Sunday, July 29, 2012 Lesson #19 Righteousness of God is manifested to ALL I. Reading Lesson: Romans 3:25-31 (The Righteousness of God shown forth) Review previous lessons II. Romans 3:19-20 The purpose of the law (What the law DOES) a. What things soever the law sayeth: (What does the law say?) i. Declares the sinfulness of man i Declares the righteousness of God Sets forth the sacrifice for sin Jesus Christ b. Stops every mouth: No rebuttal, without excuse, without defense c. All become guilty before God! i. Guilty: [Wordstudy] hupódikos; from hupó (G5259), under, and díke (G1349), judgment, justice. Under sentence, condemned, liable, subject to prosecution. It describes one who comes under díke, judgment, and even who is pronounced guilty. Hupódikos denotes one who is bound to do or suffer what is imposed for the sake of justice because he has neglected to do what is right. Therefore, it denotes one who is under obligation to make compensation (Rom_3:19) Young s Literal translation: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may come under judgment to God d. Brings us to the knowledge of sin: i. Romans 7:7-13 (READ ALL) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. i Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.but sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 1. Schoolmaster: [Wordstudy] paidagoḡós; noun from país (G3816), a child, and agoḡós, a leader, which is from ágo (G71), to lead. An instructor or teacher of children. Originally referred to the slave who conducted the boys from home to the school. [Barnes] Referred originally to a slave or freedman, to whose care boys were committed, and who accompanied them to the public schools. His main duty was not instruction, but it was to watch over the boys; to restrain them from evil and temptation; and to conduct them to the schools, where they might receive instruction. Thus, the law of God still needs to be preached today! e. Theerfore by the deeds of the law shall NO flesh be justified: i. Young s Literal Translation: wherefore by works of law shall no flesh be declared righteous before Him, for through law is a knowledge of sin. 1
III. But now Romans 3:21; But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; a. Young s Literal Translation: And now apart from law hath the righteousness of God been manifested, testified to by the law and the prophets b. Ties back to Chapter 1:17: Romans 1:17 For therein (in the Gospel) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. i. The discussion concerning the wickedness of man was a parenthetical statement inserted between 1:17 and 3:21. c. The righteousness of God: (Refer back to lesson #8 notes) i. AT Robertson from Romans 1:17: a God kind of righteousness, one that each must have and can obtain in no other way save from faith unto faith d. Apart from the law [Barnes] In a way different from personal obedience to the Law, that justification could not be accomplished by personal obedience to any law of Jew or Gentile, and that it must be accomplished in some other way. i. The way different from law is grace. (SEE VERSE 24) i Not declaring a NEW way, as the plan has been the same from the beginning EXPLAIN: Hebrews 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 1. New: prósphatos; adj. from prós (G4314) denoting nearness of time, and phéno, to kill. Originally it was used to refer to the newly-killed animal or man; hence, of flesh just killed, fresh meat, or of fresh vegetables just picked. e. Is manifested, (YLT: hath been manifested ): made apparent (how was it manifested?) i. In the Gospel Paul was preaching: Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness i of God revealed The gospel reveals the life of Christ, his death (sacrifice for sin) and his resurrection to life. The very presence of Jesus in the world: John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? f. Being witnessed by the law i. John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:45-47 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? 2
g. Witnessed by the Prophets: (we will give one example of MANY) 1. Matthew 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,.. (READ THROUGH VERSE 21) 2. Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.. (READ THROUGH VERSE 4) IV. Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: a. The righteousness of God IS OBTAINABLE b. BY : dia; A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act c. Faith of Jesus Christ ; Acts 16:31, John 3:16, John 5:24 d. Unto all and upon all them that believe (Note the unto and upon. At the first this sounds like a redundant phrase, but is it? This goes to the doctrine of Calvinism) 1. (YLT); Romans 3:22 and the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, --for there is no difference, 2. (ESV); Romans 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 3. (READ from J.P. Green Greek Interlinear) 4. [Adam Clarke] That method of saving sinners which is not of works, but by faith in Christ Jesus; and it is not restrained to any particular people, as the law and its privileges were, but is unto all mankind in its intention and offer, and becomes effectual to them that believe; for God hath now made no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. 