Romans 3:23–24

Commentary on Romans 3:23–24 (NKJV)

Passage

Romans 3:23–24 (NKJV):

Theological Insights

1. Universal Sinfulness: Romans 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This verse underscores the universal nature of sin. This means that every human being, regardless of their background, has sinned and is inherently sinful due to the Fall of Adam (Romans 5:12). This doctrine is known as Total Depravity, which asserts that sin affects all parts of a person, including their will, emotions, and intellect.

2. Falling Short of God’s Glory: The phrase “fall short of the glory of God” indicates that humans cannot attain the perfect standard of God’s holiness and righteousness on their own. This falling short is not just a minor deficiency but a complete inability to meet God’s standards. This highlights the need for divine intervention for salvation.

3. Justification by Grace: Romans 3:24 continues, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Justification is a legal term meaning to be declared righteous. Justification is understood as an act of God’s free grace, where He pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 33).

4. Redemption in Christ: The term “redemption” refers to the act of Christ paying the price for our sins through His sacrificial death on the cross. This is a central concept which teaches that Christ’s atonement is sufficient and effective for all who believe. It is through Christ’s redemptive work that believers are justified and reconciled to God.

Application to Modern Christian Living

1. Humility and Repentance: Understanding that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory should lead Christians to a posture of humility and repentance. Recognising our sinfulness and need for God’s grace prevents pride and self-righteousness.

2. Assurance of Salvation: The doctrine of justification by grace through faith provides believers with assurance of salvation. Since justification is based on Christ’s righteousness and not our own works, Christians can have confidence in their standing before God.

3. Motivation for Holiness: Knowing that we are justified by grace should motivate believers to live holy lives out of gratitude for what Christ has done. This involves striving to reflect God’s character in our daily actions and decisions.

4. Evangelism: The universal need for salvation underscores the importance of evangelism. Christians are called to share the gospel message with others, proclaiming the good news of redemption through Christ.

Bibliography

Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Romans 3 (NKJV). Retrieved from Bible Gateway.

Ligonier Ministries. (2023). What Does Romans 3:23 Mean? Retrieved from Ligonier Ministries.

Scriptural Grace. (n.d.). Justified By Grace Romans 3:23-24 Meaning. Retrieved from Scriptural Grace.

StudyLight.org. (n.d.). Romans 3:24 – Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary. Retrieved from StudyLight.

This commentary provides a comprehensive understanding of Romans 3:23–24, highlighting its theological significance and practical application for modern Christian living.