6 For while we were still weak [meaning lack of moral strength], at the right time Christ died for the ungodly [all of us]. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [At its best, human love will motivate one to give his life for a truly good person. Jesus, sent by God, did not die for truly good people but for rebellio

Peace with God Through Faith [In this next section, Paul invites us to join him in celebrating the excellent benefits given to the justified believer.] 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith [which is a summation of the central teaching of chapters 1-4], we have peace [the well-being, prosperity, and salvation of godly people] with God [peace characterizes our outward relationship with God; it is not that we feel good inside, e.g., “I’m at peace with the world tod

The Promise Realized Through Faith [Paul introduces another idea regarding faith and law] 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law [given 430 years later] but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void [because the law came after Abraham]. 15 For [what] the law [does is that it] brings wrath [and cannot secure

Father Abraham [In Romans 4 Paul appeals to Abraham ( in Genesis 15:6, “Abraham believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness”) to support his insistence that righteousness can be attained only through faith.] Abraham Justified by Faith 1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? [A rhetorical question used to introduce the next stage of Paul’s argument in justification. The Jews of the day used Abraham as an example

Martin Luther The Righteousness of God Through Faith Continued 27 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. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. [Faith alone saves us, not our works.] 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised t

St. Augustine The Righteousness of God Through Faith 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law [Augustine writes “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested; that is, God imparts righteousness to the believer by the Spirit of grace without the work of the law, or without the help of the law”], although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it [Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:27; Habakkuk 2:4] —22 the righteousness of God thro

No One Is Righteous Continued 19 Now we know that whatever the law [the Old Testament in general] says it speaks to those who are under the law [Jews], so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. [No one, whether Jew or Gentile, has grounds for appeal; none can claim to be guilt free before God. We need to be silent before the Lord with stopped mouths, not extolling ourselves for our good works but acknowledging we are lost sinners.

No One Is Righteous 9 What then? Are we [Paul puts himself in the mix] Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin [although the Jews have an advantage, they are not better off as they stand before God], 10 as it is written: [This is a common NT way of appealing to OT scriptures. The verses below, strung together, stress the universal reign of sin and the consequent depravity and condemnation of all mankind—Je

God's Righteousness Upheld [Paul shows that the Jews have an advantage over the Gentiles but that both need Christ’s grace.] 1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? [Paul imagines someone breaking into his argument to ask these questions. Paul has said that biology and a literal circumcision do not make one a Jew. Circumcision, however, is an advantage when one believes in the promises of God, for it is the mark of a true receiver of and beli

God's Judgment and the Law Continued 17 But if you call yourself a Jew [being proud of being a member of the chosen] and rely on the law [given to you at Sinai as a “get out of jail free card”] and boast in God [in a monopoly of monotheism] 18 and know his will [insider information] and approve what is excellent [as you set divine standards], because you are instructed from the law [and you cannot be wrong!]; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind [