Romans 3:21-24

Romans 3:21-24 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Paul here begins to describe the good news of how the righteousness of God can be received by man.  This righteousness is a gift that is given by God.  It does not depend on man’s actual righteousness of performance because as Paul has explained this is impossible.  This free gift of justification is entirely based on God’s grace. 

Paul goes further to describe why there is no difference between Jew and Gentile.  While the Jews were a chosen physical people of God, very few of them were redeemed spiritually.  As an entire nation they were never God’s spiritual people as Paul points out in Romans chapter 9.  Therefore, it depends on faith for both Gentiles and Jews… Being born a Jew and in a physical covenant with God did not automatically save Israelites spiritually. 

Grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone is the wonderful message as Paul begins to explain the gospel of grace in this passage.  Praise God that he has provided the way for sinners to become Saints and that is through faith.