But there is another expression in the text which stands at the
beginning of this tract: "For therein [in the gospel] is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith." This expression has been the subject of much learned
discussion by theologians, and very few of them are agreed as to its meaning. The fact that learned men are disagreed in
regard to it, need not frighten us from it with the thought that it cannot be
understood, for we [11]
read that things hidden from the
wise and prudent are revealed unto babes. If we are but simple enough to
accept the obvious Scripture meaning, as explained by the Scriptures, we need
not be in darkness.
One of the greatest causes of the failure of many people to understand
the book of Romans, and indeed, any other portion of Scripture, is a failure to hold to first principles
and Bible definitions. Men attempt to define some terms according to their
theological training, and find it hard work to make them fit. Then if they at one time accept the Bible
definition of the term, they do not adhere to it, but give it some other
meaning the next time they meet with it.
This can lead to nothing else
but confusion.
The cause of the difficulty in understanding this text is a failure to
cling to the Bible definition of the term, "the righteousness of
God." We have already seen that it is an expression indicating God's
character, and that His character is set forth in the ten commandments. They
sum up the whole duty of man, which is to be like God. Eccl. 12:13, 14; James
2:8, 12. The law, having been transgressed, cannot, as a matter of course, be
perfectly represented in any person's life, so the gospel was devised that man
might in Christ find the perfect righteousness of the law. The gospel is the
power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, because it makes
manifest the righteousness of God. Not only is the law—the righteousness of
God—preached, and its majesty upheld, by the gospel, but by the gospel the
fruits of righteousness are made to appear in the life of the believer.
Some would make
"righteousness of God" in this [12] text synonymous with
"justification." That is all right, if they do not limit the
application of the text to the moment of justification from past transgression.
It is the application of the law in Christ to the life of the transgressor that
justifies him. Through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, God by His
grace counts the past life of the sinner who believes as though it had been in
every respect in accord with His law. Rom. 3:25. This is justification. It is
the revelation, or manifestation, through the gospel, of the righteousness of
God. Rom. 3:21, 22. But the text says that this is "revealed from faith to
faith;" and this can mean nothing else but a progressive work of righteousness.
The verse teaches that the righteousness of God is revealed from one degree of
faith to a higher degree of faith, and consequently that righteousness must
ever be on the increase. This is shown by the quotation which the apostle makes
to prove his statement. It must be that the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith, he argues, because it is written, "The just shall
live by faith."
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