Romans: Faith Alone in Christ Alone

Romans 3:27-31

On Paul’s first missionary journey, he established churches in the Galatia region, which is now the central part of Turkey. He clearly preached the good news of Jesus and emphasized that faith in Jesus alone is the way for us to have a relationship with the living God. 

But the Jews did not accept that message. Jewish legalists, known as Judaizers, immediately opposed Paul because he said trusting in Jesus was the only way. They emphasized to the new Galatian Christians that following Jewish laws and customs was necessary to be a true believer. The Judaizers claimed that Paul was “against the law” or “antinomian” (anti-against and nomos—law) and accused him of completely ignoring the Old Testament law. 

When Paul heard what the Judaizers were teaching, he wrote a letter to the “churches in Galatia.” He told them,  

Galatians 1:6-7
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Around AD 49, church leaders gathered in Jerusalem to address the issue raised by the Judaizers. Those who participated in what became known as the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) concluded that becoming a Christian was only possible through faith in Jesus, not by observing the Jewish law. This message was shared with the churches, but the controversy continued as the churches grew and expanded. 

As we learn from Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome, written about ten years after the Jerusalem Council, there was still confusion about the Old Testament law, salvation by works, and the gift of grace. 

The main question was this: Is salvation based solely on faith in Jesus or on faith in Jesus plus following the Jewish law? 

In our passage today, Paul tackles the issue by using an effective teaching technique that involves asking questions. We will look at the questions Paul asks and examine his responses. 

Then what becomes of our boasting? (Rom. 3:27)
Paul had already pointed out that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) and that all Christians “are justified by [God’s] 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” (Rom. 3:24-25). In summary, Paul is stating: Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 

Many Jews still felt they had an exclusive connection to God. As God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, they believed they were accepted by God because of their nationality and by following Jewish laws and customs. 

So, what becomes of the Jew’s reason for boasting? Paul said, “It is excluded.” The Greek term translated “excluded” means to be “shut out.” Being Jewish is no longer in the salvation equation. 

For all of us, whether Jew or Gentile, salvation is a “gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). The reality that God has called us to himself should deeply humble us and make us a grateful people. God’s action in saving us and keeping us saved is entirely based on his grace.

This first question prompted two more questions. 

By what kind of law? By a law of works? (Rom. 3:27-28)
The questions Paul addresses here follow this reasoning: On what type of law, or better, on what principle, is Paul basing the statement that being a Jew has no advantage for knowing God? Is that principle based on “a law of works?” 

Paul uses these questions to reaffirm the gift of salvation. He clearly states that knowing God isn't based on works, “but by the law of faith.” Then he explains, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Rom. 3:28). We are justified, or declared “not guilty,” and therefore “made right with God," based solely on faith. Faith means we are fully convinced that God can and will do what he promises (Rom. 4:21). Our faith isn't based on our works; it is “apart from works of the law.”

The following two questions scrutinize, from a slightly different perspective, the Jews’ belief that their relationship with God was unique. 

Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? (Rom. 3:29-30)
The Jews believed that since they worshiped Yahweh, the true and living God (Jer. 10:10), and the Gentiles worshiped false gods, Yahweh was the God of only the Jews. However, Paul clears up that misconception. 

Paul explains that God is the God of all people. All people are made in his image, and he wants everyone to know him. This is illustrated in the book of Jonah, when God sent the prophet to the pagan people of Nineveh to offer forgiveness and restoration. 

Paul continues to argue that God is the God of both Gentiles and Jews, because “since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith” (Rom. 3:30).  

When Paul writes, “God is one,” he is most likely referencing Deuteronomy 6:4, known as the Shema by the Jews—"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This one God is over all people, both Jews and Gentiles. God will declare both the “circumcised” (Jew) and the “uncircumcised” (Gentile) “not guilty” based on faith in Jesus, the One who paid the penalty for their sin. 

Paul has one more question to address in this passage. 

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? (Rom. 3:31)
Paul answers this question with the strongest Greek negative, me genoito, “By no means.” Paul continues, “On the contrary, we uphold the law” (Rom. 3:31). The law is fulfilled and confirmed when it serves as the guide to lead us to faith in Jesus (Gal. 3:23-25). 

Salvation is never earned by our deeds, good works, or law-keeping. From the Old Testament to the New, salvation has always come by grace through faith in Jesus—the promised Messiah in the Old Testament, and the One who came in the New Testament.  

From the Old Testament to the New Testament:

• Grace is always the basis of salvation.
• Faith is always the means of salvation.
• Jesus is always the object of salvation. 

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 3:27-31. Consider God's amazing grace through faith in Jesus.

Talking to God: Do you sometimes depend on your performance or background to feel “right” with God? Are you boasting in anything besides Christ?

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