Heavy Thoughts Series

Romans 3: 21 – 31

Heavy Thoughts

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

How can thoughts be heavy? Thoughts have no weight, right? Well, if you have been concentrating on what we just read, then I think that you would agree with me as to what Paul just wrote is very heavy. I mean look at what was just said and then you tell me that it is not ‘heavy’

1. Now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.

2. Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe

3. For there is no difference.

4. Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith,

5. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith

6. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

7. Who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith

8. Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Now I am sure that this is all clear to you. For me, though, Paul’s thoughts are ‘heavy’. I am a mental midget. So, if you will be patient with me, let us take our time to make sure we understand exactly what Paul just said.

Paul has spent a considerable time from chapter 1 verse 18 onwards, in demonstrating that all are under sin (weighed down under it and condemned by it). He has demonstrated that all as they are in they come under the condemnation of God. None can claim to be in the right on the basis of their own lives. Now Paul seeks to demonstrate the difference that has been made by the coming of Christ, for in Christ God has provided a righteousness which is sufficient to ‘put in the right with God’ all who truly believe in Him.

In chapter 1 verse 17 Paul had told us about it, but in order for us to appreciate it fully it was necessary for us to recognize man’s condition. Now that he has achieved that he will expand on verse 17, ‘therein is the righteousness of God (which makes men accounted as righteous) revealed from faith unto faith’.

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

This righteousness of God that God has provided is apart from the Law. It is not obtained as a result of observing the Law. It has no connection with the Law. It is supplied by God, Who comes to us with a righteousness which will make us fully acceptable to Him. It is that righteousness, which completely fulfils all God’s holy demands, the demands which God gives to us.

It has been made clear [ Being witnessed] by both the Law and the prophets (the Old Testament Scriptures).

22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

We get this righteousness of God through faith in His Holy Son, The Lord Jesus Christ - to all who believe. The reason for adding ‘to all who believe’ is in order to include the Gentiles. ‘Faith in Jesus the Messiah’ may well otherwise have been seen as exclusive to the Jews. But here it is made clear that it is for all. And this is so, whether they be Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For all have the same need, and there is no distinction between any human being.