ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Romans 3

Rom. 3:1 Now Paul raises the logical question of whether there is any advantage or value in being an ethnic Jew and being physically circumcised. He probably means “value for salvation.”

Rom. 3:2 One might expect Paul to answer that there is no advantage in being a Jew (see v. 1). Instead, he claims that the Jews have great advantages, mainly in possessing the oracles of God, which refers to the OT Scriptures. On the Jews being entrusted with the oracles of God, see Deut. 4:8; 5:22–27; Ps. 147:20.

Rom. 3:3–4 Even though most Jews were unfaithful and refused to trust and obey God, he remains faithful to them. God will fulfill his covenant promises, particularly his promise to save them. Paul does not mean that every single Jew will be saved, though. He discusses God’s faithfulness to the Jews more fully in chs. 9–11.

Rom. 3:5–8 Some of Paul’s Jewish opponents claimed that he taught a doctrine of “cheap grace,” that is, that God receives more glory when Christians do evil and then are forgiven. Paul emphatically denies this but waits until ch. 6 to discuss this charge in more detail.

Rom. 3:9 Greeks. The entire Gentile world in contrast to the Jews.

Rom. 3:10–12 Paul focuses on the sinfulness of every human being, citing Ps. 14:1–3 and perhaps thinking of Eccles. 7:20. no one does good. Human beings do some things that seem to be good. But these actions, prior to salvation, are still stained by evil because they are not done for God’s glory (Rom. 1:21) and do not come from faith (14:23).

Rom. 3:13–14 Paul quotes from Ps. 5:9 and 10:7. The reference to the grave highlights either the corruption of the heart or the deadly effects of sin.

Rom. 3:15–17 Paul draws from Isa. 59:7–8 to show how human history includes murder, war, and disorder.

Rom. 3:18 The root cause of sin is failure to fear and honor God (Ps. 36:1).

Rom. 3:19–20 These verses represent the conclusion of vv. 9–18 and all of 1:18–3:20. All humans, without exception, are sinners.

Rom. 3:19 law. The Mosaic law.

Rom. 3:20 Works of the law means all that the law requires. Justified is a legal term meaning “declared righteous” (see note on Gal. 2:16).

Rom. 3:21–4:25 The Saving Righteousness of God. Paul now explains that people can have a right standing with God only through faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross.

Rom. 3:21 The righteousness of God has been shown now, in the period of salvation history that began with Jesus’ death and resurrection. On the righteousness of God, see note on 1:17. By God’s saving acts in Christ, humans may stand in the right before God, the divine judge. apart from the law. Righteousness is not based on obeying the law. Yet the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it. The OT Scriptures looked forward to salvation through Christ (see 1:2).

Rom. 3:24 The word redemption recalls the exodus and the blood of the Passover lamb (see Exodus 12–15; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). On justification, see note on Gal. 2:16.

Rom. 3:25 Jesus’ blood “propitiated” or satisfied God’s wrath (1:18). Thus he could forgive sinners while also maintaining his holiness. Some scholars argue that the word propitiation should be translated expiation (the wiping away of sin), but the word refers to the satisfaction of God’s wrath, turning it from wrath to favor. God’s righteous anger needed to be satisfied before sin could be forgiven. God in his love sent his Son to meet the demands of God’s holy anger against sin. God’s justice was questioned because he had patiently overlooked former sins. But Paul says that God knew Christ’s death would happen, where the full payment for the guilt of sin would be made.

Rom. 3:26 In the cross of Christ, God has shown himself to be just (utterly holy, so that the penalty demanded by the law is not removed but is paid by Christ). He is also the justifier of all those who trust in Jesus. That is, he provides the means of justification and declares people to be in right standing with himself. Here is the heart of the Christian faith, for at the cross God’s justice and love meet.

Rom. 3:27 The word law in this verse probably means principle, though some think it refers to the OT law.

Rom. 3:28 Justification is by faith alone, apart from . . . the law. It does not depend at all on doing any works of the law.

Rom. 3:29–30 Since God is the Lord of all, whether Jews or Gentiles, there can be only one way of justification—by faith.

Rom. 3:31 Although Paul supports the lasting moral teachings of the law (uphold), he knows that some will accuse him of abandoning it (overthrow). He will defend himself against such charges in chs. 6–7.