Romans 3:22

22 This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

Romans 3:22 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
English Standard Version (ESV)
22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
The Message Bible (MSG)
22 The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this.
American Standard Version (ASV)
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
22 Everyone who believes has God's approval through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no difference between people.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
22 -that is, God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
22 We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. That happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for anyone else.

Romans 3:22 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 3:22

Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus
Christ
A further account is given of this righteousness: why it is called "the righteousness of God", and in what sense revealed and manifested, (See Gill on Romans 1:17); Here it is said to be "by faith of Jesus Christ"; not by that faith which Christ himself had as man, but by that faith, of which he the author and object: the Alexandrian copy reads, "by faith in Jesus Christ"; and not by that as the cause of justification; for faith is neither the efficient, nor the moving, nor meritorious cause of it; no, nor the instrumental cause of it on the part of God or Christ: nor is faith the matter of a justifying righteousness; for faith is a part of sanctification, is itself imperfect, is a man's own, as it is implanted in him, and exercised by him; is here and elsewhere distinguished from righteousness; something else, and not that, as the obedience and blood of Christ, are said to be what men are made righteous and justified by: but faith is a means of apprehending and receiving righteousness; it views the excellency of Christ's righteousness; it owns the sufficiency of it; the soul by it renounces its own righteousness, submits to Christ's, rejoices in it, and gives him the glory of it: now this is by, or through faith,

unto all, and upon all:
not all men, for all have not faith, nor are all justified and saved: but

all that believe;
which must be understood, not of believing any thing, nor of any sort of believing; but of such, who truly and with the heart believe in Christ for salvation; and who are here opposed to the wise philosophers among the Gentiles, had to all self-righteous persons among the Jews. Though this character does not design any cause or condition of justification, but is only descriptive of the persons, who are declaratively interested in a justifying righteousness, which is said to be "unto", and "upon them"; that is, it is appointed, provided, and wrought out for them, and directed and applied unto them, and put upon them as a garment, and that upon all of them:

for there is no difference;
of nation, age, or sex, or of state and condition; no respect is had to persons or works; nor is there any difference with respect to weak or strong believers; the righteousness is equally applied to one as to another, and one is as much justified by it in the sight of God as another.

Romans 3:22 In-Context

20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Romans 1:17
  • 2. S Romans 9:30
  • 3. Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:22
  • 4. S John 3:15; Romans 4:11; Romans 10:4
  • 5. Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "through the faithfulness of"
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