Righteousness of God

Transcription

1 Righteousness of God November 20, 2013 Alpharetta Study Speaker: Allen Dvorak

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3 Paul s Argument Romans 1:16 17 (NKJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

4 Paul s Argument

5 Paul s Argument Justification Chapters 1-3

6 Paul s Argument Chapters 1-3 Justification The Gentile failure

7 Paul s Argument Chapters 1-3 Justification The Gentile failure The Jewish failure

8 Paul s Argument Chapters 1-3 Justification The Gentile failure The Jewish failure God s plan Of course, as the literature shows abundantly, summaries of the doctrine of justification down the years have regularly answered the question with yes. God will revoke his plan! Torah will be set aside as a failed first attempt to rescue humans! The through Israel part of the plan can now safely be ignored, and we are back with the simple narrative of humans sin; God sends Jesus; all is well, or perhaps God is righteous; humans sin; God justifies them Page Wright

9 Paul s Argument Chapters 1-3

10 Paul s Argument Chapters 1-3 Romans 3:20 26 (NKJV) 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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12 The Righteousness of God Apart from the Law AND Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast (Part 1 of 2,173)

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14 Study Objectives

15 Study Objectives Identify what NPP understands the righteousness of God and works of the law to mean (primarily from N.T. Wright and James Dunn).

16 Study Objectives Identify what NPP understands the righteousness of God and works of the law to mean (primarily from N.T. Wright and James Dunn). Discuss the meaning of these phrases from a lexicographal and contextual standpoint.

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18 The Righteousness of God Grammatically

19 The Righteousness of God Grammatically A righteousness that God possesses (possession)

20 The Righteousness of God Grammatically A righteousness that God possesses (possession) A righteousness that God bestows (source)

21 The Righteousness of God

22 The Righteousness of God Recent scholars generally agree that the one theme that may encapsulate the entire book is the righteousness of God. Unfortunately, the precise meaning of this phrase is disputed. First, traditionally Protestant interpreters have argued that the phrase refers to a gift that God grants. God judges sinners to be righteous if they believe in Christ (Rom. 3:21 22; 4:1 8; 10:3). Catholic interpreters, still acknowledging that righteousness is a gift, have argued that it refers to an actual righteousness that God produces in believers by His transforming power (Rom. 6 8). Perhaps the most commonly held view today is that righteousness of God refers to a power that God exercises, God s saving power. This interpretation emphasizes the OT concept of divine righteousness (Ps. 98:2; Isa. 46:13; 51:8). Finally, others see the phrase as expressing a quality that God possesses. God is righteous. This righteousness is expressed both in His just condemnation of sinners and in His declaring and then actually making believers righteous (Rom. 3:3 5, 25 26). The fact is one cannot isolate any of these definitions as the single meaning of the phrase. Each definition is applicable in various contexts. The fourth and final definition, however, is probably the one that Paul has in mind in Rom. 1:17. Page Quarles

23 NPP: The Righteousness of God

24 NPP: The Righteousness of God Covenantal nomism is the view that one s place in God s plan is established on the basis of the covenant and that the covenant requires as the proper response of man his obedience to its commandments, while providing means of atonement for transgression Obedience maintains one s position in the covenant, but it does not earn God s grace as such Righteousness in Judaism is a term which implies the maintenance of status among the group of the elect. (emphasis in the original) Page Sanders

25 NPP: The Righteousness of God

26 NPP: The Righteousness of God But Abraham s righteousness is his right standing within that covenant, and God s righteousness is his unswerving commitment to be faithful to that covenant including the promise (4:13) that Abraham would inherit the world. Page Wright God s righteousness here is his faithfulness to the covenant, specifically to the covenant with Abraham made in Genesis 15, and that it is because of this covenant that God deals with sins through the faithful, obedient death of Jesus the Messiah (3:24 26). -- Wright

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28 Righteousness δικαιοσύνη

29 Righteousness BDAG: 1) the quality, state, or practice of judicial responsibility w. focus on fairness, justice, equitableness, fairness 2) the quality or state of juridical correctness with focus on redemptive action, righteousness 3) the quality or characteristic of upright behavior, uprightness, righteousness δικαιοσύνη a) of uprightness in general: b) of specific action righteousness in the sense of fulfilling divine expectation not specifically expressed in ordinances c) uprightness as determined by divine/legal standards

30 Righteousness δικαιοσύνη

31 Righteousness δικαιοσύνη Louw-Nida: 1) to cause someone to be in a proper or right relation with someone else to put right with, to cause to be in a right relationship with. 2) the act of doing what God requires righteousness, doing what God requires, doing what is right. 3) observances or practices required by one s religion religious observances, religious requirements. 4) acts of charity, alms, giving to the needy. Vine: the character or quality of being right or just Liddell: righteousness, justice

32 Righteousness δικαιοσύνη

33 Righteousness δικαιοσύνη In Pauline thought the intimate association of God s interest in retaining a reputation for justice that rewards goodness and requites evil, while at the same time working out a plan of salvation for all humanity, complicates classification of his use of δικαιοσύνη. -- BDAG Page footnote

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35 The Righteousness of God 7x in New Testament Romans 1:17 Romans 3:5, 21, 22 Romans 10:3 2 Corinthians 5:21 James 1:20

36 The Righteousness of God

37 The Righteousness of God Romans 1:17 (NKJV) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

38 The Righteousness of God Romans 1:17 (NKJV) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 3:21-25 (NKJV) 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

