Romans 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God

‘Justified freely’ this means declaring not guilty; acquittal in the court of heaven. Three things that save the soul: being washed [Greek: apolouo, from apo] away from, and louo, to wash the whole being, not a part of it. It is used in Acts 22:16 of complete washing from sins; not by baptism, but by calling upon the name of the Lord, as in Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-14. Here it is used of complete washing from the sins of 1Corinthians 6:9-10 by calling on the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:11). The Greek word louo without the preposition apo, is used of washing from all sins (Rev. 1:5); the whole feet (John 13:10); the whole body (Acts 9:37; Heb. 10:22); the whole sow (2Pet. 2:22); and all the stripes of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:33). Sanctified [Greek: hagiazo] to hallow, consecrate, separate from sin unto God (John 17:17). Note how this is put before justification (1Cor. 6:11). Justified [Greek: dikaioo] to declare righteous or not guilty; justify. It is translated “freed from sin” (Rom. 6:7); “justifier” (Rom. 3:26); “be righteous” (Rev. 22:11); and “justify” 33 times. One is justified the moment he repents and is forgiven (Luke 18:14; Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:24, 28, 30; 4:5; 5:1, 9; 1Cor. 6:11; Gal. 2:16-17; 3:8, 24; Tit. 3:5-7).

‘Grace’ the unmerited love and favour of God to man (Ps. 84:11).

‘Redemption’ [Greek: apolutrosis] to redeem by paying the price (Ex. 21:8; Gal. 3:13); a deliverance by paying a ransom (1Tim. 2:6); deliverance from the penalty of sin, including forgiveness of sin (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7, 14; 4:30; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15); and restoration of all creation from the curse (Rom. 8:23).

‘Set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood’ God has set forth, made, appointed, and published this sacrifice to be a propitiation, or covering for sin.

‘Propitiation’ this is the act of God whereby He becomes propitious or gracious to the sinner through Jesus Christ (Heb_9:5; 1Jn_2:2).

‘To declare his righteousness for the remission of sins’ Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20 and Revelation 1:5. God cannot declare any man righteous or remit one sin without faith in the atonement (Heb. 9:22; Eph. 1:7).

‘Sins that are past’ this refers to two things: Forgiveness of the sins of Old Testament saints (Rom. 3:25; Heb. 9:15). Forgiveness of past sins of each sinner that repents (Eph. 1:7; 1Jn. 1:9).

‘Forbearance of God’ [Greek: anoche] the self-restraint of God whereby He tolerates sinners and permits them to live to be saved (Rom. 2:4; 3:25; cp. Neh. 9:30).