Romans 3:26

KJV

To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

KJV (with Strong's)

To {G4314} declare {G1732}, I say, at {G1722} this {G3568} time {G2540} his {G846} righteousness {G1343}: that {G1519} he might be {G1511} just {G1342}, and {G2532} the justifier {G1344} of him {G846} which believeth {G4102} in {G1537} Jesus {G2424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and it vindicates his righteousness in the present age by showing that he is righteous himself and is also the one who makes people righteous on the ground of Yeshua’s faithfulness.

Berean Standard Bible

He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

American Standard Version

for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 3:26 serves as a profound theological summation, declaring that God's righteousness is powerfully unveiled in the present age through Christ's atoning work. This verse articulates the divine paradox wherein God, in His perfect justice, simultaneously upholds His righteous character and justly declares righteous those who place their faith in Jesus. It underscores that salvation is not a compromise of God's holiness but a magnificent demonstration of His unwavering integrity and boundless grace, made possible through the propitiatory sacrifice of His Son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the climactic statement in Paul's argument concerning justification by faith, following his comprehensive indictment of both Gentile and Jewish sinfulness in [Romans 1:18-3:20](/romans/1-18-3-20 "Romans 1:18-3:20 - Humanity's Universal Guilt"). Having established that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - Universal Sinfulness")), Paul then introduces God's gracious provision for salvation. [Romans 3:24](/romans/3-24 "Romans 3:24 - Justification by Grace") states that believers are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Building on this, [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation") explains that God "set forth [Jesus] to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Verse 26 then concludes this intricate theological explanation, emphasizing the purpose and outcome of Christ's propitiation: to publicly declare God's righteousness in a way that allows Him to be both perfectly just and the gracious justifier of believers.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's letter to the Romans was addressed to a diverse church in the heart of the Roman Empire, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. The concept of "righteousness" (δικαιοσύνη, _dikaiosýnē_) was central to both Jewish thought (concerning adherence to the Law) and Roman legal systems (concerning justice and equity). Paul's argument directly challenges the prevailing notions of achieving righteousness through works of the Law (common among some Jewish Christians) or through moralistic self-sufficiency (common among some Gentiles). The idea of God "declaring" or "demonstrating" His righteousness would have resonated strongly in a culture that valued public displays of justice and power. Furthermore, the concept of a "propitiation" (ἱλαστήριον, _hilastērion_) would evoke imagery from the Old Testament sacrificial system, where a sacrifice was offered to appease divine wrath and make atonement, though Paul reinterprets this through the lens of Christ's unique and final sacrifice.

