Romans 3: We are Justified Freely by His Grace

Romans 3: We are Justified Freely by His Grace

Collin Leong.  June 29, 2025

(v1-8) God's Faithfulness

(v1-4) Paul said that being a Jew is advantageous and there is value is circumcision. Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. Those who are unfaithful will not nullify God's faithfulness. God will always be true, it is we that are liars. It's written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”  

Paul's quote is taken from Psalm 51:4 - "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge."  In Psalm 51, David acknowledges that his sin (after the Bathsheba incident) proves God right in judging him. David doesn’t blame God—he affirms that God’s judgment is just, even when it condemns him. In other words, Paul is saying that God's truth and faithfulness will not be compromised by human failure. David's unfaithfulness proves that God remains faithful to His own word. 

(v5-8) Paul said that our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly. Some people say that if this is so, then is it unfair to punish them and condemned them as a sinner, when their falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and increases His glory (v5 + v7).   Paul say this is a false human logic.  If God cannot judge people who sin because their sin highlights His goodness, then how can He judge anyone in the world? There are people who slander Christians claiming that we say "let's us do more evil that good may result."  That’s a slanderous lie—and anyone who thinks that way is rightly condemned.”

(The above paragraph have been simplified, so that the meaning is clear.)

(9-20) No One is Righteous

Paul say that Jews has no advantage, since Jews and Gentiles are alike under the power of sin. He quoted several Old Testament verses to support this teaching: 

a) No one is righteous, no one who understand, no one who seeks God. All have turned away and become worthless; no one who does good. (Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20)

b) Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit; their lips has poison of vipers. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. (Psalm 5:9; Psalm 140:3; Psalm 10:7 (see Septuagint))

c) Their feet swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways. They don't know the way of peace; Their eyes have no fear of God. (Isaiah 59:7,8;  Psalm 36:1)

The law says to those under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and whole world held accountable to God. Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law. Instead, the law makes us conscious of our sin. 

In v1-2, Paul said Jews has an advantage as the word of God is entrusted to them. However, in v9, he said Jews has no advantage in the matter of sin. Just because they have the advantage being the chosen people, but it doesn't make them more superior than Gentiles from the angle of sin. 

Paul said that the law (the Torah) speaks to the Jews, and they know they cannot argue or defend themselves against God and say they are righteous. However, the law's moral truth reveal the guilt of all humanity (the whole world), and everyone is accountable to God for their sins. He told them that the purpose of the law is not to save, but to expose sin in ourselves. This shuts down any self-justification. 

(v21-31) Righteousness Through Faith

(v21-26)  Paul said that apart from the law, where the righteousness of God have been made known, there is a righteousness given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God made Christ a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood, to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. He did it to demonstrate his righteousness at present time, so as to be just and the one who justify those who have faith in Jesus. 

Throughout the Old Testament, God showed patience by not fully punishing sin immediately. The cross retroactively vindicates God’s justice: it shows that He was not unjust in “passing over” those sins, because He always intended to deal with them through Christ. In fact, all the faithful people and prophets in the old testament couldn't go to heaven when they die, but stayed in Hades as a holding place. However, they went to heaven after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Luke 16:19-31; Eph 4:8-10)

Paul is saying that there is a major transition from the condemnation under the law to the revelation of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Both the Jews and Christians fall short of the standard of holiness that God has set. That's why God has to sacrifice Jesus as the atonement for our sins, so that we can be redeemed by God. 

Atonement is the act of making amends for a wrong doing or sin. The only way for God to do this is through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, His own son. It is also called Substitution, where Christ bears the penalty we deserve. Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins, turning away God’s righteous wrath through His blood.

Redemption is the act of regaining possession in exchange for payment, which is by the death and blood of Christ. Because of what Jesus has done, we now belong to God, when we accept Christ by faith. (1 Corinthians 6:20). It draws from the Exodus story, where God redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt.

(v27-31) We have nothing to boast - for it is not by our works, but through faith. A person is justified by faith, apart from the works of the law. God is the God of Jews and of the Gentiles - He will justify the circumcised and uncircumcised through the same faith.  We do not nullify the law through this faith, but we uphold the law. 

Some people boast of their good works, such as generosity, kindness, serving in church, etc., and believe it helps them to get into heaven. But Paul said there's nothing we can do to get us into heaven, except bring justified by our faith in Jesus. 

Justification means the act of God by which He declares a sinner to be righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. It’s a courtroom term. God, as judge, declares the believer “not guilty” and fully righteous. It’s not earned by works but given freely (Romans 3:24). Though it is free for us, it is costly to God - the death of His own son. 

Paul anticipated the question whether the law is no longer useful, since salvation comes by faith and not by works or rituals. He said no, but faith upholds the law - for the law reveals the sin, but faith forgives the sin. Jesus Himself said that He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. (Matt 5:17)

Key Messages

Romans 3 is the theological pivot of Paul’s argument, where he moves from universal guilt to the unveiling of God’s righteousness through faith. It declares that all are guilty, but all are invited to be justified freely through Christ.

1. God’s Faithfulness Remains Despite Human Unfaithfulness (vv.1–8)

• Jews had the advantage of receiving God’s oracles, but their unfaithfulness doesn’t nullify God’s faithfulness.

• God remains true, even if every human is a liar.

• God’s justice is not compromised by His mercy, nor is sin excused by grace.

Application: Trust in God’s unwavering faithfulness. Don’t use grace as an excuse for sin—let it lead you to deeper reverence and obedience.

2. All Are Under Sin—No One Is Righteous (vv.9–20)

• Both Jews and Gentiles are under sin; no one is righteous, understands, or seeks God.

• Paul strings together multiple Old Testament quotes to show universal depravity.

• The Law reveals sin but cannot justify—it silences every mouth before God.

Application: Acknowledge your need for grace. Let the Law humble you, not puff you up. Depend on God’s mercy, not your morality.

3. Righteousness Through Faith in Jesus Christ (vv.21–26)

• Now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God is revealed.

• All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.

• Justification comes freely by grace through the redemption in Christ.

• God presented Jesus as a propitiation through His blood, demonstrating His justice and mercy.

Application: Receive righteousness by faith, not performance. Rest in Christ’s finished work—He satisfied justice so you could receive mercy.

4. Boasting Is Excluded—Faith Levels the Ground (vv.27–31)

• Boasting is excluded because justification is by faith, not works.

• God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles.

• Faith upholds the Law by fulfilling its purpose—not abolishing it.

Application: Walk in humility. Let faith unite, not divide. Honor the Law’s intent by living in Spirit-led obedience, not legalistic pride.