Romans 3 26

Romans 3:26 kjv

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

Romans 3:26 nkjv

to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:26 niv

he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:26 esv

It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:26 nlt

for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Romans 3 verses

Romans 3 26 Meaning

Romans 3:26 unveils the profound divine strategy by which God upholds His own righteousness while simultaneously declaring sinners righteous through faith in Jesus. It explains that the present time, marked by Christ's atoning work, is God's perfect opportunity to visibly demonstrate His unchanging justice and integrity. Through the propitiation in Christ's blood, God has effectively shown that He is absolutely just, never condoning sin, and yet, in His great mercy, He is able to justify – to reckon as righteous – anyone who believes in Jesus, not on the basis of their own works, but purely by faith. This verse encapsulates the magnificent paradox of divine justice and mercy perfectly reconciled at the cross.

Romans 3 26 Context

Romans 3:26 appears as the climax of Paul's extended argument about human sinfulness and God's saving righteousness. The preceding verses (3:21-25) reveal the core of the Gospel: God's righteousness, distinct from the Law, is now manifest through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike. Verse 25 specifically introduces Christ's atoning death as the "propitiation," the means by which God publicly demonstrated His righteousness, especially in passing over sins committed beforehand. Verse 26, then, clarifies the purpose of this divine act: to powerfully exhibit God's justice and His power to justify. The historical context includes Jewish expectation of a Messiah, their emphasis on the Law for righteousness, and the prevalence of a works-based understanding of salvation among many. Paul is actively polemicizing against the idea that humans can earn salvation or justify themselves before God through ritual or moral performance. Instead, he presents a radically new (yet biblically rooted) way for God to maintain His holy character while dealing with a sinful humanity.

Romans 3 26 Word analysis

• to show (Greek: endeixis - ἔνδειξιν): Implies a powerful and public demonstration, a conclusive evidence or proof. It's not just a subtle hint, but a clear, overt display for all to perceive. God is revealing something foundational about His character.
• His righteousness (Greek: tēn dikaiosynēn autou - τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ): Refers to God's attribute of being just and conforming to His own perfect standards of holiness. It encompasses His rectitude, integrity, and His saving justice. It's His consistent nature that cannot simply overlook sin without compromising His divine character. This is central to Paul's theology; God does not compromise Himself.
• at the present time (Greek: en tō nyn kairō - ἐν τῷ νῦν καιρῷ): Refers to this specific, opportune moment in salvation history, the era ushered in by Christ's advent and death. This "now" contrasts with the previous period where God, in His forbearance, "passed over" former sins (Rom 3:25). The cross marks the definitive revelation.
• so that He might be just (Greek: dikaion - δίκαιον): This refers to God Himself. It emphasizes His essential nature. He must be, and is seen to be, holy and without fault in dealing with sin. He doesn't compromise His justice by justifying the ungodly; rather, He magnifies it by providing the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ.
• and the justifier (Greek: dikaiounta - δικαιοῦντα): From dikaioō, meaning "to declare righteous," "to acquit," "to treat as righteous." It's a legal, declarative act, not a transformation of character in itself (though that follows in sanctification). God takes a person who is objectively guilty and legally pronounces them "not guilty" or "righteous" based on Christ's work.
• of the one who has faith (Greek: ton ek pisteōs - τὸν ἐκ πίστεως): Literally, "the one out of faith" or "the one who originates from faith." This emphasizes faith as the singular condition and source of a person's justification, distinguishing it sharply from any reliance on works of the Law. It highlights that the relationship begins from a foundation of trust.
• in Jesus: Specifically names Jesus Christ as the object and ground of this saving faith. It is not a general spirituality or belief in God, but a specific, personal trust in the person and finished work of Jesus of Nazareth.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "It was to show His righteousness at the present time": This phrase highlights God's initiative and intentionality. The crucifixion of Jesus was not an accidental event but God's deliberate, public revelation of how His righteous nature can be maintained even as He offers forgiveness to sinners. The "present time" refers to the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and types through Christ. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over history and His unwavering commitment to His holy character.
• "so that He might be just and the justifier": This is the core paradox solved by the cross. God cannot simply overlook sin, for that would make Him unjust (i.e., condoning sin). However, He also desires to save. The cross allows God to condemn sin in Christ (Rom 8:3), thus satisfying the demands of His justice, while simultaneously declaring righteous those who place their faith in Christ's completed work. He maintains His holiness ("just") and acts in grace ("justifier"). This is not God being lenient, but God being holy in the most profound way.
• "of the one who has faith in Jesus": This identifies the recipient of this justification. It's not for everyone automatically, but specifically for those who trust in Jesus. The emphasis on "faith" underscores that human works or merit are utterly excluded. Faith is the instrument through which God's saving righteousness is received. This phrase makes clear the path to righteousness is singular and exclusive—through Christ, received by faith.

Romans 3 26 Bonus section

The term dikaiosynē theou (righteousness of God) throughout Romans (especially 1:17, 3:21, 3:22, 3:25-26, 10:3) carries multiple nuances: it's both an attribute of God (His inherent justice) and a saving act or status bestowed by God. In Romans 3:26, it signifies God's justice in action—His demonstration that He can maintain His righteous character while justly declaring sinful humanity righteous. This theological concept was a significant departure from common human understanding of justice, which often struggles to reconcile strict retribution with grace. Paul’s revelation points to a justice that both condemns and redeems, achieved perfectly through Christ. The precise legal language used by Paul (justification, acquittal) highlights the courtroom dynamic where humanity stands condemned, and God acts as the Judge who simultaneously condemns sin and justifies the sinner through a specific provision—Jesus' atoning death. This demonstration silences all claims that God is either unjust for overlooking past sins, or weak for not condemning them, or capricious for suddenly deciding to save. Instead, the cross proclaims His steadfast righteousness.

Romans 3 26 Commentary

Romans 3:26 encapsulates the brilliant divine wisdom inherent in the cross. Humanity's great dilemma was sin, leaving all deserving of condemnation (Rom 3:23). God, being perfectly just, could not simply overlook or excuse sin without compromising His own holy character. To declare sinful humanity righteous required a solution that honored His justice fully. The answer is Christ's propitiatory sacrifice on the cross. By accepting Christ's death as the payment for sin, God "demonstrated" (Rom 3:25) and "showed" (Rom 3:26) His righteousness.

This means God, by exacting the full penalty for sin on His own Son, proved that sin must be dealt with according to His righteous standard. Thus, He remained absolutely "just" even while "justifying" the ungodly. The cross wasn't God suspending His justice but perfectly executing it on the sin-bearer, Jesus. Now, those who "have faith in Jesus" are freely declared righteous by God, not because of anything good in themselves, but solely because they are united to Christ by faith, and His righteousness is imputed to them. This marvelous divine transaction, therefore, upholds God's perfect justice and displays His immeasurable grace, providing the only pathway for sinful humanity to stand before a holy God.

Practical usage:

• Understanding that salvation is entirely God's work, freeing believers from striving to earn acceptance.
• Highlighting God's uncompromising holiness and the severity of sin, emphasizing the great cost of our salvation.
• Assuring believers of their secure standing before God through Christ's perfect righteousness, fostering peace and gratitude.