39 The Righteousness of God

40 The Righteousness of God Romans 3:1 5 (NKJV) 1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

41 The Righteousness of God Different Word! Romans 3:1 5 (NKJV) 1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

42 The Righteousness of God

43 The Righteousness of God Romans 3:21-25 (NKJV) 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

44 The Righteousness of God

45 The Righteousness of God But now, God s righteousness is made manifest apart from the law. Not apart from the single plan, apart from God s Israelshaped purposes, but apart from the Torah. God s righteousness, in the light of 2:17 3:8, must mean, and can only mean, God s faithfulness to his single plan, the plan through which he will deal with the problem of human sin and put the whole world right at last. That is not only what the Old Testament usage would demand; it is not only what is indicated by the post-biblical second-temple literature of which John Piper is so cautious. It is massively indicated by the argument of Romans itself to this point, provided we actually read what Paul says, particularly in 2:17 3:8, rather than merely assuming that we can read 1:18 and 3:19f. and conclude that everything in between is merely a way of saying so all are sinful and need saving. And it is powerfully supported by the actual argument of 3:21 4:25. Page Wright

46 The Righteousness of God

47 The Righteousness of God In particular, it is supported by the emphatic conclusion of 3:25f., which can only mean that God is revealing his own righteousness. Paul says it three times: to display his righteousness (3:25), to display his righteousness again (3:26), so that he might himself be dikaios, in the right (3:26) -- Wright Page 192

48 The Righteousness of God

49 The Righteousness of God Romans 3:21-26 (NKJV) 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

50 The Righteousness of God

51 The Righteousness of God Romans 9:30 10:5 (NKJV) 30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. 1 Brethren, my heart s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, The man who does those things shall live by them.

52 The Righteousness of God

53 The Righteousness of God 2 Corinthians 5:18 21 (NKJV) 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

54 The Righteousness of God But if Paul means so that we apostles embody in our own lives the fact that, in Christ, the God of the covenant has been faithful to his singleplan-through-israelfor-the-world, is this not an exact and accurate way of saying just this? Page Wright 2 Corinthians 5:18 21 (NKJV) 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

55 The Righteousness of God

56 The Righteousness of God James 1:12 20 (NKJV) 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God ; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

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58 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Ephesians 2:8 9 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

59 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast

60 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast His denial that justification is from works of law is, more precisely, a denial that justification depends on circumcision or on observation of the Jewish purity and food taboos. We may justifiably deduce therefore that by works of law Paul intended his readers to think of particularly observances of the law like circumcision and the food laws. His Galatian readership might well think also of the one other area of law observance to which Paul refers disapprovingly later in the same letter their observance of special days and feasts (Gal. 4:10). Page 199 Dunn

61 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast

62 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Works of law, works of the law are nowhere understood here, either by his Jewish interlocutors or by Paul himself, as works which earn God s favour, as merit-amassing observances. They are rather seen as badges: they are simply what membership of the covenant people involves, what mark out the Jews as God s people; given by God for precisely that reason, they serve to demonstrate covenant status...to be a Jew, was to be a member of the covenant, was to observe circumcision, food laws and sabbath. Dunn Page 199

63 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast

64 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Some Questions:

65 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Some Questions: When Paul wrote of works or works of the law, did he have in mind identity markers (circumcision, sabbath-keeping, dietary restrictions)?

66 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Some Questions: When Paul wrote of works or works of the law, did he have in mind identity markers (circumcision, sabbath-keeping, dietary restrictions)? Is there any evidence that Paul was indeed confronting the pursuit of a works-based righteousness? Ephesians 2:8 9 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

67 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast

68 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Romans 3:27 4:4 (NKJV) 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. 1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

69 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast

70 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Nothing is said of works of law in the sense of identity markers, only of works in the sense of human labor ( one who works ) which are owed a wage. The commercial tone of earning a wage by working seems palpable. Paul, then, contrasts such work with Abraham s faith which brought justification as a gift and without works. What the NPP seeks to deny the presence of a legalistic earning mentality based upon how much one has worked seems to be plopped unmistakably in the middle of Paul s own argument. Here is that contrast of faith (or gift) versus works which the Reformation highlighted and which Sanders and the NPP called into question for interpreting Paul and Judaism. Page Yinger

71 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast

72 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Several passages from the disputed letters of Paul seem to point unmistakably to precisely the grace-versus-works contrast that the NPP says was not in Paul s mind. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8 9) [God] saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. (2 Tim 1:9) He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy. (Tit 3:5) Surely these texts presume that someone was asserting salvation through your own doing, because of one s own works of righteousness rather than the gift and mercy of God. The writer wishes to exclude any notion of earning salvation by human efforts which lead to self-congratulation. In spite of the clear challenge to the NPP posed by these verses, writers aligned with this perspective have been strangely silent, in some cases because these passages are not considered Pauline. Page Yinger

73 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast

74 Not of Works, Lest Anyone Should Boast Galatians 3:10 13 (NKJV) 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them. 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for the just shall live by faith. 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but the man who does them shall live by them. 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree ),

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76 Conclusions

77 Conclusions Context - The strongest argument against the NPP viewpoint regarding the righteousness of God and the works of the law Jewish exclusiveness acknowledged For the meaning of works of the law biblical testimony is more authoritative than the declarations of theologians, whether they are from the early church, the Reformation, or the 20th or 21st centuries. The testimony of the OT, Jesus, and Paul is contrary to the viewpoint of the NPP. Page Barrick