As Peter tells us, Paul isn’t always easy to understand. And Romans 3 is one of those chapters that makes my head spin a little. But what strikes me is that none of us are righteous.
For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one . . . (ESV)
And by keeping the law, we still cannot be righteous. The law reveals the knowledge of sin, but cannot save.
20For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (ESV)
So, those people who strive to keep the law, and who brag about their ability to do so, are, unfortunately, deceived.
27Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 28Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. (ESV)
Anyone, then, can be saved, through faith.
Interesting that I am doing my devotions in Romans. I’m sure glad that God includes Gentiles. Also I may be part Jewish, seeing my maiden name really ended in ‘sky’, which could signify that I could be part Jewish. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? The name was changed to ‘ski’ when my Grandfather came to the US around 1914. Anyway whether Jew or Gentile, we’re included.
The last verse you have there is interesting – “since God is one, He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith”. I need to check out what this really means.