Romans 3:22 - Righteousness through Faith

And this righteousness from God
This phrase emphasizes that righteousness is a divine attribute and gift, not something humans can achieve on their own. In the context of Romans, Paul is addressing both Jews and Gentiles, highlighting that righteousness is not based on the Law or ethnic heritage but is a gift from God. This aligns with Old Testament teachings, such as in Isaiah 45:24-25, where righteousness is associated with God’s deliverance.

comes through faith in Jesus Christ
Faith in Jesus Christ is the means by which this righteousness is received. This reflects the core Christian doctrine of justification by faith, as seen in Habakkuk 2:4, "the righteous will live by his faith," which Paul also cites in Romans 1:17. The historical context of the early church shows a shift from the works of the Law to faith in Christ as the basis for righteousness, a radical departure from Jewish tradition.

to all who believe
This phrase underscores the universality of the gospel message. It is inclusive, extending beyond the Jewish people to Gentiles, fulfilling the promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3). The early church, as seen in Acts, grappled with this inclusivity, leading to the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, which affirmed that Gentile believers were not required to follow the Jewish Law.

There is no distinction
Paul emphasizes that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile in terms of access to God’s righteousness. This reflects the breaking down of barriers, as seen in Ephesians 2:14-16, where Christ is described as having broken down the dividing wall of hostility. Historically, this was a significant shift in the early church, challenging deeply held cultural and religious divisions.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. Jesus Christ
Central to the Christian faith, Jesus is the Son of God whose life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of salvation.

3. The Roman Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, the Roman Christians were a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers living in the heart of the Roman Empire.

4. God
The source of righteousness, God is portrayed as just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus.

5. Faith
A key concept in Christian theology, faith is the means by which believers receive righteousness from God.

Teaching Points

Righteousness from God
Understand that righteousness is a gift from God, not something we can achieve on our own. It is granted through faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith as the Key
Emphasize the importance of faith in Jesus as the means to receive God's righteousness. Faith is not just intellectual assent but a trust and reliance on Christ.

Unity in Christ
Recognize that in Christ, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, or any other division. All believers are equal recipients of God's grace.

Living by Faith
Encourage believers to live out their faith daily, trusting in God's promises and allowing His righteousness to transform their lives.

Evangelism and Inclusivity
Use this understanding of righteousness to reach out to others, sharing the message that salvation is available to all who believe, without distinction.

(22) A further definition of the nature of the righteousness so given to the Christian by God; it is a righteousness that has its root in faith, and is coextensive with faith, being present in every believer.

By faith of Jesus Christ--i.e., by faith which has Christ for its object, "faith in Christ." "Faith" in St. Paul's writings implies an intense attachment and devotion. It has an intellectual basis, necessarily involving a belief in the existence, and in certain attributes, of the Person for whom it is entertained; but it is moral in its operation, a recasting of the whole emotional nature in accordance with this belief, together with a consequent change in character and practice. (See Excursus B: On the Meaning of the word Faith.)

And upon all.--These words are wanting in the best MSS., and should be omitted.

For there is no difference.--The righteousness that God gives is given to all that believe, without any distinction of Jew or Gentile; for all equally need it, and it is free equally to all.

Verse 22. - Even the righteousness of God through faith of Jesus Christ unto all (and upon all is added in the Textus Receptus, but ill supported) them that believe: for there is no distinction. We observe that the expression here used is not ἡ διὰ πίστεως but simply διὰ πίστεως. Thus διὰ πίστεως does not naturally connect itself with δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ as defining it, but rather with εἰς πάντας which follows, and perhaps with reference to the πεφανέρωται of ver. 21 understood. The idea, then, may be still that of God's own righteousness, manifested in Christ, unto or towards all believers, who through faith apprehended it and became sharers in it. When St. Paul elsewhere speaks of the believer's imputed righteousness, his language is different, so as to make his meaning plain. Thus Romans 4:6, ῷ ὁ Θεὸς λογίζεται δικαιοσύνην δικαιοσύνης πίστεως; Romans 5:17, τῆς δωρεᾶς τῆς δικαιοσύνης; Romans 9:30δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐκ πίτσεως; Philippians 3:9, τὴν ἐκ Θεοῦ δικαιοσύνην ἐπὶ τῇ πίστει. What we contend for is simply this - that the phrase δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ means God's own righteousness, which, manifested in the atoning Christ, embraces believers, so that to them too righteousness may be imputed (Romans 4:11). Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

[this] righteousness
δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343: From dikaios; equity; specially justification.

[from] God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[comes] through
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

faith
πίστεως (pisteōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

in Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

who
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

believe.
πιστεύοντας (pisteuontas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

There is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

no
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

distinction,
διαστολή (diastolē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1293: Distinction, difference, separation. From diastellomai; a variation.

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Romans 3:22 Catholic BibleNT Letters: Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God through faith (Rom. Ro)