In our previous study we looked at God’s righteousness, humanity’s sinfulness and our need for salvation. In this lesson we will look briefly at Paul’s cure for the curse of sin.
I. The Savior: Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:12-6:14)
Humanity is in need of salvation from sin, death and God’s wrath. Nothing within humanity has the ability to save (Rom. 7:18). It is only through the obedience of Jesus Christ in his life, death and resurrection that humanity can experience justification. The question is then: how is God’s righteousness imputed into sinful humanity? Is it by works of the Law? Not according to Paul.
The first Adam brought sin and death into the world; the Second Adam brought salvation and new life into the world (Rom. 5:12-21). Piper notes, “So Adam’s transgression is contrasted with Christ’s righteousness, which is understood as a gift. The implication is that although Adam’s transgression brought death to many, Christ’s righteousness, as a free gift abounded for many” (Piper, 2002, p. 104).
II. The Solution: Justification by Faith (Rom. 3:21-4:25, 6:1-23; Gal. 3:1-29)
Paul argues that justification and righteousness are obtained by faith, “What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith” (Rom. 9:30). Righteousness is not obtained by works of the Law, or by circumcision. “Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law” (Gal. 3:21). Paul uses Abraham in Romans 4 and Galatians 3 as an illustration to show that Abraham was considered righteous before he was circumcised (Rom. 4:2-3; Gal. 3:7-18). However, faith is not considered a work of humanity. God derives faith. Greathouse rightly adds, “Paul refuses to consider faith a human work of any kind (vv. 4-5). Quite the contrary, faith trusts in God’s word and work so completely that it despairs of human work as a means of gaining God’s favor” (Greathouse, 2008, p. 138).
According to Packer, “Justification means to Paul God’s act of remitting the sins of guilty men, and accounting them righteous, freely, by his grace, through faith in Christ, on the ground, not of their own works, but of the representative law-keeping and redemptive blood-shedding of the Lord Jesus Christ on their behalf” (Packer, 1996, p. 684).
a. Faith Not Works (3:21-4:25)
Paul’s polemic against justification by works is that righteousness can only be obtained through faith in Jesus Christ. The works of the Law cannot bring life considering that they only brought condemnation (Rom. 7:7-12; Gal. 3:10-12). Wright states, “Works of the law cannot justify, because God has redefined his people through the faithfulness of the Messiah” (Wright, 2009, p. 97). The Law only reveals sin it cannot forgive sin. No one can rely on the works of the Law to produce justification, because the righteous will live by faith (Gal. 3:11). Paul argues that the Law is not based upon faith, and it cannot produce righteousness but it can only produce judgment and curse (Gal. 3:10-14).
Conclusion
Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile you are a sinner in need of redemption (Rom. 3:9-18; 23). Being ignorant of God’s righteous demands is inexcusable (Rom. 1:18-32). Attempting to keep the Mosaic Law is inefficient (Rom. 2:1-29). The only way for one to be saved is through Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:21-26; 5:1-21). One can be justified by faith and have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them only by faith.
(This was written as a final research paper for Indiana Wesleyan University)
You can read more of my position on salvation in the New Testament here.
References:
Greathouse, W.M., & Lyons, G. (2008). Romans 1-8: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press
Greathouse, W.M., & Lyons, G. (2008). Romans 9-16: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press
Lyons, George (2012). Galatians: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
Packer, J.I. (1996). Justification. In I. H. Marshall; A.R. Millard; J.I. Packer; D.J. Wiseman; (Eds.), The New Bible Dictionary (p. 683-686) (3rd Ed.). Downers Grove, IL. Intervarsity Press.
Westerholm, Stephen (2013) Justification Reconsidered: Rethinking a Pauline Theme. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Witherington, Ben (2004). Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Witherington, Ben (1998). Grace in Galatia: A Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Wright, Tom (2009). Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision. London, Great Britain: SPCK.