For the past six months I have been writing a book on Romans. At times, I have felt like I was in the house of Gaius listening to Paul dictate his letter.

Imagine what that would have been like. Imagine hearing Romans for the very first time.

I can see Paul pacing the room and preaching like a man on fire. I see Tertius, the scribe, recording Paul’s words as fast. Seated around the room and listening intently are Paul’s Jewish friends, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (see Rom. 16:21–23).

And I wonder how they reacted when Paul got to this bit:

Paul (dictating): “For I am not ashamed of the gospel… for in it the righteousness of God is revealed…” (Rom. 1:16–17)

Lucius: “What? I’m sorry to interrupt Paul, but are you saying the gospel reveals God’s righteousness? Like it was a secret? Do I need to remind you that we Jews have been praising God’s righteousness for centuries?”

Jason: “We sing songs about it. (Sings) ‘Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens’” (Ps. 71:19).

Paul: “Let me ask you – how do you know that God is righteous?”

Lucius: “The Law of Moses shows us God’s standard of righteousness and how he expects us to live.”

Paul: “How is that working out for you?”

Lucius: “Not well. We Jews have never been able to keep the law. In truth, the law is better at revealing our unrighteousness.”

Paul: “Uh-huh. The law reveals one kind of righteousness, but it’s not the kind that God has. The law condemns sinners, but God justifies sinners. So let me ask you again: how do you know that God is righteous?”

Jason: “Well… er… we just know.”

Paul: “How do you know that God is good and not bad? How do you know that he is faithful and not unfaithful?”

Sosipater: “Because of the promises God made to Abraham and the patriarchs.”

Jason: “Yes, those!

Paul: “What promises?”

Sosipater: “Oh, there were lots. God promised to bless the world through Abraham’s offspring.”

Jason: “He promised to send a Messiah to deliver us.”

Lucius: “And he promised to forgive our sins and give us new hearts.”

Paul: “So these promises hinted at the righteousness of God?”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: “Yes!”

Paul: “Don’t you see? All those wonderful promises have been fulfilled through his Son, Jesus Christ. This is what the gospel of God reveals, and this is news – good news.”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: (Looking thoughtful) Hmm.

Paul: “Lucius, you said the law reveals our unrighteousness, and I agree. The law inflames sin and condemns us (Rom. 7:8–13). For this reason, I maintain that ‘the law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God’ (Rom. 3:21).”

Lucius: “Whew.”

Paul: “But here’s the best part: ‘Our unrighteousness demonstrates God’s righteousness’ (Rom. 3:25).

Lucius: “Say, what now?”

Paul: “If we were good and righteous, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23). That’s the bad news. The good news is that God loves us, and he keeps his promises. He has a plan for saving us and restoring creation. You might say that our unrighteousness provides him with an opportunity to reveal his righteousness.”

Jason: “And that’s why the Messiah came.”

Paul: “Yes! ‘The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God’ (Rom. 3:25–26). It displays God’s justice (toward sin) and his mercy (toward sinners). This is why I preach Christ crucified. The cross may be foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews, but if you can receive it, it reveals the righteousness of God.”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: “Hallelujah!”

Paul: “The Gospel reveals God’s faithfulness, and if you can receive it by faith, you will be enveloped in the righteousness of God, made new, and adopted into his family.”

Sosipater: “You should definitely put this in your letter.”

Paul: “Oh, I plan to.”

—

For the past six months I have been writing a book on Romans. At times, I have felt like I was in the house of Gaius listening to Paul dictate his letter.

Imagine what that would have been like. Imagine hearing Romans for the very first time.

I can see Paul pacing the room and preaching like a man on fire. I see Tertius, the scribe, recording Paul’s words as fast. Seated around the room and listening intently are Paul’s Jewish friends, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (see Rom. 16:21–23).

And I wonder how they reacted when Paul got to this bit:

Paul (dictating): “For I am not ashamed of the gospel… for in it the righteousness of God is revealed…” (Rom. 1:16–17)

Lucius: “What? I’m sorry to interrupt Paul, but are you saying the gospel reveals God’s righteousness? Like it was a secret? Do I need to remind you that we Jews have been praising God’s righteousness for centuries?”

Jason: “We sing songs about it. (Sings) ‘Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens’” (Ps. 71:19).

Paul: “Let me ask you – how do you know that God is righteous?”

Lucius: “The Law of Moses shows us God’s standard of righteousness and how he expects us to live.”

Paul: “How is that working out for you?”

Lucius: “Not well. We Jews have never been able to keep the law. In truth, the law is better at revealing our unrighteousness.”

Paul: “Uh-huh. The law reveals one kind of righteousness, but it’s not the kind that God has. The law condemns sinners, but God justifies sinners. So let me ask you again: how do you know that God is righteous?”

Jason: “Well… er… we just know.”

Paul: “How do you know that God is good and not bad? How do you know that he is faithful and not unfaithful?”

Sosipater: “Because of the promises God made to Abraham and the patriarchs.”

Jason: “Yes, those!

Paul: “What promises?”

Sosipater: “Oh, there were lots. God promised to bless the world through Abraham’s offspring.”

Jason: “He promised to send a Messiah to deliver us.”

Lucius: “And he promised to forgive our sins and give us new hearts.”

Paul: “So these promises hinted at the righteousness of God?”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: “Yes!”

Paul: “Don’t you see? All those wonderful promises have been fulfilled through his Son, Jesus Christ. This is what the gospel of God reveals, and this is news – good news.”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: (Looking thoughtful) Hmm.

