According to Paul, one attains the righteousness of God by faith in Jesus Christ — apart from the Law, with nothing added.
Paul writes that the righteousness of God is now manifested without the Law (Romans 3:21). It comes by faith of Jesus Christ and is upon all them that believe, because there is no difference between Jew and Greek — all have sinned (Romans 3:22-23). Les Feldick stresses that when a person believes, God imputes His righteousness to that person's account, and no human works are involved.
Romans 3:20-22 — It directly states that no flesh is justified by the deeds of the Law, and that the righteousness of God is manifested without the Law, coming upon all who believe.
Romans 3:23-24 — It explains that all have sinned, and that justification is freely given by God's grace through redemption in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:18 — It contrasts Adam's offense with Christ's righteousness, showing that God's righteousness brings justification to those who receive the free gift.
Romans 3:20 says, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Then verse 21 declares, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;” while verse 22 continues, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.” Verse 23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” and verse 24 adds, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 5:18 further shows the movement from Adam's offense to Christ's righteousness: “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
Les Feldick points out that Paul's teaching about the righteousness of God without the Law is language not found in the Gospels. In the Gospel accounts, Jesus answered the rich young ruler by saying to keep the commandments, because Israel was still under the Judaic system of Law. Paul turns the corner: the righteousness of God is now manifested apart from the Law, witnessed by the Law and the prophets, and appropriated by faith in Jesus Christ. Les emphasizes the phrase “unto all, and upon all them that believe” — believe plus nothing. He says man's righteousness and good works are never brought into Romans 3. At the moment of belief, God imputes His righteousness to the believer's account: “None of ours, it's all of His.” This is possible because God paid the total price for sin on the cross, so He can be just in justifying those who believe.
Scripture says the Law speaks to those who are under the Law so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God. Paul declares that by the deeds of the Law no flesh will be justified because the Law gives the knowledge of sin. Les points out that in the Gospels, Jesus told the rich young ruler to keep the commandments because Israel was under the Judaic system of Law; Paul's later teaching reveals that the Law cannot produce the righteousness of God.
Romans 3:21-22 says the righteousness of God is manifested without the Law and comes by faith of Jesus Christ, upon all who believe. Les emphasizes “unto all, and upon all them that believe” — believe plus nothing. It is not by law-keeping or being religious. When a person believes, God imputes His righteousness to that person's account; it is all of His, none of ours.
All have sinned and come short of God's glory, and through Adam's offense condemnation came on all men. But justification is freely given by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Les explains that God has paid the full price for sin on the cross, so He is just in justifying those who believe. God is not winking at sin; the total price has been paid.
Les observes that when Paul describes this righteousness, man's righteousness and good works are not even mentioned. He says we don't work for it and don't deserve it; it is all of God's grace and appropriated by faith. The only condition stated is believing in Jesus Christ — nothing is added.
Law Cannot Justify — a Pauline Contrast
Les contrasts Jesus' law-based answer to the rich young ruler with Paul's statement that by the deeds of the Law no flesh will be justified, showing Paul introduces the righteousness of God without the Law.
Righteousness Apart from Law Put in the Spotlight
Les explains Romans 3:21-22: God's righteousness is now manifested without the Law and comes by faith of Jesus Christ, upon all who believe — not by law-keeping or religiosity.
All Have Sinned; Justified Freely by Grace
Les shows the progression from Romans 3:22 to 3:24: the righteousness is for all who believe because all have sinned, and justification is a free gift of grace through redemption in Christ.
God Is Just When He Justifies Believers
Les explains that salvation cannot be by anything man can do; because Christ paid the total price for sin, God can be just in justifying those who believe.
Believe, Plus Nothing
Les repeats Romans 3:21-22 and emphasizes the phrase 'them that believe' — nothing else is added; believing is the whole condition.
No Human Righteousness or Works Mentioned
Les notes that man's righteousness and good works are not even mentioned; the righteousness of God is appropriated by faith to all who believe, plus nothing.
God Imputes His Righteousness at the Moment of Belief
Les teaches that the moment we believe, God by imputation gives His righteousness to our account; all of His, none of ours.
Imputed Righteousness through Believing the Gospel
Les says God has imputed His righteousness to us as a result of believing the gospel; we don't work for it or deserve it, and it is all of God's grace.
Romans 3:19: Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
It establishes that the Law leaves every person guilty and unable to be justified by Law-keeping.
Romans 3:20: Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
This is the key verse showing that the Law cannot justify anyone; its purpose is to reveal sin.
Romans 3:21: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
This introduces the righteousness of God as revealed apart from the Law.
Romans 3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
It shows that God's righteousness is received by faith and comes upon all who believe, with no distinction.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
It explains why all people need God's righteousness, because everyone has sinned.
Romans 3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
It shows that justification is a free gift of God's grace through redemption in Christ.
Romans 5:18: Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
It contrasts the condemnation brought by Adam with the justification of life brought by Christ's righteousness.
No. Romans 3:20 says by the deeds of the Law no flesh shall be justified, because by the Law is the knowledge of sin. Les points out that in the Gospel accounts Israel was still under the Judaic system, but Paul reveals a righteousness apart from the Law.
Through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:22 says it is upon all them that believe. Les says it is believe plus nothing, and God imputes His righteousness to the believer's account at the moment of belief.
No. Les observes that man's righteousness and good works are not even mentioned in Romans 3. It is all of God's grace; He gives His righteousness, and we appropriate it by faith.
Because all have sinned and the penalty has been paid. Les explains that God paid the total price for sin on the cross, so He can be just in justifying those who believe in Jesus Christ.
Watch the Teaching: What Paul Teaches That You Won't Find in the Gospels