someone might ask

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith?

Paul

Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.

Pray

Nothing but Christ

Pray with open hands. Thank God that, though “all have sinned,” He justifies “the one who has faith in Jesus.” Tell Him you trust Christ alone for your standing with Him, and ask Him to keep you from boasting in anything else.

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A verse to carry with you

There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:22–24

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