Romans 3:26-28 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
‘At this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus’ God is now ready to declare His readiness to impart His righteousness by faith to penitents and can now be just in justifying them by His grace (3:24-26).
‘Righteousness’ [Greek: dikaiosune] found 92 times and always translated “righteousness.” The English word is found 305 times in Scripture. It always means the doing of what is right. Fourteen facts about righteousness: Revealed in the gospel (1:17); not commended by unrighteousness (3:5); manifested apart from the law (3:21); witnessed by the law and prophets; freely given to all alike (3:22-25); imputed by faith without works or law (3:22; 4:3, 5, 13, 22). It is God’s righteousness in remitting sins through Christ (3:25; 1Jn. 1:9). It is Christ’s righteousness because He did all that was required of God to redeem people (5:18; 2Cor. 1:1-24). The medium of grace reign (5:21); a requirement of saints (6:13-20); and it produces life (8:10). The law required it, but could not give it (8:4; 9:31-32; 10:4-6); produced by the Holy Spirit (14:17). Conditions of receiving it (3:22; 4:1-5:11; 6:13-19; 8:1-10; 10:9-10).
‘Where is boasting then? … By what law? of works?’ Here (3:27-28) we have the second dialogue between Paul and the Jew. Paul has been proving from Romans 3:9 that the Jews are as guilty and condemned as the Gentiles and that both must be saved by the redemption in Christ. The Jew, finding his boasted religion of Romans 2:17-29 of no merit at all to save his soul, interrupts (as Paul anticipates) and asks, “Where does our boasting come in with such a program of salvation without works and the law? Have we no merit of our own? Do we not have anything accruing to us from our 1,700 years of circumcision and the Mosaic covenant?” Paul answers, “It is completely out-your boasting.” The Jew responds, “By what law? of works?” Paul says, “By the law of faith-you have sinned and you need forgiveness. The law of works cannot pardon. It requires obedience and only kills if transgressed. Faith alone in Christ will pardon and cancel the death penalty” (3:27-28; Eph. 2:8-9).
‘Boasting’ ten things that people boast about: bargains (Pro. 20:14); security (Pro. 27:1); religion (Rom. 2:17-29); strength (1Sam. 17:8-10); conquest (Isa. 10:8-16); gifts (Pro. 25:14); riches (Ps. 49:6); sins (Ps. 94:4); plans (Jas. 4:13-17); and power (Luke 10:17). The only boasting allowed is “in the Lord” (2Cor. 10:12-18).
‘Conclude’ to arrive at a judgement or opinion by reasoning. ‘That a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law’ to be saved through faith in Christ’s atonement and not through the Law of Moses.
Living the Word 