Paul: “Lucius, you said the law reveals our unrighteousness, and I agree. The law inflames sin and condemns us (Rom. 7:8–13). For this reason, I maintain that ‘the law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God’ (Rom. 3:21).”

Lucius: “Whew.”

Paul: “But here’s the best part: ‘Our unrighteousness demonstrates God’s righteousness’ (Rom. 3:25).

Lucius: “Say, what now?”

Paul: “If we were good and righteous, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23). That’s the bad news. The good news is that God loves us, and he keeps his promises. He has a plan for saving us and restoring creation. You might say that our unrighteousness provides him with an opportunity to reveal his righteousness.”

Jason: “And that’s why the Messiah came.”

Paul: “Yes! ‘The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God’ (Rom. 3:25–26). It displays God’s justice (toward sin) and his mercy (toward sinners). This is why I preach Christ crucified. The cross may be foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews, but if you can receive it, it reveals the righteousness of God.”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: “Hallelujah!”

Paul: “The Gospel reveals God’s faithfulness, and if you can receive it by faith, you will be enveloped in the righteousness of God, made new, and adopted into his family.”

Sosipater: “You should definitely put this in your letter.”

Paul: “Oh, I plan to.”

—

For the past six months I have been writing a book on Romans. At times, I have felt like I was in the house of Gaius listening to Paul dictate his letter.

Imagine what that would have been like. Imagine hearing Romans for the very first time.

I can see Paul pacing the room and preaching like a man on fire. I see Tertius, the scribe, recording Paul’s words as fast. Seated around the room and listening intently are Paul’s Jewish friends, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (see Rom. 16:21–23).

And I wonder how they reacted when Paul got to this bit:

Paul (dictating): “For I am not ashamed of the gospel… for in it the righteousness of God is revealed…” (Rom. 1:16–17)

Lucius: “What? I’m sorry to interrupt Paul, but are you saying the gospel reveals God’s righteousness? Like it was a secret? Do I need to remind you that we Jews have been praising God’s righteousness for centuries?”

Jason: “We sing songs about it. (Sings) ‘Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens’” (Ps. 71:19).

Paul: “Let me ask you – how do you know that God is righteous?”

Lucius: “The Law of Moses shows us God’s standard of righteousness and how he expects us to live.”

Paul: “How is that working out for you?”

Lucius: “Not well. We Jews have never been able to keep the law. In truth, the law is better at revealing our unrighteousness.”

Paul: “Uh-huh. The law reveals one kind of righteousness, but it’s not the kind that God has. The law condemns sinners, but God justifies sinners. So let me ask you again: how do you know that God is righteous?”

Jason: “Well… er… we just know.”

Paul: “How do you know that God is good and not bad? How do you know that he is faithful and not unfaithful?”

Sosipater: “Because of the promises God made to Abraham and the patriarchs.”

Jason: “Yes, those!

Paul: “What promises?”

Sosipater: “Oh, there were lots. God promised to bless the world through Abraham’s offspring.”

Jason: “He promised to send a Messiah to deliver us.”

Lucius: “And he promised to forgive our sins and give us new hearts.”

Paul: “So these promises hinted at the righteousness of God?”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: “Yes!”

Paul: “Don’t you see? All those wonderful promises have been fulfilled through his Son, Jesus Christ. This is what the gospel of God reveals, and this is news – good news.”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: (Looking thoughtful) Hmm.

Paul: “Lucius, you said the law reveals our unrighteousness, and I agree. The law inflames sin and condemns us (Rom. 7:8–13). For this reason, I maintain that ‘the law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God’ (Rom. 3:21).”

Lucius: “Whew.”

Paul: “But here’s the best part: ‘Our unrighteousness demonstrates God’s righteousness’ (Rom. 3:25).

Lucius: “Say, what now?”

Paul: “If we were good and righteous, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23). That’s the bad news. The good news is that God loves us, and he keeps his promises. He has a plan for saving us and restoring creation. You might say that our unrighteousness provides him with an opportunity to reveal his righteousness.”

Jason: “And that’s why the Messiah came.”

Paul: “Yes! ‘The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God’ (Rom. 3:25–26). It displays God’s justice (toward sin) and his mercy (toward sinners). This is why I preach Christ crucified. The cross may be foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews, but if you can receive it, it reveals the righteousness of God.”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: “Hallelujah!”

Paul: “The Gospel reveals God’s faithfulness, and if you can receive it by faith, you will be enveloped in the righteousness of God, made new, and adopted into his family.”

Sosipater: “You should definitely put this in your letter.”

Paul: “Oh, I plan to.”

—

For the past six months I have been writing a book on Romans. At times, I have felt like I was in the house of Gaius listening to Paul dictate his letter.

Imagine what that would have been like. Imagine hearing Romans for the very first time.

I can see Paul pacing the room and preaching like a man on fire. I see Tertius, the scribe, recording Paul’s words as fast. Seated around the room and listening intently are Paul’s Jewish friends, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (see Rom. 16:21–23).

And I wonder how they reacted when Paul got to this bit:

Paul (dictating): “For I am not ashamed of the gospel… for in it the righteousness of God is revealed…” (Rom. 1:16–17)

Lucius: “What? I’m sorry to interrupt Paul, but are you saying the gospel reveals God’s righteousness? Like it was a secret? Do I need to remind you that we Jews have been praising God’s righteousness for centuries?”

Jason: “We sing songs about it. (Sings) ‘Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens’” (Ps. 71:19).

Paul: “Let me ask you – how do you know that God is righteous?”

