n this episode, I walk through Romans 3:27-31. Paul continues his thoughts from Romans 3:21-26 by explaining that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith alone. It was very common for people to question whether or not the Gentiles were included in this new covenant with God. Was justification through Jesus only available to the Jews?

“Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.” Verse 27

Paul is insistent that there is no grounds for humanity to boast in themselves for they cannot save themselves. It is only by faith in Jesus Christ can someone be justified. This is crucial idea that Paul will continue to expound on in Romans as well as his other letters. Why is our boasting excluded? It is because of the law of faith. It is faith that justifies just like Abraham was justified through faith before the Law was given.

“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Verse 28.

We believe that a person is justified by faith alone not by their own doing. Paul is showing, once again, no one can obtain salvation outside of faith in Jesus. There is simply no one good enough to meet the perfect standards of the law. Paul is saying that we believe, hold true, that one is justified by faith alone.

“Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one— who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” Verses 29-30

God justifies both the Jews and the Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ. It is incredibly important to note how revolutionary this idea was in this time and place. For Christianity to say that the God of Abraham, Moses, and David is the God who not just justifies the Jewish people through faith but to go a step farther and say that all people are justified through faith. This was a really big deal. As Paul previously claimed that Jews and Gentiles were guilty for their sin, he now claims that both can be justified through faith.

“Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” Verse 31

The law of faith does not overthrow the Law. The law of faith actually predates the law and serves as the foundation for which the Law was given. It has always been faith that justifies as seen in the story of Abraham in which Paul will explain more in depth in the chapters to come. Paul is trying to show the reader that faith is not in contradiction with the Old Covenant but rather that Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant and brought about the New Covenant which overs salvation to anyone who believes in Him.

In summary, Romans 3:27-31 is a powerful passage in which Paul shows that justification is for all who have faith through Jesus. It does not matter Jewish or Gentile, all are now justified through faith and faith alone. In the upcoming chapters, we will see Paul go more in depth to explain the law of faith and grace that comes through Jesus Christ.