From this point, we will review the text from the Greek word order. Verse 21, looks like this in the Greek text: Refer to Handout

Transcription

1 Romans 3:21-24 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; The next section, 3:21-4:25, is Paul s Systematic Theology on the method for a man to obtain the righteousness of God. The solution to the problem of all having sin is disclosed in this passage. As we proceed we will learn that this is the main difference between Biblical Christianity and all other religions. This is also necessary to understand how to witness. If one understands this information, then he should be able to explain the details within this passage. In order to understand this passage as it was intended, it is necessary to tackle every word, then we can dive into some broader theologies as we discover them. From this point, we will review the text from the Greek word order. Verse 21, looks like this in the Greek text: Refer to Handout The first two words, νυνί nuni δέ de (new-nee deh), are used in the New Testament 22 times; 19 times in the Pauline epistles and three times in Hebrews. This conjunction/adverb combination is used to draw a distinct change. This can be understood when one reviews some of the verses Paul uses to turn the tide of conversation (Romans 6:20-23; Colossians 1:21-22; Hebrews 8:4-6). When one sees a nuni de the question we must ask is what is the shift? The shift in Romans 3 is that there is none who is righteous, none who seek God, and law brings a knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God is distinguished not of works, but it has been manifested. Apart from is χωρίς chōris (khoh-rees ) and it serves to indicate separation of the genitive noun from the subject (Genitive of Separation, Ablative). In this sentence the next genitive noun is law and the subject is righteousness. To see the strength of this separation, we need to review this word in other uses (Romans 3:28; 4:6; 10:14; John 1:3; Hebrews 11:6). When this verse speaks of a righteousness apart from law, it must be understood that there is no connection in any way that would indicate that righteousness could be obtained from law. The next word introduces the first textual issue. All of our major English texts state the Law. This would indicate the Law of Moses, the Pentateuch, or The Old Testament Law. But there is no definite article in the Greek. As noticed in previous lessons, we must take notice of this and ask Why is there no the? Did Paul forget? Is there a nuance in the language that it is not necessary and it is assumed? The answer is that there is a difference between the Law and law. As stated, when the definite article

2 is present, the Law of Moses is understood as is stated in the second half of this verse. When the article is not there, it is indicative of human system. Why is this distinction important? Because Paul is not saying that works of the Law are not a means for righteousness, but rather there are no works of any system that will provide righteousness. The word law, νόμος nomos (nah-mahs), to the Greek would not mean automatically the Law of Moses. The history of this word is derived from a word meaning to divide or distinguish, to apportion. This developed into custom and eventually into habitual practices, statute, and ordinances. Every human religion has something in common they have rules. Society has rules; households have rules. The typical Greek would have understood the difference and identified Paul as generalizing the fact that righteousness cannot be achieved by rules. A translator may take a look at this word without the article and determine rules or statutes may be more appropriate, so as not to confuse with the Law. This is the main and most significant difference between any religion and the truth of God s Word. It has been said that the plan of God for salvation is not something man would have been able to come up with. And even if a man could make this up, no man alive would propagate this doctrine. Every religion emphasizes a strict code of conduct to gain acceptance from its deity. Members must follow law to gain righteousness, to be or be determined right, good, just. From the pagan to the mono-theistic to eastern religions, all of them dictate a list of laws that one must follow. Even in Christendom most emphasize a list of rules in order to obtain a good standing with God. Mormons, Jehovah s Witness, Orthodox, Modern Catholicism all have a strict guideline of rules in order to obtain salvation or keep it. Within the evangelical religions, most denominations and churches still propagate a rule(s) that one must keep in order to obtain or maintain life. 2 nd Corinthians 13:5 This is a common used passage that many pastors will use in order to teach that one must examine himself to ensure that he is saved. The implication is that we will always doubt and our assurance is based on this test. When you read the passage (in English), you will notice something missing. Paul leaves out the details of the test. Therefore, commentators supply you with the test. They will go through the Bible and find good traits of believers and negative traits of unbelievers and put this into a yes/no test format. Examples: Have you ever confessed your sin and accepted Jesus into your life (Distinct Testimony)? Is your life characterized by a life that is obedient to God s commands? Do you sincerely worship God or is it lip service? Do you have a biblical perspective on money? Do you love your fellow man?

3 Next is the phrase righteousness of God. Separately, it is simple. Righteousness is δικαιοσύνη dikaiosunē (dih-kai-ah-soon -ay) and is the typical word for just or righteousness. This is a legal declaration of being in the right. In our courtrooms, there is a charge made and the person can be found guilty, not guilty, or innocent. In God s evaluation, one is either guilty or right. From the previous section we know that all are guilty, there is none who is right. There is only One who is Right, the righteousness of God. What does the Bible say about our righteousness (Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 64:6)? How we evaluate our righteousness is a disgrace and is abhorrent in comparison to the righteousness of God. The righteousness of God is used four times outside Romans (2 nd Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; James 1:20; 2 nd Peter 1:1) and five times in Romans (1:17; 3:5,21,22; 10:3). Paul is very consistent when referring to man obtaining the righteousness of God. Righteousness originally obtained by faith is continually provided by God through faith. The next word is the first verb in this paragraph. φανερόω phaneroō (fah-neh-rah -oh) is the same word from Romans 1:19. This word means to make apparent; the root word is light, therefore to bring to light, to cause to be shown, or be shown. The grammatical form of this verb is 3 rd person, singular, perfect, middle, indicative. The perfect indicative indicates a factual even that happened in the past that has perpetual effect (abiding results). With the adverb nuni this can imply that it happened in the past, but it is also currently being perpetually manifested. A close synonym to this word is apokalupto which we have seen in 1:17. The righteousness of God in 1:17 was revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures and realized in the person of Jesus Christ, being perpetually disclosed by the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and the ekklesia. This bringing to light of the righteousness of God was first indicated by the Law and the Prophets. Being witnessed is μαρτυρέω martureō (mahr-too-reh -oh) and is a verb that indicates to testify, bear witness. Here, this is a participle nominative, singular, feminine, present, middle, participle. The participle works with the main verb (manifested) and also helps describe the noun indicated by the declension (righteousness). What is this manifestation? The realization of the New Testament is also witnessed in the Hebrew Scriptures and is currently perpetually made known. The righteousness of God realized is the embodiment of Jesus Christ in the flesh (John 1:1-5,9; 1 st John 1:5-7; 2:7-10). The next phrase is by the Law and the Prophets. This is an idiom for the entire body of work of the Hebrew Scriptures (Matthew 7:12; 11:12-13; 22:35-40). In this phrase, notice that there are definite

4 articles for both Law and Prophets. Once again, it draws distinction between the first law and The Law and Prophets. Paul is saying that the manifestation of the righteousness of God was testified by the Hebrew Scriptures. Have we seen this before? We have over 300 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled and there are several hundred more yet to be fulfilled. The promise from Genesis 3 and the seed promised to Abraham were all about the need of man and provision of God concerning the righteousness of God (Deuteronomy 9:5-6; Psalm 24:5; 51:14-17; Zechariah 8:7-8).

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