Lucius: “The Law of Moses shows us God’s standard of righteousness and how he expects us to live.”

Paul: “How is that working out for you?”

Lucius: “Not well. We Jews have never been able to keep the law. In truth, the law is better at revealing our unrighteousness.”

Paul: “Uh-huh. The law reveals one kind of righteousness, but it’s not the kind that God has. The law condemns sinners, but God justifies sinners. So let me ask you again: how do you know that God is righteous?”

Jason: “Well… er… we just know.”

Paul: “How do you know that God is good and not bad? How do you know that he is faithful and not unfaithful?”

Sosipater: “Because of the promises God made to Abraham and the patriarchs.”

Jason: “Yes, those!

Paul: “What promises?”

Sosipater: “Oh, there were lots. God promised to bless the world through Abraham’s offspring.”

Jason: “He promised to send a Messiah to deliver us.”

Lucius: “And he promised to forgive our sins and give us new hearts.”

Paul: “So these promises hinted at the righteousness of God?”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: “Yes!”

Paul: “Don’t you see? All those wonderful promises have been fulfilled through his Son, Jesus Christ. This is what the gospel of God reveals, and this is news – good news.”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: (Looking thoughtful) Hmm.

Paul: “Lucius, you said the law reveals our unrighteousness, and I agree. The law inflames sin and condemns us (Rom. 7:8–13). For this reason, I maintain that ‘the law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God’ (Rom. 3:21).”

Lucius: “Whew.”

Paul: “But here’s the best part: ‘Our unrighteousness demonstrates God’s righteousness’ (Rom. 3:25).

Lucius: “Say, what now?”

Paul: “If we were good and righteous, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23). That’s the bad news. The good news is that God loves us, and he keeps his promises. He has a plan for saving us and restoring creation. You might say that our unrighteousness provides him with an opportunity to reveal his righteousness.”

Jason: “And that’s why the Messiah came.”

Paul: “Yes! ‘The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God’ (Rom. 3:25–26). It displays God’s justice (toward sin) and his mercy (toward sinners). This is why I preach Christ crucified. The cross may be foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews, but if you can receive it, it reveals the righteousness of God.”

Lucius/Jason/Sosipater: “Hallelujah!”

Paul: “The Gospel reveals God’s faithfulness, and if you can receive it by faith, you will be enveloped in the righteousness of God, made new, and adopted into his family.”

Sosipater: “You should definitely put this in your letter.”

Paul: “Oh, I plan to.”

—

Here is the most important paragraph in the most important letter ever written:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

The revealing of God’s righteousness is just about the greatest thing that ever happened. But what is “the righteousness of God,” and how was it revealed?

The righteousness of God revealed

I used to think the “righteousness of God” referred to God’s righteous character. Just as God is holy and wise, he is righteous and just. That is not what Paul is talking about here. Not exactly.

Note that Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In other words, before the gospel nobody really knew about the righteousness of God. When the psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament wrote about the righteousness of God (e.g., Psalm 71:19, 98:2, Is. 42:21), they didn’t have the complete picture.

So what is the complete picture?

After I began to understand grace, I saw this verse as referring to the gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, Paul says, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life” (verse 17). Giving righteousness is one way that God reveals his righteousness.

But again that is not the full picture.

What is the righteousness of God?

In Romans 1:17, the righteousness of God refers to his faithfulness in keeping his promises to make things right.

If God does nothing, he remains 100 percent righteous and just. But God has done something that reveals his righteousness – he has fulfilled all his promises in a way that demonstrates his faithfulness, justice, and mercy.

It’s all about the promises.

In the Old Testament, God promised to help, heal, and deliver us. These are the “I wills of God,” those things he has committed to do to save a world ravaged by sin.

Here’s a quick look at some of God’s promises:

• God to Adam: “It is not good for humanity to be alone. I will make a Helper” (Gen. 2:18).
• God to the devil: “There will be enmity between you and the woman, and her Seed shall crush you” (Gen. 3:15).
• God to Abraham: “Through your Seed all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
• God to David: “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession” (Ps. 2:8).
• God to Israel: “I will remember your sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). “I will put my Spirit in you and give you a new heart” (Eze. 36:25–26).

The gospel reveals that these promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the Helper who comes to the aid of humanity. He is the Seed that crushes Satan’s head and blesses the nations. He is the King who bears our sins and gives us his Spirit.

To recap:

• The Old Testament: “God will help, heal, and deliver us.”
• The Gospel: “God has done what he promised – see the cross!”

But that’s not all Paul says about the righteousness of God:

1. Our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:5)

If we were good and righteous, we would not need rescuing. If we could save ourselves, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous sinners, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23).

Enter, God. Because God is good, he has a plan for saving us. Because God is righteous, he makes sinners righteous (Rom. 4:5). Because he is faithful to his creation, he intends to restore all things (Col. 1:20). Our unrighteousness provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate his righteousness.

2. The law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21)

The law leads to self-righteousness; it does not reveal God’s righteousness.

If we could justify ourselves by keeping the law, we would not need God’s help. But no one can keep the law perfectly. Like a concrete life jacket, the law offers an illusion of safety while highlighting our captivity to sin.

3. The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25–26)

The cross of Christ reveals the Creator’s faithfulness to creation (Rom. 8:19–21). It displays his justice (toward sin; Rom. 3:25) and mercy (toward sinners; Rom. 11:32).

If Christ had never gone to the cross, we might wonder whether God cared about all the pain and suffering in the world. And if God had punished every sinner, we might wonder whether he cared about us. But through the cross, God declares, “I love you, and I am making things right.”

