Category: Understanding Romans
The Old Testament contained the Law which condemned the Jews, but it also adumbrated a time when God would disclose another means of justification besides the Law. That time, says the apostle, is now. Now, with the coming of Christ Jesus, justification by faith is revealed. This is good news for Gentiles, too, because all men are in need of a means of justification apart from their obedience. While Jesus was on the cross, He suffered the wrath of God on behalf of every believer, both B.C. and A.D. With sins taken care of, God is propitious toward those who have faith, and He graciously pronounces them "just."
But now the righteousness of God has been made known without the Law (although the Law and the Prophets alluded to it), specifically, the righteousness of God which comes by means of faith in Jesus Christ for everyone who believes. There is no difference, every Jew and every Gentile has missed the mark and comes short of the glory of God. This justification is a gift motivated only by God's grace, and it comes, not from keeping the Law, but through the ransom which was paid by Christ Jesus. God had Jesus crucified publicly, and His blood satisfies the wrath of God and places men and women into a favorable relationship with God. How does one enter into this conciliatory relationship? Through believing the gospel. By punishing Jesus, God demonstrates His justice, because He overlooked sins committed by believers who lived prior to the death of Christ, He withheld His anger toward them, until now, the proper time, when He exhibited His righteous indignation. In the gospel, God shows Himself to be just and the justifier of the one who trusts in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26, extended paraphrase)