Romans 3:21-26, The Faithfulness of Christ

The Reason for Displaying His Righteousness from the Perspective of Man (v. 21–24)

Belief in the Faithfulness of Christ (v. 22–24)

In verse 22, Paul introduces a closer definition of “the righteousness of God,” defining the righteousness in question as that which is through the faithfulness of Christ. Here the traditional translation has been “faith in Christ,” but grammatically “the faithfulness of Christ” is preferred. The complete argument for this translation is too long and encumbered by discussion of Greek to include here. To get the basics of it I would recommend reading the NET Bible note on this verse. If you would like my complete argument, please leave a comment so indicating and I would be happy to get that to you.

Let me nuance this by stating that this translation does not discount that that Christ is still the object of our faith, as that teaching cannot be denied in the letters of Paul.This translation merely implies that “the object of faith is a worthy object, for He himself is faithful. Though Paul elsewhere teaches justification by faith, this presupposes that the object of our faith is reliable and worthy of such faith” (Wallace, 116). Conceptually, “the faithfulness of Christ” is a better fit as well. It is in line with the past temporal emphasis of Paul, his focus on the gospel events themselves, the faithfulness of Christ as a sacrifice. This is not to imply that the faithfulness of Christ was only temporary, but simply that Paul’s emphasis was on the historical action of the cross.

Though it may be hard to distinguish it in English, the phrase “for all who believe” (εἰς πάνταςτοὺς πιστεύοντας) modifies “righteousness” and not “the faithfulness of Christ.” Here we now begin to see Paul shift his focus from simply the historical, temporal demonstration of righteousness to its long lasting implications for humanity.[1] This “righteousness of God” is made manifest “for/to all those who believe” and this is done without distinction.

Following the concept of God’s righteousness which we see in verse 26 (both His inward nature and His outward actions), here we see Paul discussing the second aspect, His outward actions. The phrase “for there is no distinction” is important to keep in mind here. Up until this point in Romans a phrase that Paul has repeated has been “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (1:16; 2:9, 10) noting the natural revelation made clear to all humanity and the special revelation that been presented to the Jews. But now this special revelation has been presented to all humanity, that just as all will fail to be justified by the Law (3:20), now all can be justified through belief in the faithful sacrifice of Christ.

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[1] τοὺς πιστεύοντας is a present substantival participle with gnomic and continual force, “to everyone who continually believes” (Wallace, 620–21).