24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Justification = legal and formal acquittal from guilt
Freely = no prior conditions, a gift
Redemption = buying back, deliverance
Verse 23 shows that God is just, now we see how we can be justified. Christ Jesus paid our redemption.
The sense is that God delights (grace) in saving.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Have sinned — done, over with, case closed.
Glory of God = God’s moral glory, His perfect character. Also the person of Jesus Christ. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). We do not measure up to the sinlessness of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the standard was the Law. Now it is Jesus Christ.
Come — should be “fall.” The word is in the present continuous tense.
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference
We are justified, not just by faith in God, but by faith in Jesus Christ specifically.
God’s righteousness is provided to all but only applied to those who believe in Jesus Christ.
There is no difference in need between Jew and Gentle, for all have sinned. There is no difference between how God declares all men sinners and how He declares all righteous in Jesus Christ.
Faith of Jesus Christ = the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
But now — This is a favorite phrase of Paul’s when he has pointed out the gloom of man’s position but is about to show God’s remedy and a dispensational change.
Righteousness of God = Christ Himself
Without the Law — apart from the Law. At the cross with no regard to the Law.
revealed— the tense used refers to something that has happened in the past but still continues.
Law and prophets — The provisions of the Law (sacrifices) and the actions of the prophets bear witness to a righteousness apart from the Law. “Law and prophets” also refers to the entire Old Testament as in “The Old Testament points to the righteousness that is in Christ.”
17 And the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
No fear of God (v.18) — This is the last of the 14 charges. The quote is from Psalm 36:1 — The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10).
Colin Smith once said The reason men hate the Bible is because, if it’s true, it’s true about them. And it’s not very flattering.
Those under the Law (v.19) — Jews are included in the charges
Every mouth may be stopped (v.19) — there is no defense against the charges
Guilty before God (v.19) — the verdict. Everyone has come under judgment, been justly charged and worthy of blame.
Therefore (verse 20) — Based on Paul’s arguments since verse 18 of chapter 1, no law anywhere can justify any man. It can convict of sin and define sin, but it can’t save from sin.
Verse 20 is a quote from Psalm 143:2 — And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.
10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.”
13 “Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “the poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
These verses make a 14-point indictment.
Verse 10 is a quote from Psalm 14:1-3 — The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Verse 11 is a quote from Psalm 14:2 (see above).
No man naturally seeks God (v.11) .
Paul returns to this theme in Ephesians 4:18 — Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.
Verse 12 is a quote from Psalm 14:3 (see above).
Man has strayed from the path (v.12) .
unprofitable (v.12) = useless, rotten, corrupted
None who does good (v.12) — none that do anything of spiritual value
Verse 13 is a quote from Psalm 5:9 — For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
And from Psalm 140:3 — They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.
The mouth is the chief way a sinner displays his sin, and the stench is like an open grave.
Deceit (v.13) = making promises that are impossible to keep. The tense indicates a continuous action.
Verse 14 is a quote is from Psalm 10:7 — His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
Full (v.14) = heavy laden
Verses 15-16 are a quote is from Isaiah 59:7 — Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
Better — should read “worse.” Since Jews have privileges and still sin, are they worse? Do they deserve a greater condemnation?
charged = legal charge, as in a courtroom
All under sin — Everyone is under the power and penalty of sin in contrast to being under grace.
7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?
8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
Truth of God — the truthfulness of God.
The Jews, opposed to salvation by grace, were accusing Paul of teaching a lie — “Let us do evil …”
Justification by faith is not license to sin. Those who take that license deserve condemnation.
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)
6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
God’s holiness is displayed by the contrast of His righteousness with our unrighteousness.
I speak as a man. — Paul is saying that only foolish human wisdom would ask this question.
Judge — God is sovereign and just and must judge sin.
3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?
4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.”
Unbelief — head knowledge, following the form without inner heart commitment.
Without effect = deprived of its intended use
Certainly not! = expression of abhorrence
The quotation is from Psalm 51:4 — Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.
What Paul is saying in these verses is that the Jews received the Law but didn’t believe, but …
1) There’s still an advantage to being a Jew.
2) God’s promises to the Jews still stand.
3) Unbelieving Jews will still be punished.