From faith to faith

Now we come to the last bit:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)

Note that the Greek words for “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same. Here is my paraphrase:

For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God (his plan to rescue us and restore creation) is revealed (made plain) from faith (the gospel reveals God’s faithfulness) to faith (and is received by faith).

The gospel reveals that God has done something unexpected and wonderful in fulfilling his promises. Through the cross, we see God’s love and faithfulness coming together like two great waves demolishing our prison of sin. We hear the thunderclaps of his justice and mercy shattering our bonds and setting us free.

The short version: You can have faith in God because the cross demonstrates his faithfulness to us and all creation.

—

Draft chapters of my forthcoming book on Romans are available now on Patreon:

Here is the most important paragraph in the most important letter ever written:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

The revealing of God’s righteousness is just about the greatest thing that ever happened. But what is “the righteousness of God,” and how was it revealed?

The righteousness of God revealed

I used to think the “righteousness of God” referred to God’s righteous character. Just as God is holy and wise, he is righteous and just. That is not what Paul is talking about here. Not exactly.

Note that Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In other words, before the gospel nobody really knew about the righteousness of God. When the psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament wrote about the righteousness of God (e.g., Psalm 71:19, 98:2, Is. 42:21), they didn’t have the complete picture.

So what is the complete picture?

After I began to understand grace, I saw this verse as referring to the gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, Paul says, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life” (verse 17). Giving righteousness is one way that God reveals his righteousness.

But again that is not the full picture.

What is the righteousness of God?

In Romans 1:17, the righteousness of God refers to his faithfulness in keeping his promises to make things right.

If God does nothing, he remains 100 percent righteous and just. But God has done something that reveals his righteousness – he has fulfilled all his promises in a way that demonstrates his faithfulness, justice, and mercy.

It’s all about the promises.

In the Old Testament, God promised to help, heal, and deliver us. These are the “I wills of God,” those things he has committed to do to save a world ravaged by sin.

Here’s a quick look at some of God’s promises:

• God to Adam: “It is not good for humanity to be alone. I will make a Helper” (Gen. 2:18).
• God to the devil: “There will be enmity between you and the woman, and her Seed shall crush you” (Gen. 3:15).
• God to Abraham: “Through your Seed all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
• God to David: “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession” (Ps. 2:8).
• God to Israel: “I will remember your sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). “I will put my Spirit in you and give you a new heart” (Eze. 36:25–26).

The gospel reveals that these promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the Helper who comes to the aid of humanity. He is the Seed that crushes Satan’s head and blesses the nations. He is the King who bears our sins and gives us his Spirit.

To recap:

• The Old Testament: “God will help, heal, and deliver us.”
• The Gospel: “God has done what he promised – see the cross!”

But that’s not all Paul says about the righteousness of God:

1. Our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:5)

If we were good and righteous, we would not need rescuing. If we could save ourselves, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous sinners, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23).

Enter, God. Because God is good, he has a plan for saving us. Because God is righteous, he makes sinners righteous (Rom. 4:5). Because he is faithful to his creation, he intends to restore all things (Col. 1:20). Our unrighteousness provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate his righteousness.

2. The law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21)

The law leads to self-righteousness; it does not reveal God’s righteousness.

If we could justify ourselves by keeping the law, we would not need God’s help. But no one can keep the law perfectly. Like a concrete life jacket, the law offers an illusion of safety while highlighting our captivity to sin.

3. The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25–26)

The cross of Christ reveals the Creator’s faithfulness to creation (Rom. 8:19–21). It displays his justice (toward sin; Rom. 3:25) and mercy (toward sinners; Rom. 11:32).

If Christ had never gone to the cross, we might wonder whether God cared about all the pain and suffering in the world. And if God had punished every sinner, we might wonder whether he cared about us. But through the cross, God declares, “I love you, and I am making things right.”

From faith to faith

Now we come to the last bit:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)

Note that the Greek words for “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same. Here is my paraphrase:

For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God (his plan to rescue us and restore creation) is revealed (made plain) from faith (the gospel reveals God’s faithfulness) to faith (and is received by faith).

The gospel reveals that God has done something unexpected and wonderful in fulfilling his promises. Through the cross, we see God’s love and faithfulness coming together like two great waves demolishing our prison of sin. We hear the thunderclaps of his justice and mercy shattering our bonds and setting us free.

The short version: You can have faith in God because the cross demonstrates his faithfulness to us and all creation.

—

Draft chapters of my forthcoming book on Romans are available now on Patreon:

Here is the most important paragraph in the most important letter ever written:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

The revealing of God’s righteousness is just about the greatest thing that ever happened. But what is “the righteousness of God,” and how was it revealed?

The righteousness of God revealed

I used to think the “righteousness of God” referred to God’s righteous character. Just as God is holy and wise, he is righteous and just. That is not what Paul is talking about here. Not exactly.

Note that Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In other words, before the gospel nobody really knew about the righteousness of God. When the psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament wrote about the righteousness of God (e.g., Psalm 71:19, 98:2, Is. 42:21), they didn’t have the complete picture.

So what is the complete picture?

After I began to understand grace, I saw this verse as referring to the gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, Paul says, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life” (verse 17). Giving righteousness is one way that God reveals his righteousness.

But again that is not the full picture.

What is the righteousness of God?

In Romans 1:17, the righteousness of God refers to his faithfulness in keeping his promises to make things right.