* **Key Themes:** [Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God's Just Justification") powerfully encapsulates several major themes woven throughout Romans. The overarching theme is **God's Righteousness**, which is not merely an attribute but an active principle by which He acts justly in salvation. This verse highlights that God's righteousness is not compromised by forgiving sin but is rather magnificently displayed through Christ's sacrifice, which satisfies the demands of divine justice. Another crucial theme is **Justification by Faith**, emphasizing that righteousness is imputed to believers not by their deeds but solely through their trust in Jesus. This stands in stark contrast to any system of works-based righteousness, as seen in Paul's arguments in [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Abraham Justified by Faith"). Finally, the verse presents the profound **Paradox of God being both Just and the Justifier**. This theological tension is resolved at the cross, where God's holiness is upheld by punishing sin in Christ, thereby enabling Him to extend mercy and declare sinners righteous without compromising His character. This truth is foundational to understanding the gospel message presented throughout [Paul's epistles](/romans "The Book of Romans").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **declare (Greek, _éndeixis'_):** This word signifies an "indication," "proof," or "demonstration." It implies a public and undeniable display. Here, it means God actively and clearly shows His righteousness, making it evident to all. It's not a hidden truth but a revealed one, particularly "at this time" (the time of Christ's work).
* **just (Greek, _díkaios'_):** Derived from the root meaning "equity" or "right," this term describes God's inherent character as being perfectly righteous, fair, and upright in all His dealings. He adheres to His own perfect standard of holiness and justice. He cannot simply overlook sin without compromising His nature.
* **justifier (Greek, _dikaióō'_):** This verb means "to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent." It refers to God's act of declaring a sinner righteous, not by making them inherently righteous in themselves, but by imputing Christ's righteousness to them. This is a legal declaration, a change in forensic status, enabling a relationship with a holy God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness:"** This phrase emphasizes the purpose of Christ's sacrifice. God's righteousness, which might have seemed compromised by His "passing over" of sins committed before Christ (as mentioned in [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation")), is now fully and publicly demonstrated. The phrase "at this time" refers to the era of Christ's advent and redemptive work, signifying the decisive moment in salvation history when God's justice is fully satisfied and revealed.
* **"that he might be just,"** This clause highlights the preservation of God's character. The cross ensures that God remains perfectly righteous and holy even as He forgives sinners. He does not simply ignore sin; rather, the penalty for sin is fully paid through Christ, upholding the integrity of His divine law and justice.
* **"and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."** This is the glorious outcome. Because Christ's sacrifice has satisfied divine justice, God is now able to declare righteous (to justify) anyone who places their faith in Jesus. This justification is not based on human merit or works, but solely on the basis of faith in Christ's finished work, demonstrating God's sovereign grace and mercy.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 3:26 masterfully employs **Paradox** and **Antithesis** to convey a profound theological truth. The central paradox lies in God being simultaneously "just" and "the justifier." On the surface, these two roles might seem contradictory: how can a perfectly just God, who must punish sin, also declare unjust sinners righteous? Paul resolves this through the person and work of Christ, demonstrating that God's justice is upheld (Christ bore the penalty for sin) *precisely so that* He can extend righteousness to those who believe. This creates a powerful **Antithesis** between the demands of God's justice and the provision of His grace, showing that grace does not bypass justice but fulfills it. The phrase "to declare... his righteousness" also functions as **Rhetorical Emphasis**, underscoring the public and undeniable nature of God's demonstration of His character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 3:26 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, articulating the heart of the gospel: God's perfect justice and boundless grace meet at the cross. It clarifies that God's act of justifying sinners is not an act of overlooking sin, but an act rooted in His own righteous character, fully satisfied by Christ's propitiatory sacrifice. This means that our salvation is not based on a divine compromise, but on a divine triumph where God's holiness is vindicated even as He extends mercy. This profound truth assures believers of the secure foundation of their salvation, resting on God's unchanging nature and His perfect work in Christ.

* [Isaiah 45:21](/isaiah/45-21 "Isaiah 45:21 - God, a Just God and a Saviour")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")
* [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 3:26 offers immense comfort and assurance to the believer. It dismantles any notion that God might be unjust in forgiving us, or that our salvation is somehow a "soft" deal. Instead, it powerfully declares that our justification is built upon the rock-solid foundation of God's perfect righteousness, fully satisfied through Christ's sacrifice. This means we stand declared righteous before a holy God, not because of our own merit, but because of Christ's perfect work and our faith in Him. This truth should lead us to profound gratitude, deep humility, and unwavering confidence in God's character. It frees us from the burden of trying to earn our salvation and empowers us to live lives of worship and obedience out of love for the God who is both just and our justifier.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as both "just" and "the justifier" deepen your appreciation for the cross?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge any lingering thoughts you might have about earning God's favor?**
* **How does the truth of God's declared righteousness impact your confidence in your salvation?**
* **What practical implications does being "justified by faith" have for your daily walk with God and your interactions with others?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God is "just" and "the justifier" simultaneously?**

Answer: This is the central theological paradox resolved by the cross. To be "just" means God is perfectly righteous, holy, and fair; He must punish sin because His nature demands it. To be "the justifier" means He declares sinners righteous. These two roles appear contradictory, but [Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed") explains how they are reconciled: Christ's sacrifice on the cross fully satisfied God's justice by bearing the penalty for sin. Because the debt of sin was paid, God can now, without compromising His justice, declare righteous those who believe in Jesus. It means He is both righteous in Himself and righteous in His act of making others righteous.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 3:26 finds its complete and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very means by which God's righteousness is "declared" and demonstrated. The Old Testament sacrificial system, with its temporary coverings for sin, foreshadowed a greater reality, but it was in Christ that God's justice was definitively satisfied. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") proclaims, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, bore the full wrath and penalty for humanity's sin on the cross, thereby upholding God's perfect justice. His atoning death enabled God to be "just" (because sin was punished) and simultaneously "the justifier" of all who place their faith in Him. This profound truth is the heart of the New Covenant, where access to God's grace and righteousness is freely given through Christ's finished work, as beautifully articulated in [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood No Remission") and [1 Peter 3:18](/1_peter/3-18 "1 Peter 3:18 - Christ Suffered for Sins").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 4:5

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Deuteronomy 32:4

[He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he.

Romans 3:30

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

Acts 13:38

Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:39

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Zephaniah 3:5

The just LORD [is] in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

Romans 8:33

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.