Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. [29] Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: [30] Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. [31] Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 3:28-31

One of Paul’s primary pieces of evidence that we are justified today by faith alone is that God justified His people in time past by faith alone.  By this time in Romans, Paul already quoted Hab. 2:4 when he commenced sharing his gospel the gospel of Christ in Romans 1:17.  He quotes it again in Galatians.

Yet, this quotation isn’t the strongest point Paul makes to conclude men are justified by faith today like they were in the past.  Romans 3:27-31 is.  When Paul concludes that man is not justified by the deeds of the law he is not doing so for the first time in history, rather doing it for these saints at Rome and in so doing his biggest defense for his conclusion is God’s character and essence in connection with His justice.

God’s attribute of justice especially in regards to justification unto eternal life is an aspect of Himself that never changes.  Therefore, the manner in which He does, did, and will justify is by faith alone.

Paul shares as much by asking the question, “Is God the God of the Jews only?”  In other words, does God justify the Jews only by faith alone (Jews in the past is the context, but Jews today wouldn’t change the thrust of the passage)?  No!!!  He is the God of the Gentiles as well and sense He is the God of the Gentiles as well He justifies us the same way…by faith alone.

Paul’s next statement provides the blow for all those who think that God justifies in different ways at different times.

Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Romans 3:30

It is ONE God which justifies the Jews and the Gentiles and although there is a difference in preposition (by and through) the common denominator is FAITH.  If the circumcision was justified unto eternal life by faith plus works it wouldn’t fit Paul’s conclusion very well and his whole argument from Romans 1.

Paul says in Galatians if righteousness come by the law or faith plus works as some say then Christ is dead in vain.  If men were justified by faith plus works there would have been no need for Christ.

Nevertheless, it is ONE God.  In other words, if God justified in two different ways (one way now different from another in time past) this would be a reflection of a corrupt system and changing system of justice.  Paul’s conclusion is if you think that the implications of that and to remain consistent in that thinking is you need TWO God’s in order for it to work.

There is ONE God and we ought to be able to “see” it is one God who justifies by faith alone and no works then, now, or to come.

Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher