1. The righteousness of God has been revealed, and it relates to the Old Testament (21).
2. The righteousness of God is universally available, without ethnic distinction, through the means of faith (22–23).
3. The righteousness of God is free and expensive, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (24).
4. The righteous God presented Jesus as a “sacrifice of atonement” – a sacrifice which is both expiatory and propitiatory - to be received by faith (25-26)
       • The atonement not only provides for the justification of sinners, but also demonstrates the “just-ness” of God throughout the process!

Therefore, Christian . . .
• Praise God that his righteousness has now been revealed apart from the law-covenant!
• Praise God that his righteousness is universally available without ethnic distinction!
• Praise God that his righteousness is an expensive gift from God to us!
• Praise God that he presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement and that he is righteous even in declaring that sinful believers are righteous!

Defining “Righteousness/ The Righteousness of God/ God’s Righteousness” In Paul

A. “Righteousness of God” can refer to an attribute of God = faithfulness to his person and promises. It is something intrinsic to God’s character, whether his consistency, or his determination to act in accordance with his glory, or his punitive justice (3:25-26).
B. “Righteous/righteousness” can refer to a status given by God to sinners = not guilty, in right standing before him. A legal declaration (2:13; 3:20).
C. “Righteousness of God” can denote an activity of God – especially God’s saving activity = his eschatological justifying or vindicating activity (1:17/3:21)

Six Aspects of “Justification” in Romans*
1. God justifies people through faith and not through “works of the law,” which refer to obedience to the Old Testament law - the Torah - and exclude all works.
2. Justification is available for all human beings, Jew and Gentile, on the same basis of faith.
3. God justifies people by a completely free act of his will: in a word, by grace.
4. Justification by faith is rooted in the Old Testamant.
5. Justification is the product, or extension, of “the righteousness of God,” which refers to an activity of God: his acting to put people in right relationship to himself.
6. Justification by faith is based in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In a bold metaphor, Paul claims, in effect, that Christ is now the final, eschatological mercy seat, the place where God draws near to human beings for their redemption.

*DOUG MOO