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"The righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed"

Text: Romans 3:21

ESTABLISHING THE TRUTH ABOUT SIN

Paul took great pains to establish an important truth about sin. Let us do a quick summary of what he had written earlier:

1. Gentiles have sinned against God (Romans 1)

a) God has revealed Himself to man (Gentiles included)

i) In the heart

ii) In nature

b) Man (Gentiles) had rejected God and His truth

i) He has spurned the truth of God.

ii) He has created his own version of truth.

iii) He worships what he has created with his hands.

c) Man degenerates further

i) He pursues perversity.

ii) God gives man up to pursue whatever is his fancy.

2. Jews have also sinned against God.

a) They may have the law but they break the law rather than keep it.

b) They may have rich religious traditions, but they avail not at all if the heart is not cleansed.

c) The Scriptures confirm that Jews are as much sinners as Gentiles are.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD APART FROM THE LAW IS REVEALED

How does man then obtain justification and salvation from God? Paul offers the following thought.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from
the law is revealed, being witnessed by the
Law and the Prophets.”
Romans 3:21

1. The idea of revelation

Paul strongly suggests that this great truth can only come about because God graciously revealed it to man! This teaching about God’s revelation is a very strong Pauline idea. There is a righteousness of God apart from the law!

2. Witnessed by the Law and the Prophets

Paul now uses the technical term, “The Law and the Prophets” to good effect. He argues that the formal Scriptures back up what he has just articulated!