If God does nothing, he remains 100 percent righteous and just. But God has done something that reveals his righteousness – he has fulfilled all his promises in a way that demonstrates his faithfulness, justice, and mercy.

It’s all about the promises.

In the Old Testament, God promised to help, heal, and deliver us. These are the “I wills of God,” those things he has committed to do to save a world ravaged by sin.

Here’s a quick look at some of God’s promises:

• God to Adam: “It is not good for humanity to be alone. I will make a Helper” (Gen. 2:18).
• God to the devil: “There will be enmity between you and the woman, and her Seed shall crush you” (Gen. 3:15).
• God to Abraham: “Through your Seed all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
• God to David: “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession” (Ps. 2:8).
• God to Israel: “I will remember your sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). “I will put my Spirit in you and give you a new heart” (Eze. 36:25–26).

The gospel reveals that these promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the Helper who comes to the aid of humanity. He is the Seed that crushes Satan’s head and blesses the nations. He is the King who bears our sins and gives us his Spirit.

To recap:

• The Old Testament: “God will help, heal, and deliver us.”
• The Gospel: “God has done what he promised – see the cross!”

But that’s not all Paul says about the righteousness of God:

1. Our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:5)

If we were good and righteous, we would not need rescuing. If we could save ourselves, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous sinners, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23).

Enter, God. Because God is good, he has a plan for saving us. Because God is righteous, he makes sinners righteous (Rom. 4:5). Because he is faithful to his creation, he intends to restore all things (Col. 1:20). Our unrighteousness provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate his righteousness.

2. The law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21)

The law leads to self-righteousness; it does not reveal God’s righteousness.

If we could justify ourselves by keeping the law, we would not need God’s help. But no one can keep the law perfectly. Like a concrete life jacket, the law offers an illusion of safety while highlighting our captivity to sin.

3. The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25–26)

The cross of Christ reveals the Creator’s faithfulness to creation (Rom. 8:19–21). It displays his justice (toward sin; Rom. 3:25) and mercy (toward sinners; Rom. 11:32).

If Christ had never gone to the cross, we might wonder whether God cared about all the pain and suffering in the world. And if God had punished every sinner, we might wonder whether he cared about us. But through the cross, God declares, “I love you, and I am making things right.”

From faith to faith

Now we come to the last bit:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)

Note that the Greek words for “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same. Here is my paraphrase:

For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God (his plan to rescue us and restore creation) is revealed (made plain) from faith (the gospel reveals God’s faithfulness) to faith (and is received by faith).

The gospel reveals that God has done something unexpected and wonderful in fulfilling his promises. Through the cross, we see God’s love and faithfulness coming together like two great waves demolishing our prison of sin. We hear the thunderclaps of his justice and mercy shattering our bonds and setting us free.

The short version: You can have faith in God because the cross demonstrates his faithfulness to us and all creation.

—

Draft chapters of my forthcoming book on Romans are available now on Patreon:

Here is the most important paragraph in the most important letter ever written:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

The revealing of God’s righteousness is just about the greatest thing that ever happened. But what is “the righteousness of God,” and how was it revealed?

The righteousness of God revealed

I used to think the “righteousness of God” referred to God’s righteous character. Just as God is holy and wise, he is righteous and just. That is not what Paul is talking about here. Not exactly.

Note that Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In other words, before the gospel nobody really knew about the righteousness of God. When the psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament wrote about the righteousness of God (e.g., Psalm 71:19, 98:2, Is. 42:21), they didn’t have the complete picture.

So what is the complete picture?

After I began to understand grace, I saw this verse as referring to the gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, Paul says, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life” (verse 17). Giving righteousness is one way that God reveals his righteousness.

But again that is not the full picture.

What is the righteousness of God?

In Romans 1:17, the righteousness of God refers to his faithfulness in keeping his promises to make things right.

If God does nothing, he remains 100 percent righteous and just. But God has done something that reveals his righteousness – he has fulfilled all his promises in a way that demonstrates his faithfulness, justice, and mercy.

It’s all about the promises.

In the Old Testament, God promised to help, heal, and deliver us. These are the “I wills of God,” those things he has committed to do to save a world ravaged by sin.

Here’s a quick look at some of God’s promises:

• God to Adam: “It is not good for humanity to be alone. I will make a Helper” (Gen. 2:18).
• God to the devil: “There will be enmity between you and the woman, and her Seed shall crush you” (Gen. 3:15).
• God to Abraham: “Through your Seed all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
• God to David: “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession” (Ps. 2:8).
• God to Israel: “I will remember your sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). “I will put my Spirit in you and give you a new heart” (Eze. 36:25–26).

The gospel reveals that these promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the Helper who comes to the aid of humanity. He is the Seed that crushes Satan’s head and blesses the nations. He is the King who bears our sins and gives us his Spirit.

To recap:

• The Old Testament: “God will help, heal, and deliver us.”
• The Gospel: “God has done what he promised – see the cross!”

But that’s not all Paul says about the righteousness of God:

1. Our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:5)

If we were good and righteous, we would not need rescuing. If we could save ourselves, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous sinners, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23).

Enter, God. Because God is good, he has a plan for saving us. Because God is righteous, he makes sinners righteous (Rom. 4:5). Because he is faithful to his creation, he intends to restore all things (Col. 1:20). Our unrighteousness provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate his righteousness.

2. The law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21)

The law leads to self-righteousness; it does not reveal God’s righteousness.

If we could justify ourselves by keeping the law, we would not need God’s help. But no one can keep the law perfectly. Like a concrete life jacket, the law offers an illusion of safety while highlighting our captivity to sin.

