Romans 3
Romans Chapter 3, Explained
Romans 3 brings Paul's argument to a sobering conclusion: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Jew and Gentile alike, no one is righteous on their own, and no amount of law keeping can earn a clean record. The chapter first closes every mouth, so that the whole world is accountable to God.
But then comes one of the great turning points in Scripture. A righteousness from God has been revealed apart from the law, given freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, received by faith. God is shown to be both just and the one who justifies the ungodly, so that no one can boast. Salvation is a gift, not a wage.
Key verses from Romans 3
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 3:23
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
Romans 3:24
The main point
Romans 3 is about our shared guilt before God and the free gift of being made right with Him through Christ.
How Romans 3 points to Jesus
The redemption Paul points to is entirely in Jesus, whose death satisfies God's justice and opens His mercy. Because we could never earn a right standing, He gives it freely to everyone who trusts in Christ.
Want to sit with this chapter for yourself? Open The Living Bread to read Romans 3 in full, ask any question about it, and pray with others, free.