Romans 3:26

26 And to make clear his righteousness now, so that he might himself be upright, and give righteousness to him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:26 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 3:26

To declare, I say, at this time, his righteousness
This end is further explained, it being to declare the righteousness of God "at this time", under the Gospel dispensation; in which there was such a display of the grace, mercy, and goodness of God:

that he might be just;
that is, appear to be so: God is naturally and essentially just in himself; and he is evidentially so in all his works, particularly in redemption by Christ; and when and while he is

the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus:
Jesus, the Saviour, is the object of faith, as he is the Lord our righteousness; the believer in Jesus is a real, and not a nominal one; God is the justifier of such in a declarative way, and God only, though not to the exclusion of the Son and Spirit; and which sentence of justification is pronounced by him on the foot of a perfect righteousness, which neither law nor justice can find fault with, but entirely approve of; and so he appears just and righteous, even though he justifies the sinner and the ungodly.

Romans 3:26 In-Context

24 And they may have righteousness put to their credit, freely, by his grace, through the salvation which is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God has put forward as the sign of his mercy, through faith, by his blood, to make clear his righteousness when, in his pity, God let the sins of earlier times go without punishment;

26 And to make clear his righteousness now, so that he might himself be upright, and give righteousness to him who has faith in Jesus.

27 What reason, then, is there for pride? It is shut out. By what sort of law? of works? No, but by a law of faith.

28 For this reason, then, a man may get righteousness by faith without the works of the law.