Lesson 7
Romans 3:21-31
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Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.... Romans 3:20
In our last lesson we learned that no one is righteous. Furthermore, none of us can be justified in God's sight by works of the law; not by the law of Moses, not by the law of conscience, and not by any law of good deeds we might invent. We are utterly helpless to justify ourselves. Romans 3:21 opens with, "But now." The thing God's people have been waiting for has come. God's righteousness is now revealed.
Read Romans 3:21-31
1) What does this passage teach regarding the relationship between God's righteousness and the law?
2) How does this passage say God's righteousness is shown? See verse 25.
3) Four times in these few verses Paul speaks of justification. It may be helpful at this point to review the meaning of justification. Why does man need justification? Give verse reference.
4a) What do you think it means that God passed over former sins?
b) How does Christ's sacrifice help those who died before he made propitiation for sins?
5) God put forth Jesus as a propitiation for our sins. use a Bible dictionary to define propitiation. Note: if your version uses the phrase sacrifice of atonement, define atonement.
It is interesting to note that the Greek word, hilasterion (Strong's 2435), translated propitiation, is also used in Hebrews 9:5 for the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. On the Day of Atonement the high priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat for the propitiation of his own sins and the sins of the people (Leviticus 16, Hebrews 9). This is one example of the law and prophets bearing witness to the righteousness of God.
6) How does Christ's sacrifice of atonement reveal God's righteousness?
7a) Write phrases (include references) that show that the law of faith is superior to a law of works.
b) What does this mean to your relationship with God?
8) In the concluding verse of this section Paul asks, "Do we then overthrow the law by this faith?" Once again we may be surprised by Paul's answer, "By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law." How do we uphold the law in Christ? See Matthew 22:36-40, John 13:34, and Romans 13:8-10 for help.
9) How does the fact of your right standing with God (justification) help you to love God and others?
10) How is God's righteousness displayed in your life today?
11a) On the cross Jesus atoned for all our sins. We are no longer slaves to sin but to righteousness (Romans 6:16). In what area of your life is the Holy Spirit calling you to a greater experience of righteousness? Don't include the whole list, just the area that presses the most on your heart!)
b) How will the principle of righteousness by faith help you to grow in this area?
Thank the Lord for what he has done for you in Christ!
In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:4
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 3:21-31
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.... Romans 3:20
In our last lesson we learned that no one is righteous. Furthermore, none of us can be justified in God's sight by works of the law; not by the law of Moses, not by the law of conscience, and not by any law of good deeds we might invent. We are utterly helpless to justify ourselves. Romans 3:21 opens with, "But now." The thing God's people have been waiting for has come. God's righteousness is now revealed.
Read Romans 3:21-31
1) What does this passage teach regarding the relationship between God's righteousness and the law?
2) How does this passage say God's righteousness is shown? See verse 25.
3) Four times in these few verses Paul speaks of justification. It may be helpful at this point to review the meaning of justification. Why does man need justification? Give verse reference.
4a) What do you think it means that God passed over former sins?
b) How does Christ's sacrifice help those who died before he made propitiation for sins?
5) God put forth Jesus as a propitiation for our sins. use a Bible dictionary to define propitiation. Note: if your version uses the phrase sacrifice of atonement, define atonement.
It is interesting to note that the Greek word, hilasterion (Strong's 2435), translated propitiation, is also used in Hebrews 9:5 for the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. On the Day of Atonement the high priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat for the propitiation of his own sins and the sins of the people (Leviticus 16, Hebrews 9). This is one example of the law and prophets bearing witness to the righteousness of God.
6) How does Christ's sacrifice of atonement reveal God's righteousness?
7a) Write phrases (include references) that show that the law of faith is superior to a law of works.
b) What does this mean to your relationship with God?
8) In the concluding verse of this section Paul asks, "Do we then overthrow the law by this faith?" Once again we may be surprised by Paul's answer, "By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law." How do we uphold the law in Christ? See Matthew 22:36-40, John 13:34, and Romans 13:8-10 for help.
9) How does the fact of your right standing with God (justification) help you to love God and others?
10) How is God's righteousness displayed in your life today?
11a) On the cross Jesus atoned for all our sins. We are no longer slaves to sin but to righteousness (Romans 6:16). In what area of your life is the Holy Spirit calling you to a greater experience of righteousness? Don't include the whole list, just the area that presses the most on your heart!)
b) How will the principle of righteousness by faith help you to grow in this area?
Thank the Lord for what he has done for you in Christ!
In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:4
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
