Romans 3:28 - We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Romans 3:28" mean?
Romans 3:28, "We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law," is a cornerstone of Protestant theology and a key passage in understanding Paul's argument in the book of Romans. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Key Terms:
Justified: To be declared righteous in God's sight. It's a legal term, like being acquitted in a courtroom. It doesn't mean becoming righteous, but rather being declared righteous, having a right standing before God.
Faith: Not just intellectual assent (believing that something is true), but a trusting, active reliance on Jesus Christ. It involves believing in Jesus and relying on His work, not your own, for salvation.
Works of the Law: Observance of the commandments and rituals found in the Old Testament Law (Torah), including the Ten Commandments, ceremonial laws, dietary restrictions, etc. Paul is specifically referring to works done in an attempt to earn righteousness before God. He's not saying good works are irrelevant; rather, they are a result of justification, not the cause of it.
Meaning of the Verse:
The verse asserts that a person is declared righteous (justified) by God solely through faith in Jesus Christ, and not through their own efforts to keep the Law. In other words:
Salvation is not earned: You cannot earn your way into a right relationship with God by perfectly obeying the Law. No one can achieve perfect obedience (Romans 3:23 - "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God").
Faith is the instrument: Faith is the means by which we receive God's gift of righteousness. It's like an empty hand reaching out to receive a gift.
Focus on Christ's Work: Justification is based on Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection. God sees Christ's righteousness credited to our account when we believe.
Universal Application: This applies to everyone – Jew and Gentile alike. Salvation is offered to all through faith in Jesus Christ, not through ethnic heritage or adherence to a specific set of rules.
Context is Crucial:
To fully understand this verse, consider the surrounding verses and the overall argument of Romans:
Romans 1-3: Paul argues that both Gentiles (non-Jews) and Jews are under sin and unable to attain righteousness through their own efforts (whether through paganism or adherence to the Law).
Romans 4: Paul uses Abraham as an example. Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised (a key sign of the Law), demonstrating that faith, not works, was the basis of his justification.
Romans 5: Paul describes the benefits of justification by faith – peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory.
Romans 6-8: Paul addresses the misunderstanding that justification by faith leads to lawlessness. He clarifies that genuine faith leads to a transformed life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, which produces good works as a result of salvation, not a means of obtaining it.
Common Misunderstandings:
Antinomianism (Rejection of Law): This verse does not mean that Christians are free to ignore God's moral law. While the Law is not the means of salvation, it still reveals God's character and provides guidance for holy living. True faith leads to a desire to obey God's commands (see Romans 6).
"Easy Believism": Faith is not a mere intellectual agreement or a simple prayer. It's a genuine turning away from self-reliance and a trusting commitment to Christ as Lord. This commitment will inevitably lead to changes in one's life.
In Summary:
Romans 3:28 declares that a person is made right with God solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not through their own attempts to earn salvation by keeping the Law. This is a declaration of God's grace and mercy, offered freely to all who believe. It emphasizes that salvation is a gift received, not a wage earned. Good works are important, but they are the fruit of salvation, not the root.
Romans 3:28 - We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
What does "Romans 3:28" mean?
Romans 3:28, "We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law," is a cornerstone of Protestant theology and a key passage in understanding Paul's argument in the book of Romans. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Key Terms:
Justified: To be declared righteous in God's sight. It's a legal term, like being acquitted in a courtroom. It doesn't mean becoming righteous, but rather being declared righteous, having a right standing before God.
Faith: Not just intellectual assent (believing that something is true), but a trusting, active reliance on Jesus Christ. It involves believing in Jesus and relying on His work, not your own, for salvation.
Works of the Law: Observance of the commandments and rituals found in the Old Testament Law (Torah), including the Ten Commandments, ceremonial laws, dietary restrictions, etc. Paul is specifically referring to works done in an attempt to earn righteousness before God. He's not saying good works are irrelevant; rather, they are a result of justification, not the cause of it.
Meaning of the Verse:
The verse asserts that a person is declared righteous (justified) by God solely through faith in Jesus Christ, and not through their own efforts to keep the Law. In other words:
Salvation is not earned: You cannot earn your way into a right relationship with God by perfectly obeying the Law. No one can achieve perfect obedience (Romans 3:23 - "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God").
Faith is the instrument: Faith is the means by which we receive God's gift of righteousness. It's like an empty hand reaching out to receive a gift.
Focus on Christ's Work: Justification is based on Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection. God sees Christ's righteousness credited to our account when we believe.
Universal Application: This applies to everyone – Jew and Gentile alike. Salvation is offered to all through faith in Jesus Christ, not through ethnic heritage or adherence to a specific set of rules.
Context is Crucial:
To fully understand this verse, consider the surrounding verses and the overall argument of Romans:
Romans 1-3: Paul argues that both Gentiles (non-Jews) and Jews are under sin and unable to attain righteousness through their own efforts (whether through paganism or adherence to the Law).
Romans 4: Paul uses Abraham as an example. Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised (a key sign of the Law), demonstrating that faith, not works, was the basis of his justification.
Romans 5: Paul describes the benefits of justification by faith – peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory.
Romans 6-8: Paul addresses the misunderstanding that justification by faith leads to lawlessness. He clarifies that genuine faith leads to a transformed life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, which produces good works as a result of salvation, not a means of obtaining it.
Common Misunderstandings:
Antinomianism (Rejection of Law): This verse does not mean that Christians are free to ignore God's moral law. While the Law is not the means of salvation, it still reveals God's character and provides guidance for holy living. True faith leads to a desire to obey God's commands (see Romans 6).
"Easy Believism": Faith is not a mere intellectual agreement or a simple prayer. It's a genuine turning away from self-reliance and a trusting commitment to Christ as Lord. This commitment will inevitably lead to changes in one's life.
In Summary:
Romans 3:28 declares that a person is made right with God solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not through their own attempts to earn salvation by keeping the Law. This is a declaration of God's grace and mercy, offered freely to all who believe. It emphasizes that salvation is a gift received, not a wage earned. Good works are important, but they are the fruit of salvation, not the root.