3. The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25–26)

The cross of Christ reveals the Creator’s faithfulness to creation (Rom. 8:19–21). It displays his justice (toward sin; Rom. 3:25) and mercy (toward sinners; Rom. 11:32).

If Christ had never gone to the cross, we might wonder whether God cared about all the pain and suffering in the world. And if God had punished every sinner, we might wonder whether he cared about us. But through the cross, God declares, “I love you, and I am making things right.”

From faith to faith

Now we come to the last bit:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)

Note that the Greek words for “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same. Here is my paraphrase:

For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God (his plan to rescue us and restore creation) is revealed (made plain) from faith (the gospel reveals God’s faithfulness) to faith (and is received by faith).

The gospel reveals that God has done something unexpected and wonderful in fulfilling his promises. Through the cross, we see God’s love and faithfulness coming together like two great waves demolishing our prison of sin. We hear the thunderclaps of his justice and mercy shattering our bonds and setting us free.

The short version: You can have faith in God because the cross demonstrates his faithfulness to us and all creation.

—

Draft chapters of my forthcoming book on Romans are available now on Patreon:

Here is the most important paragraph in the most important letter ever written:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

The revealing of God’s righteousness is just about the greatest thing that ever happened. But what is “the righteousness of God,” and how was it revealed?

The righteousness of God revealed

I used to think the “righteousness of God” referred to God’s righteous character. Just as God is holy and wise, he is righteous and just. That is not what Paul is talking about here. Not exactly.

Note that Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In other words, before the gospel nobody really knew about the righteousness of God. When the psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament wrote about the righteousness of God (e.g., Psalm 71:19, 98:2, Is. 42:21), they didn’t have the complete picture.

So what is the complete picture?

After I began to understand grace, I saw this verse as referring to the gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, Paul says, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life” (verse 17). Giving righteousness is one way that God reveals his righteousness.

But again that is not the full picture.

What is the righteousness of God?

In Romans 1:17, the righteousness of God refers to his faithfulness in keeping his promises to make things right.

If God does nothing, he remains 100 percent righteous and just. But God has done something that reveals his righteousness – he has fulfilled all his promises in a way that demonstrates his faithfulness, justice, and mercy.

It’s all about the promises.

In the Old Testament, God promised to help, heal, and deliver us. These are the “I wills of God,” those things he has committed to do to save a world ravaged by sin.

Here’s a quick look at some of God’s promises:

• God to Adam: “It is not good for humanity to be alone. I will make a Helper” (Gen. 2:18).
• God to the devil: “There will be enmity between you and the woman, and her Seed shall crush you” (Gen. 3:15).
• God to Abraham: “Through your Seed all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
• God to David: “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession” (Ps. 2:8).
• God to Israel: “I will remember your sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). “I will put my Spirit in you and give you a new heart” (Eze. 36:25–26).

The gospel reveals that these promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the Helper who comes to the aid of humanity. He is the Seed that crushes Satan’s head and blesses the nations. He is the King who bears our sins and gives us his Spirit.

To recap:

• The Old Testament: “God will help, heal, and deliver us.”
• The Gospel: “God has done what he promised – see the cross!”

But that’s not all Paul says about the righteousness of God:

1. Our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:5)

If we were good and righteous, we would not need rescuing. If we could save ourselves, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous sinners, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23).

Enter, God. Because God is good, he has a plan for saving us. Because God is righteous, he makes sinners righteous (Rom. 4:5). Because he is faithful to his creation, he intends to restore all things (Col. 1:20). Our unrighteousness provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate his righteousness.

2. The law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21)

The law leads to self-righteousness; it does not reveal God’s righteousness.

If we could justify ourselves by keeping the law, we would not need God’s help. But no one can keep the law perfectly. Like a concrete life jacket, the law offers an illusion of safety while highlighting our captivity to sin.

3. The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25–26)

The cross of Christ reveals the Creator’s faithfulness to creation (Rom. 8:19–21). It displays his justice (toward sin; Rom. 3:25) and mercy (toward sinners; Rom. 11:32).

If Christ had never gone to the cross, we might wonder whether God cared about all the pain and suffering in the world. And if God had punished every sinner, we might wonder whether he cared about us. But through the cross, God declares, “I love you, and I am making things right.”

From faith to faith

Now we come to the last bit:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)

Note that the Greek words for “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same. Here is my paraphrase:

For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God (his plan to rescue us and restore creation) is revealed (made plain) from faith (the gospel reveals God’s faithfulness) to faith (and is received by faith).

The gospel reveals that God has done something unexpected and wonderful in fulfilling his promises. Through the cross, we see God’s love and faithfulness coming together like two great waves demolishing our prison of sin. We hear the thunderclaps of his justice and mercy shattering our bonds and setting us free.

The short version: You can have faith in God because the cross demonstrates his faithfulness to us and all creation.

—

Draft chapters of my forthcoming book on Romans are available now on Patreon:

Here is the most important paragraph in the most important letter ever written:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

The revealing of God’s righteousness is just about the greatest thing that ever happened. But what is “the righteousness of God,” and how was it revealed?

The righteousness of God revealed

I used to think the “righteousness of God” referred to God’s righteous character. Just as God is holy and wise, he is righteous and just. That is not what Paul is talking about here. Not exactly.

Note that Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In other words, before the gospel nobody really knew about the righteousness of God. When the psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament wrote about the righteousness of God (e.g., Psalm 71:19, 98:2, Is. 42:21), they didn’t have the complete picture.

