DOCTRINAL 2:12 - 5-11
- 1:16-5:11 Sins, Old Nature, Results
- 5:12-8:39 Sins, Old Nature, Itself
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS GROUP OF VERSES/CHAPTER
1) To understand the particulars of God's righteousness: grace,
redemption, propitiation, faith in Jesus, and justification
2) To see the difference between a law of works and the law of faith
SUMMARY
As Paul continues to show the Jews' need of salvation, he proceeds to answer questions that he takes into account the possibility of protesting Jews and what they might ask. He explains the advantage of being a Jew, the faithfulness of God in spite of the Jews' unbelief, and the right of God to condemn the unrighteousness of man even though it magnifies His Own righteousness (1-8). Though the Jews had the advantage of possessing the very oracles of God, Paul still concludes that the Jews as well as the Gentiles are in sin and proves his conclusion by listing a series of Old Testament scriptures that speaks to those under the Law (the Jews) as sinners (9-19). His conclusion: a law (like the Law of Moses) could not save, but only reveal the knowledge of sin; a point he will elaborate upon in
chapter seven (20).
Paul now carefully begins to explain the "good news" of God's plan of salvation. Apart from law, yet witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, God's way of making man right through faith in Jesus Christ is now made clear, and made available to all who believe, whether Jew or Greek, for
all have sinned (21-23).
This justification of man is explained in terms of redemption, made possible through the blood of Christ, and offered to those who have faith in Christ. It also demonstrates how God can be both "just" (who takes seriously the sins of mankind) and "a justifier" (who is able to forgive sinners). God is able to do this by offering Christ's blood as a propitiation to those who have faith (24-26).
This "justification" is a gift of God's grace to those who have faith, which prevents anyone from boasting as though they through the works of a law deserved it (27-30). This does not void the need for law, but rather meets the requirement of law (31).
OUTLINE
3:1-26 The case of the Jew
I. THE JEWS' NEED OF SALVATION (1-20)
A. THE JEWISH ADVANTAGE (1-2)
1. In many respects (1)
2. Especially in having the "Oracles of God" (2)
B. ANSWERS TO POSSIBLE OBJECTIONS (3-8)
1. Unbelieving Jews will not make the faithfulness of God without
effect (3-4)
2. God is right to be angry, even if "unrighteousness"
demonstrates His Own righteousness (5-6)
3. Though sin might increase God's truth and give Him glory,
people will still be judged for their sins (7-8)
C. THE JEWS INDICTED AS SINNERS BY THEIR OWN SCRIPTURES (9-20)
1. Despite advantages, Jews like Greeks are under sin (9)
2. Biblical proof (10-18)
3. Application and conclusion (19-20)
a. The Law condemns all, especially to whom it was given (19)
b. Law cannot justify, but only reveal the knowledge of sin
(20)
II. THE PROVISION: JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH (21-31)
A. GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED (21-23)
1. Apart from law, but witnessed by the Law (21)
2. A righteousness through faith in Jesus (22a)
3. For all who believe, for all have sinned (22b-23)
B. GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPLAINED (24-26)
1. Justification by grace through redemption in Christ (24)
2. Jesus' blood offered by God as a propitiation through faith
(25a)
3. This demonstrates God's righteousness toward the one who has
faith in Jesus (25b-26)
3:1-26 General Conclusion
C. IMPLICATIONS OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS (27-31)
1. Boasting on man's part is excluded (27a)
2. For justification is based on faith, not deeds of law (27b-28)
3. God is God of Jews and Gentiles, for He justifies both by
faith (29-30)
4. This does not void the need for law, but rather meets the
requirements of law (31)