5. Unto all [Wordstudy] eis; prep. with the primary idea of motion into any place or thing; also of motion or direction to, toward or upon any place, thing. 6. And ; 7. Upon all [Strong] A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [Wordstudy] Of place, and generally combining the ideas of rest and motion upon. a. Superimposition: [Websters] to put or join as an addition e. Upon ALL them that believe! NO DIFFERENCE! (Distinction) (God shows no partiality in redemption as he does not in condemnation!) 1. Believe: pisteuo ; [Strong] to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing); by implication to entrust (especially one s spiritual well being to Christ), put in trust with. 2. More than just a carnal knowledge or faith!!! f. WHY is it this way? Romans 3:23 FOR (a causative particle standing always after one or more words in a clause and expressing the reason for what has been before, affirmed or implied) all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 3
V. Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: a. Justified: [Strong] to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent [Thayer] to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous 1. Faultless: without fault: Revelation 14:5, Jude 1:24 b. Freely: do rean; [Thayer] freely, undeservedly [Strong] gratuitously [Wordstudy] gratis, as a free gift 1. No one has done anything to deserve the gift of God! Which is absolutely contrary to the LAW and the demands of the LAW which had been previously explained. 2. No one deserves the grace of God. We are all law breakers, deserving of punishment and the wrath of God! c. By his: of his own d. Grace: cháris; [Wordstudy] A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor. e. Through: dia; denoting the channel of an act 1. Salvation is ALL of God s Grace. a. Preaching of Gospel b. Drawing of God c. Conviction d. Guilt, condemnation over sin e. Repentance f. Faith 2. The grace of God sets forth his righteousness. God owes us nothing! f. Redemption: apolútro sis; to let go free for a ransom, which is from apó (G575), from, and lutróo (G3084), to redeem. Redemption. The recalling of captives (sinners) from captivity (sin) through the payment of a ransom for them, i.e., Christ's death 1. Bought out of the slave market! Romans 6:17-18 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. a. Made Free: eleutheroo ; to liberate, that is to exempt 2. The Jews did not see their bondage to sin: John 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? (READ JOHN 8;34-36); FREE INDEED! 3. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; g. In Christ Jesus; IN: en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality 4
VI. 1. Redemption is ONLY in Christ Jesus: Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Begin lesson July 29, 2012 Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Context here is the righteousness of God. See verses 21-23) a. YLT: Romans 3:25-26 whom God did set forth a mercy seat, through the faith in his blood, for the shewing forth of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the bygone sins in the forbearance of God-- for the shewing forth of His righteousness in the present time, for His being righteous, and declaring him righteous who is of the faith of Jesus b. ESV: Romans 3:25-26 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (26) It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus c. God hath set forth: To propose, set forth or before the eyes, publicly, to propose, purpose, design beforehand AT Robertson; to place, to propose to oneself. God set before himself (purposed) and did it publicly before the whole world d. Propitiation: The word is found four times in NT. But not same Greek word in all verse 1. Propitiation: hilaste ŕion is found in Romans 3:25 (propitiation) and Hebrews 9:5 (mercy seat) a. Hebrews 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 2. Propitiation: hilasmós, a noun, found in I John 2:2 and I John 4:10 3. NOTE: Both words have the same root word, hiláskomai, which means to expiate or to make satisfaction for. We find this word in Hebrews 2:17. a. Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 4. Definition; hilaste ŕion; [Wordstudy] adj. from hiláskomai, Propitiatory, expiatory, merciful. Mercy seat, viewed as a subst. Used in the NT as a neut. noun. The lid or covering of the ark of the covenant made of pure gold, on and before which the high priest was to sprinkle the blood of the expiatory sacrifices on the Day of Atonement, and where the Lord promised to meet His people. Paul, by applying this name to Christ in Rom_3:25, assures us that Christ was the true mercy seat, the reality typified by the cover on the ark of the covenant (Heb_9:5). Therefore, it means a place of conciliation, of expiation, the altar or place of sacrifice. It does not refer to the expiatory sacrifices themselves. Jesus Christ is designated as hilaste ŕion in Rom_3:25 and Heb_9:5 because he is designated not only as the place where the sinner deposits his sin, but he himself is the means of expiation. He is not like the 5
high priest of the OT whose expiation of the people was accomplished through the blood of something other than himself (Heb_9:25). The hilaste ŕion means the propitiating thing or the propitiatory gift, that which causes God to deal with us mercifully. This is the connotation given by Paul to the word in Rom_3:25. Here Paul depicts Christ as the lamb slain whose blood cleanses us from sin. In heathen religions the people who sacrificed or did anything to appease their god appeared to be or believed that they were manipulating him. In Christianity, however, it is never people who take the initiative or make the sacrifice, but God Himself who, out of His great love for sinners, provided the way by which His wrath against sin might be averted. Jesus shed His blood and became the way to the Father for sinners. The effect of Christ's work on the cross is the salvation of the sinner, who then becomes capable of fellowship with a holy God. 5. Definition; hilasmós, [Wordstudy] The benefit of Christ's blood for the sinner in the acceptance by the Father. Hilasmós refers to Christ as the one who not only propitiates but offers Himself as the propitiatory sacrifice. (Refers more to the actual sacrifice that Jesus made) 6. Paul is making his point to the Jews! e. Through faith in his blood (the way to have the propitiation applied, more in chapter 4) Paul here begins to introduce faith. f. To declare his righteousness (righteousness of God) 1. Declare: [strong] indication, token, proof 2. HIS righteousness as opposed to the righteousness of man: a. Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. b. AT Robertson definition: a God kind of righteousness, one that each must have and can obtain in no other way save from faith unto faith (Romans 1:17) c. AT Robertson on Romans 3:25; For showing of his righteousness, the God-kind of righteousness. God could not let sin go as if a mere slip. God demanded the atonement and provided it. 3. Remission of sins: a. Remission: (In Romans 3:25, only once in NT) páresis; noun from paríe mi (G3935), to let pass by. A passing over, an overlooking of faults. It refers to the putting aside of our sins, without punishment, as in Rom_3:25 (KJV) where it is translated "remission." This is more equivalent to áphesis (G859), forgiveness, pardon. Áphíesis is the actual remission of sins, the canceling of moral indebtedness. This presupposes Christ's sacrifice as punishment for sin, which páresis does not. Páresis is only the passing over of transgression, i.e., the suspension of a penalty and not the removal of it. b. Remission: (appears 17 times in NT, remission, forgiveness, deliverance & liberty) áphesis; noun. from aphíe mi (G863), to cause to stand away, to release 6
VII. one's sins from the sinner. Forgiveness, remission. This required Christ's sacrifice as punishment of sin, hence the putting away of sin and the deliverance of the sinner from the power of sin. See Mat_26:28; Mar_1:4; Mar_3:29; Luk_1:77; Luk_3:3; Luk_4:18; Luk_24:47; Act_2:38; Act_5:31; Act_10:43; Act_13:38; Act_26:18; Eph_1:7; Col_1:14; Heb_9:22; Heb_10:18; Sept.: Lev_25:11; Deu_15:3; Est_2:18; Isa_61:1. Distinguished from páresis (G3929), the temporary bypassing of sin (only in Rom_3:25). c. AT Robertson: The sins before the coming of Christ (Act_14:16; Act_17:30; Heb_9:15) 1. Acts 14:16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 2. Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 3. Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. d. Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? e. BA: Through God s forbearance, he gives us the opportunity to hear the Gospel. He allows us the opportunity to repent and believe. He tolerates our sin to give us the opportunity to experience his grace! g. Through the forbearance of God a. Forbearance; self-restraint, tolerance b. The forbearance of God brought Christ to the world! h. That he (God) might be just and the justifier a. Just: innocent b. Justifier: to declare just or innocent i. 7