So what is the complete picture?

After I began to understand grace, I saw this verse as referring to the gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, Paul says, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life” (verse 17). Giving righteousness is one way that God reveals his righteousness.

But again that is not the full picture.

What is the righteousness of God?

In Romans 1:17, the righteousness of God refers to his faithfulness in keeping his promises to make things right.

If God does nothing, he remains 100 percent righteous and just. But God has done something that reveals his righteousness – he has fulfilled all his promises in a way that demonstrates his faithfulness, justice, and mercy.

It’s all about the promises.

In the Old Testament, God promised to help, heal, and deliver us. These are the “I wills of God,” those things he has committed to do to save a world ravaged by sin.

Here’s a quick look at some of God’s promises:

• God to Adam: “It is not good for humanity to be alone. I will make a Helper” (Gen. 2:18).
• God to the devil: “There will be enmity between you and the woman, and her Seed shall crush you” (Gen. 3:15).
• God to Abraham: “Through your Seed all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
• God to David: “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession” (Ps. 2:8).
• God to Israel: “I will remember your sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). “I will put my Spirit in you and give you a new heart” (Eze. 36:25–26).

The gospel reveals that these promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the Helper who comes to the aid of humanity. He is the Seed that crushes Satan’s head and blesses the nations. He is the King who bears our sins and gives us his Spirit.

To recap:

• The Old Testament: “God will help, heal, and deliver us.”
• The Gospel: “God has done what he promised – see the cross!”

But that’s not all Paul says about the righteousness of God:

1. Our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:5)

If we were good and righteous, we would not need rescuing. If we could save ourselves, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous sinners, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23).

Enter, God. Because God is good, he has a plan for saving us. Because God is righteous, he makes sinners righteous (Rom. 4:5). Because he is faithful to his creation, he intends to restore all things (Col. 1:20). Our unrighteousness provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate his righteousness.

2. The law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21)

The law leads to self-righteousness; it does not reveal God’s righteousness.

If we could justify ourselves by keeping the law, we would not need God’s help. But no one can keep the law perfectly. Like a concrete life jacket, the law offers an illusion of safety while highlighting our captivity to sin.

3. The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25–26)

The cross of Christ reveals the Creator’s faithfulness to creation (Rom. 8:19–21). It displays his justice (toward sin; Rom. 3:25) and mercy (toward sinners; Rom. 11:32).

If Christ had never gone to the cross, we might wonder whether God cared about all the pain and suffering in the world. And if God had punished every sinner, we might wonder whether he cared about us. But through the cross, God declares, “I love you, and I am making things right.”

From faith to faith

Now we come to the last bit:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)

Note that the Greek words for “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same. Here is my paraphrase:

For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God (his plan to rescue us and restore creation) is revealed (made plain) from faith (the gospel reveals God’s faithfulness) to faith (and is received by faith).

The gospel reveals that God has done something unexpected and wonderful in fulfilling his promises. Through the cross, we see God’s love and faithfulness coming together like two great waves demolishing our prison of sin. We hear the thunderclaps of his justice and mercy shattering our bonds and setting us free.

The short version: You can have faith in God because the cross demonstrates his faithfulness to us and all creation.

—

Draft chapters of my forthcoming book on Romans are available now on Patreon:

Here is the most important paragraph in the most important letter ever written:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

The revealing of God’s righteousness is just about the greatest thing that ever happened. But what is “the righteousness of God,” and how was it revealed?

The righteousness of God revealed

I used to think the “righteousness of God” referred to God’s righteous character. Just as God is holy and wise, he is righteous and just. That is not what Paul is talking about here. Not exactly.

Note that Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In other words, before the gospel nobody really knew about the righteousness of God. When the psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament wrote about the righteousness of God (e.g., Psalm 71:19, 98:2, Is. 42:21), they didn’t have the complete picture.

So what is the complete picture?

After I began to understand grace, I saw this verse as referring to the gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, Paul says, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life” (verse 17). Giving righteousness is one way that God reveals his righteousness.

But again that is not the full picture.

What is the righteousness of God?

In Romans 1:17, the righteousness of God refers to his faithfulness in keeping his promises to make things right.

If God does nothing, he remains 100 percent righteous and just. But God has done something that reveals his righteousness – he has fulfilled all his promises in a way that demonstrates his faithfulness, justice, and mercy.

It’s all about the promises.

In the Old Testament, God promised to help, heal, and deliver us. These are the “I wills of God,” those things he has committed to do to save a world ravaged by sin.

Here’s a quick look at some of God’s promises:

• God to Adam: “It is not good for humanity to be alone. I will make a Helper” (Gen. 2:18).
• God to the devil: “There will be enmity between you and the woman, and her Seed shall crush you” (Gen. 3:15).
• God to Abraham: “Through your Seed all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
• God to David: “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession” (Ps. 2:8).
• God to Israel: “I will remember your sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). “I will put my Spirit in you and give you a new heart” (Eze. 36:25–26).

The gospel reveals that these promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the Helper who comes to the aid of humanity. He is the Seed that crushes Satan’s head and blesses the nations. He is the King who bears our sins and gives us his Spirit.

To recap:

• The Old Testament: “God will help, heal, and deliver us.”
• The Gospel: “God has done what he promised – see the cross!”

But that’s not all Paul says about the righteousness of God:

1. Our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:5)

If we were good and righteous, we would not need rescuing. If we could save ourselves, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous sinners, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23).

