Meaning of Romans 3:28

This verse, Romans 3:28, is a cornerstone of Christian theology, articulating Paul's central argument that salvation, or justification, is received solely through faith in Jesus Christ, independent of any adherence to the Mosaic Law. Paul establishes this principle after a lengthy discourse demonstrating that all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, is under the power of sin and falls short of God's glory (Romans 3:9-20). He then presents God's solution: a righteousness revealed through Jesus, which is received by faith. This justification is not earned by performing rituals or obeying legalistic commands but is a gift from God, apprehended by a trusting heart. The phrase "apart from the works of the law" emphasizes that the law, while holy and good, cannot bestow righteousness; rather, it reveals sin and our inability to meet God's perfect standard.

Context and Background

Paul's letter to the Romans was written to a church composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers. A significant tension existed between these groups regarding the role of the Law of Moses in the Christian life. Some Jewish Christians believed that Gentiles must also adhere to the Law to be truly saved and accepted by God. Paul, however, argues for the universality of salvation through faith, aiming to unify the church by demonstrating that both groups are equally reliant on God's grace through Christ. He has spent the preceding chapters dismantling the idea that obedience to the Law could merit salvation, showing instead that the Law amplifies our awareness of sin.

Key Themes and Messages

• Justification by Faith: The central message is that a person is declared righteous in God's sight not by their deeds but by their trust in Jesus Christ. This is a forensic declaration by God, imputing Christ's righteousness to the believer.
• Inadequacy of the Law: The Law of Moses, while divinely given, cannot save. Its purpose is to reveal sin and humanity's fallen state, thereby driving individuals to seek God's provision for righteousness.
• Universality of Salvation: This principle applies to all people, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Salvation is not contingent on adherence to specific legal codes but on faith in Christ.
• Grace as the Basis: Justification is a gift of God's grace, received through faith, not a reward for human effort.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse is profoundly significant for believers as it liberates them from the burden of trying to earn God's favor through their own efforts. It shifts the focus from self-righteousness to Christ-centered righteousness. For the individual, it means peace with God through faith, assurance of salvation, and freedom to live a life of gratitude and love, motivated by God's grace rather than legalistic obligation. It encourages humility, acknowledging our complete dependence on God's mercy.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Romans 3:28 is the culmination of a long biblical trajectory. From the promise of a Redeemer in Genesis (Genesis 3:15) to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, which pointed to a final, perfect sacrifice, the narrative consistently points towards God's provision for sin. The Old Testament Law, while failing to provide salvation, served as a tutor leading to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan, providing the basis for justification by faith. This verse articulates how humanity accesses that provision.

Analogies

• A Medical Prescription: Imagine a doctor diagnosing a serious illness. The prescription (the Law) reveals the severity of the disease and the patient's inability to cure themselves. The cure itself is a medicine (Christ's atonement) that the patient receives by simply taking it as prescribed (faith). The patient doesn't earn the cure by trying to perform medical procedures themselves.
• A Bridge: The Law is like a signpost that points out a dangerous chasm. It doesn't provide a way across. Faith is like stepping onto the bridge that God has built (Christ's sacrifice) to reach the other side (justification and eternal life).
• A Gift: Justification is like a valuable gift. You don't earn a gift by doing chores; you receive it by accepting it. The Law shows that we are bankrupt and cannot afford to buy anything from God, but faith is the act of receiving His generous gift.

Relation to Other Verses

• Galatians 2:16: "yet we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we too have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." This verse echoes Romans 3:28, reinforcing the exclusivity of faith as the means of justification.
• Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage further clarifies that salvation, including justification, is a gift of grace received by faith, explicitly excluding boasting in works.
• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This foundational verse highlights the object of faith (Jesus) and the outcome of belief (eternal life), aligning with the concept of justification by faith.
• Abraham's Faith (Genesis 15:6): "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Paul frequently uses Abraham as an example of justification by faith before the Law was given, demonstrating that this principle predates and supersedes the Mosaic Law.