21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:21-23 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Apostle Paul having proved negatively that by the works of the law righteousness and justification is not to be had for any person, be he Jew or Gentile: He comes now to prove the affirmative part of his assertion; namely, that God has manifested another way of justification in the gospel, to wit, by faith in Jesus Christ. “For, saith he, now, that is, since the coming of Christ, since the dispensation of the gospel; the righteousness of God, that is, the righteousness which God appoints, approves, and accepts for a sinner’s justification, is without the law, that is, without performing the works of the law, either natural, ceremonial, or moral; and is manifested to be the righteousness which is by faith in Christ; which all that believe and obey the gospel shall be admitted to the participation of, both Jew and Gentile; for there is no difference; that is, no difference between Jew and Gentile, as to the way and means of their justification.” And the reason assigned by the apostle, why there is, and can be, no other way of justification but this, we have in the next verse, namely, because all have sinned, the whole race of mankind, not one mere man excepted; and so will fall short of obtaining the glory of God and eternal life, if they seek it not by faith.
Learn hence, 1. That there is no standing or appearing before God for any creature, in a creature’s righteousness. There is much unrighteousness in our righteousness and therefore we cannot stand justified before God in it. Besides, the wisdom of God has appointed another righteousness or the righteousness of another, that is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, in which we should stand before him: But now the righteousness of God is manifested, even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ.
Learn, 2. The necessity and excellency of faith; the righteousness of God is unto all, and upon all that believe: Faith is the bond of union, the instrument of our justification, and the spring of our consolation: Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, Ro 5:1. Render we then to faith the things which are faith’s, as well as to Christ the things that are Christ’s.
Learn, 3. That with respect to our justification before God, there is no difference among believers, For there is no difference Ro 3:22; that is, no difference as to the way of justification, between Jew and Gentile, male and female, bond and free; but all, without the righteousness of faith in Christ, must die and be damned to all eternity.
There is now a difference among believers, with respect to the degrees of glory in heaven than others; but the justification of all believers is alike.
There is the same sin in all, not for measure and degree, but in respect of guilt and obligation to punishment:
There is the same price paid, by way of satisfaction to divine justice, for all; namely, the death of Christ:
There is the same righteousness imputed to all, the same spirit of holiness imparted amongst all, and the same mansions of glory designed for all; thus there is no difference.
And there is no difference amongst believers in regard to the truth of grace, but much in regard to the strength of grace;
no difference amongst them in regard to God’s promises, but much difference in regard to God’s covenant, but much difference in regard to God’s counsels, as also, in regard to God’s dispensations; no difference in regard to God’s acceptation, but much in regard to their application;
no difference as they are a body, in regard to their head, but much difference as they are members of that head.
And if there be no difference amongst believers (as such) before God, why should there be so much difference amongst themselves, as there is oftentimes here in this world? You are all dear, truly dear to God; why should you not be so to one another? Why should not one church and one communion hold you now? Ere long, perhaps, one prison may, one heaven shall certainly hold you all.