Regarding Sinners

While men stand under the law, there are always differences among them.  There is the difference between the righteous and the sinners, between those who strive to fulfill the law and those who break the law.  As to the fulfillment or the violation of the law, there is an endless gradation of more or less.  But, all such differences pale before the new righteousness of God.  “There is no distinction.”  Without exception, all are sinners before God.  “All have sinned.”  That is the point of departure for the whole redemptive work of God.  No one has anything to offer which could elicit the love of God.  In that respect, all are alike.  Man’s own righteousness, though it be of great importance within human relations, does not serve, at all, to motivate God’s work of salvation.  That depends, wholly, on God Himself.  The only motive is in God Himself, in His gracious will.

From: Commentary on Romans by Anders Nygren; translated from the Swedish by Carl Rasmussen (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1949 [Swedish original: 1944]), pp. 152-153.  Comment on Romans 3:21-31.

Anders Nygren (1890-1978) was a Swedish Lutheran minister and theologian.  He was Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Lund (1924-1948) and Bishop of Lund (1948-1959).

 

The Righteousness of God

Ver. 21 – But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.

Now, – that is to say, under the preaching of the Gospel – in the period of the revelation of the Messiah; for it denotes the time present, in opposition to that time when God appeared not to take notice of the state of the Gentile nations, as it is said (Acts 17:30), “The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.”  And also in opposition to the legal economy respecting the Jews, as again it is said (John 1:17), “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”  This is what the Scriptures call “the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10; Galatians 4:4).  “The last days” (Isaiah 2:2; Hebrews 1:2; Acts 2:17; 1 John 2:18).  “The acceptable year of the Lord” (Isaiah 61:2).  “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).  The day of the Saviour that Abraham saw (John 8:56).

The righteousness of God – This is one of the most important expressions in the Scriptures.  It frequently occurs both in the Old Testament and the New; it stands connected with the argument of the whole of the first five chapters of this Epistle, and signifies that fulfillment of the law which God has provided, by the imputation of which sinners are saved.  Although perfectly clear in itself, its meaning has been involved in much obscurity by the learned labours of some who know not the truth, and by the perversions of others by whom it has been greatly corrupted.  By many it has been misunderstood and has, in general, been very slightly noticed even by those whose views on the subject are correct and scriptural.  To consider its real signification is the more necessary, as it does not appear always to receive that attention from Christians which its importance demands.  When the question is put, why is the Gospel the power of God unto salvation? how few give the clear and unfaltering answer of the Apostle, Because therein is THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD revealed.

From: Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans by Robert Haldane; reprint (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1958), pp. 125-126.  Reprinted from the 9th edition (1874).

Robert Haldane (1764-1842) was a Scottish evangelist, Bible commentator, and author.  His great commentary on Romans was originally published in three volumes (1835-1839).  He was also the author of Evidences and Authority of Divine Revelation and The Authenticity and Inspiration of the Scriptures.

 

The Most Important Paragraph Ever Written…

…according to the Australian New Testament scholar and author, Leon Morris (1914-2006):

But, now, the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.  For, there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith.  This was to show God’s righteousness because, in His divine forbearance, He had passed over former sins.  It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  (Romans 3:21-26)