In the previous post, the controversy over the failure of the Judaic Plan was addressed. Part of the answer was that God’s justice must be met — no matter what. The complainers want a ‘by.’ In the following section the real answer is given — as it always was (underlines or [square brackets] are mine):
Romans 3:21-26 21 But now apart from the Law [the demanding, and cursing, moral law, considered narrowly], the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets [the Old Covenant Scriptures considered broadly],
Breaking into Paul’s sentence for comment: This indicates that there are multiple senses of the term “law” directly appearing in the Pauline discourse. We need to recognize these senses and learn to use them properly, in all our interpretation of the Scriptures written before Christ, as well as after.
Continuing, as Paul describes the nature of the righteousness which has always been preached throughout the times of both testaments:
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ [however little they knew] for all those who believe [the 'all' still referring to Jews and Gentiles]; for there is no distinction [between Jew and Gentile]; 23 for all [Jews and Gentiles] have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 [all of them] being justified as a gift [not by what they do, in either testament, but] by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
We thus see that Paul’s argument about all being sinners is not just an argument that all persons are sinners, but, more technically, an argument that Jew and Gentile have always been saved the same way (as a gift to faith), by the same sacrifice (the sacrifice of Christ), however little or however much they knew of this Christ.
Coming to (his) present time, Paul concludes, about this Christ:
25 whom God displayed publicly [a public sacrifice is offered for all to receive] as a propitiation in His blood [the true lesson of the Judaic sacrifices now manifested effectually] through faith [not by what people do]. This was to demonstrate His righteousness …
The question has previously arisen in this chapter about the justice of God in condemning the apostate Jews. All the while this righteous condemnation was ongoing, the righteousness of God displayed the Savior, whose righteousness was available as a gift to believers, whether Jew or Gentile. As Paul mentioned previously, God will be justified in his judgments, because he will be just even if every man is found a liar. But, those protected by the sacrifice of Messiah Jesus will be saved. And, that salvation will be just.
This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just [in all his judgments, however, negative they may be] and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
This is the answer to the Judaic Failure. God is just — absolutely so — and the condemner of all who break his Law, even though it be every man; and yet at exactly the same time he is the just Savior and just justifier of those who do nothing to save themselves, but who receive the Savior by faith from the heart.
A final observation needs to be made: We have talked a lot about apostate Jews. But the argument of the apostle so often fastens upon them because they had the Scriptures, and the ancient saints were their literal fathers. The same spiritual complaint fastens upon the Gentiles just as well. They all, Jew or Gentile, if not obvious moral rebels, all appeal to their knowledge of the law (which is a real knowledge), and all condemn law-breakers (as long as it is not themselves), and make no effort to repent and accept the way of salvation through Christ.
We learn from this that the basic ethical consciousness of law is easily found, even in religion, where the preaching of ethics may be the most common thing. It may be found in the synagogue or the mosque, even in paganism and atheism. (Atheists can make great moralists.)
The preaching of God’s Law ought also to be found in the church, in pure form, and is absolutely needed. But, the only place in the entire world where the gospel of Jesus Christ may be found is the Church of Christ. This is the justification for our existence. Our motivation to obedience comes not from the powerless knowledge of morality which is intrinsic and common to man, but from the empowerment of the Spirit which comes to sinners by faith in Christ.
