Romans 3

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Their feet are swift to shed blood:

Destruction and misery are in their ways:

And the way of peace have they not known:

There is no fear of God before their eyes.

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.

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.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

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:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

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;

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

What does Romans 3:25 mean?

Explanation

Romans 3:25 speaks of Jesus Christ and His role in the redemption of humanity according to Christian theology.

The term "propitiation" refers to the act of appeasing a deity; thus, in this context, the verse suggests that Jesus was presented by God as a means to appease His own righteous demands, allowing for the forgiveness of sins.

"Through faith in his blood" implies that belief in the sacrificial death of Jesus, represented by His bloodshed, is essential for this atonement to be effective.

The "remission of sins that are past" indicates that Jesus' sacrifice covers sins committed before it took place, and "through the forbearance of God" implies that God has patiently withheld immediate judgment to provide an opportunity for humans to be reconciled with Him.

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Historical Context

The Book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul, around 56-58 A.D., to the church in Rome.

This was a time when Christianity was spreading through the Roman Empire, and there were tensions between Jewish and Gentile converts.

Paul addresses both groups, teaching them the universality of sin and the availability of God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ for all, regardless of their ethnic background or religious upbringing.

Theological Insights

This verse is central to several theological discussions:

Atonement: The idea that Christ's death was necessary for humanity's reconciliation with God is a cornerstone of Christian soteriology.
Justification by Faith: The verse supports the doctrine that it is through faith, not works, that one is made righteous before God.
God's Righteousness: It demonstrates that God remains just while justifying the sinner, preserving the divine attribute of righteousness.
Divine Forbearance: This points to the notion that God's postponement of judgment was an act of mercy, allowing space for repentance.

Practical Applications

Believers may find comfort in the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus.

This verse encourages a humble acknowledgment of one's need for divine grace and promotes a spirit of gratitude for the believed sacrifice of Jesus. It also serves as a call for believers to exercise patience and extend forgiveness, as God has done for them.

Cross-References

1 John 2:2: "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Hebrews 9:22: "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
Ephesians 1:7: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

Language Study

In the original Greek text:

Propitiation: "hilasterion", which can mean mercy seat, a place of atonement, or a sacrifice of atonement.
Faith: "pisteos", meaning trust, belief, or confidence.
Blood: "autou to haima", referring to the life and sacrificial death of Jesus.
Righteousness: "dikaiosyne", the quality of being just or right.
Remission: "aphesis", implying forgiveness or release from bondage.
Forbearance: "anoche", denoting patience, restraint, or tolerance.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a sacrificial system where a life is given to atone for sin is not unique to Christianity and parallels can be found in various ancient cultures.

For example, in Judaism, Yom Kippur involved animal sacrifices for the atonement of sins.

In paganism, there were also various rituals and sacrifices meant to appease gods.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not have a direct connection to empirical science, as it deals with spiritual and theological concepts that fall outside the scope of scientific inquiry.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have long commented on this verse:

John Stott emphasizes the justice of God and the centrality of Christ’s propitiatory sacrifice in God’s plan of salvation.
N.T.

Wright focuses on the theme of God's covenant faithfulness and righteousness revealed through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Martin Luther famously found in this verse and its context the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which was instrumental to the Protestant Reformation.

Romans 3

Romans 3

What does Romans 3:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 3:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?