Enter, God. Because God is good, he has a plan for saving us. Because God is righteous, he makes sinners righteous (Rom. 4:5). Because he is faithful to his creation, he intends to restore all things (Col. 1:20). Our unrighteousness provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate his righteousness.

2. The law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21)

The law leads to self-righteousness; it does not reveal God’s righteousness.

If we could justify ourselves by keeping the law, we would not need God’s help. But no one can keep the law perfectly. Like a concrete life jacket, the law offers an illusion of safety while highlighting our captivity to sin.

3. The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25–26)

The cross of Christ reveals the Creator’s faithfulness to creation (Rom. 8:19–21). It displays his justice (toward sin; Rom. 3:25) and mercy (toward sinners; Rom. 11:32).

If Christ had never gone to the cross, we might wonder whether God cared about all the pain and suffering in the world. And if God had punished every sinner, we might wonder whether he cared about us. But through the cross, God declares, “I love you, and I am making things right.”

From faith to faith

Now we come to the last bit:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)

Note that the Greek words for “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same. Here is my paraphrase:

For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God (his plan to rescue us and restore creation) is revealed (made plain) from faith (the gospel reveals God’s faithfulness) to faith (and is received by faith).

The gospel reveals that God has done something unexpected and wonderful in fulfilling his promises. Through the cross, we see God’s love and faithfulness coming together like two great waves demolishing our prison of sin. We hear the thunderclaps of his justice and mercy shattering our bonds and setting us free.

The short version: You can have faith in God because the cross demonstrates his faithfulness to us and all creation.

—

Draft chapters of my forthcoming book on Romans are available now on Patreon:

Here is the most important paragraph in the most important letter ever written:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

The revealing of God’s righteousness is just about the greatest thing that ever happened. But what is “the righteousness of God,” and how was it revealed?

The righteousness of God revealed

I used to think the “righteousness of God” referred to God’s righteous character. Just as God is holy and wise, he is righteous and just. That is not what Paul is talking about here. Not exactly.

Note that Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In other words, before the gospel nobody really knew about the righteousness of God. When the psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament wrote about the righteousness of God (e.g., Psalm 71:19, 98:2, Is. 42:21), they didn’t have the complete picture.

So what is the complete picture?

After I began to understand grace, I saw this verse as referring to the gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, Paul says, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life” (verse 17). Giving righteousness is one way that God reveals his righteousness.

But again that is not the full picture.

What is the righteousness of God?

In Romans 1:17, the righteousness of God refers to his faithfulness in keeping his promises to make things right.

If God does nothing, he remains 100 percent righteous and just. But God has done something that reveals his righteousness – he has fulfilled all his promises in a way that demonstrates his faithfulness, justice, and mercy.

It’s all about the promises.

In the Old Testament, God promised to help, heal, and deliver us. These are the “I wills of God,” those things he has committed to do to save a world ravaged by sin.

Here’s a quick look at some of God’s promises:

• God to Adam: “It is not good for humanity to be alone. I will make a Helper” (Gen. 2:18).
• God to the devil: “There will be enmity between you and the woman, and her Seed shall crush you” (Gen. 3:15).
• God to Abraham: “Through your Seed all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
• God to David: “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession” (Ps. 2:8).
• God to Israel: “I will remember your sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). “I will put my Spirit in you and give you a new heart” (Eze. 36:25–26).

The gospel reveals that these promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the Helper who comes to the aid of humanity. He is the Seed that crushes Satan’s head and blesses the nations. He is the King who bears our sins and gives us his Spirit.

To recap:

• The Old Testament: “God will help, heal, and deliver us.”
• The Gospel: “God has done what he promised – see the cross!”

But that’s not all Paul says about the righteousness of God:

1. Our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:5)

If we were good and righteous, we would not need rescuing. If we could save ourselves, we would not need a Savior. But we are unrighteous sinners, lost and beyond hope (Rom. 3:23).

Enter, God. Because God is good, he has a plan for saving us. Because God is righteous, he makes sinners righteous (Rom. 4:5). Because he is faithful to his creation, he intends to restore all things (Col. 1:20). Our unrighteousness provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate his righteousness.

2. The law does not demonstrate the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21)

The law leads to self-righteousness; it does not reveal God’s righteousness.

If we could justify ourselves by keeping the law, we would not need God’s help. But no one can keep the law perfectly. Like a concrete life jacket, the law offers an illusion of safety while highlighting our captivity to sin.

3. The cross demonstrates the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25–26)

The cross of Christ reveals the Creator’s faithfulness to creation (Rom. 8:19–21). It displays his justice (toward sin; Rom. 3:25) and mercy (toward sinners; Rom. 11:32).

If Christ had never gone to the cross, we might wonder whether God cared about all the pain and suffering in the world. And if God had punished every sinner, we might wonder whether he cared about us. But through the cross, God declares, “I love you, and I am making things right.”

From faith to faith

Now we come to the last bit:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)

Note that the Greek words for “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same. Here is my paraphrase:

For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God (his plan to rescue us and restore creation) is revealed (made plain) from faith (the gospel reveals God’s faithfulness) to faith (and is received by faith).

The gospel reveals that God has done something unexpected and wonderful in fulfilling his promises. Through the cross, we see God’s love and faithfulness coming together like two great waves demolishing our prison of sin. We hear the thunderclaps of his justice and mercy shattering our bonds and setting us free.

The short version: You can have faith in God because the cross demonstrates his faithfulness to us and all creation.

—

Draft chapters of my forthcoming book on Romans are available now on Patreon: