Justification is the act by which God declares us just on the basis of the shed blood of Christ. We find access into justification by faith, not by the works of the law. In effect, justification imputes to us the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus while it imputes our sin to Christ to be paid for on the cross. This passage deals with these concepts and more concerning justification. Read and study it carefully.

What Does It Say?

1. For all have __________, and come short of the ___________ of God.
2. We are justified freely by God’s ________ through the ____________ that is in Christ Jesus.
3. Paul concludes that a man is justified by _________ without the deeds of the ________.
4. The one God shall justify the circumcision [the Jews] _______ faith and the uncircumcision [the Gentiles] _________ faith.
5. Faith will not make void the law but will rather ___________ the law.

What Does It Mean?

1. Paul introduces a special concept with the phrase, “the righteousness of God.” The righteousness of God is manifested without the law (v.21) and it is by faith (v.22). Read the following verses and give a definition of “the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3-4 [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. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
   See All...; Philippians 3:8-9 [8] Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? [9] Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
   See All....
2. The word, propitiation, is found in scripture only three times: Romans 3:25Whom 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;
   See All...; 1 John 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
   See All...; 1 John 4:10. The word has the idea of “satisfaction” in it. Read these verses. Who is satisfying? What is being satisfied? Why is this an important doctrine?
3. According to verse 26, God has at this time declared the righteousness of Christ so that He might be just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. How does the declaration of Christ’s righteousness (obviously through His death on the cross and resurrection) show God to be just? And, how does God use the righteousness of Christ to justify those who believe in Him. Remember that justification is a legal concept.

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Verses 19-20 give one of the great purposes of the law: to give the knowledge of sin and show the entire world to be guilty. How can this purpose be of benefit to the lost man? How can it benefit those who are saved?
2. Verse 27 teaches us that the law of faith has excluded boasting. What is boasting? How do people tend to boast of spiritual blessings? Why is this wrong and how can it be avoided? A good verse for this study is 1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
   See All....

Suggested Memory Verses

Romans 3:19-26 [19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [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: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [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; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
See All...