In Rom. 1:18-3:20, Paul proves the fact that all humans, Jews and Gentiles, are totally depraved. Before he further elaborates the righteousness of God, he first illustrates the reality of human predicament. Otherwise, there is no need for the necessity of the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. The following macro-structure of Rom. 1:16-3:26 helps us understand Paul’s rhetorical strategy in his letter:[1]
A The gospel reveals the righteousness of God (1:16-17)
B The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven (1:18-3:20)
A’ The righteousness of God has been manifested in Christ’s saving death apart from the law (3:21-26)
Human predicament is sandwiched by the righteousness of God. In other words, it’s impossible to understand and solve the human plight apart from God’s own righteousness that “has been manifested apart from the law (3:21a). Then Paul immediately adds, “although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it (3:21b). The righteousness of God in Christ does not depend on the law. What Paul is trying to say is that no one can attain God’s own righteousness by obeying the law, “for by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight” (3:20a). But the law and the prophets witness to the righteousness of God. “This is why Paul will insist that the faith that the gospel proposes does not nullify the law but confirms it (3:31).”[2]
Paul then continues, “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (3:22a, ESV). “Through faith in Jesus Christ” is taken as an objective genitive. Many commentators prefer a subjective genitive, which is “the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ” (New English Translation). No matter whether it’s “through faith in Jesus Christ” or “through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ”, the important thing is that the gospel of the righteousness of God in Christ is a gift and a demand. It’s a gift because the gospel is freely given to us. It’s a demand because it requires a response. Paul adds, “for all who believe” (3:22b). “It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (1:16). In order that the saving effects of that righteousness are available to us, we must believe.
Such believing involves participation: we participate in Christ’s death and resurrection (6:1-11). By nature, faith is participatory. To believe in Christ is to be united to Christ. Once we are united with Christ, we are imputed to God’s righteousness in Christ and continuous to cultivate a righteous living with the empowerment of the Spirit who is our sanctifying agent in the process of sanctification. Its end is eternal life (6:22).
No comments:
Post a Comment