Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification (4)
[Romans 3:9-20]
We continue to meditate on the first subtopic, "The Necessity of Justification," under the overarching theme of "Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification." Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." According to this divine word, since "all have sinned," every person, from the first human, Adam, as mentioned in the Book of Genesis, is unequivocally in need of justification. The apostle Paul addresses the universal sinfulness by categorizing humanity into four groups: (1) Gentiles who have sinned (Rom. 1:18-32); (2) Those who pass judgment on others (2:1-16); (3) Jews (2:17-3:8). Today, we reflect on the fourth group, the entire human race, emphasizing the absolute need for God's justification based on Romans 3:9-20.
The focal point of today's passage is Romans 3:9, which declares, "What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin." This statement by Paul is followed by a citation of Old Testament Scriptures [“As it is written” (v. 10)] to substantiate the universal sinful state of humanity: (1) (Rom. 3:10-12) “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’” This word quotes from Psalms 14:1-3 and 53:1-3 in the Old Testament, which Apostle Paul refers to: “” (Ps. 14:1-3), “The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one,” (53:1-3) “The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (2) (Rom. 3:13a) “Their throats are open graves ….” This word quotes from Psalms 5:9 – “Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.” (3) (Rom. 3:13b) “… their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips.” This word quotes from Psalms 140:3 – “They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. Selah.” (4) (Rom. 3:14) “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” This word quotes from Psalms 10:7 – “His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.” (5) (Rom. 3:15-17) “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” This word quotes from Isaiah 59:7-8: “Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.” (6) (Rom. 3:18) “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” This word quotes Psalms 36:1 – “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.” Thus, as all humanity is sinful, and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), the absolute need for God's justification applies to all humanity.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 3:9, stated that "all are under sin," but in verse 19, he mentioned "those under the law" (in the original Greek, it says 'those within the law') and expressed the intention to subject them to God's judgment throughout the whole world. In other words, all of humanity is under sin (inside sin) and has come under God's judgment. Here, the term "judgment" is a unique word in the original Greek language, appearing specifically in this context throughout the entire Bible, emphasizing that God will judge in the supreme court of God's law (Lloyd Jones). The Bible states that God judges "righteously" (2:2), indicating that God's judgment is just and righteous, with no possibility of injustice. God will judge even the hidden things. No one can escape God's judgment!
Revelation 20:11-15 says: "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." Here, the "great white throne and him who was seated on it" refers to God (v. 11). The ones "standing before the throne" are the "dead," representing all people (v. 12). "Books were opened" indicates that everyone will have a book (v. 12). The "other book" is the "book of life" recorded by God, not by us (v. 12). All actions, words, and thoughts of every person will be recorded. Therefore, each person will be judged according to their deeds (v. 13). "Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire" refers to the final judgment, and "anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire" (vv. 14-15). Therefore, absolute justification from God is necessary because one must receive justification from God to have their name recorded in the book of life.
Revelation 19:7-8 states: "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." Although there is eternal punishment in the lake of fire, there will be a wedding feast of the Lamb in the heavenly kingdom. The phrase "has made herself ready" (v. 7) in the active voice indicates that the Lamb, who is Jesus Christ, as the bridegroom, has prepared Himself for the marriage feast by our church, who is His bride. And the phrase "it was granted to her" (v. 8) in the passive voice signifies that God has allowed and adorned the church, the bride of Jesus, with the "fine linen, clean and bright." Here, the "fine linen" represents 'righteousness' (Park). In other words, God has clothed us with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, allowing us to participate in the wedding feast of the Lamb as the bride of Jesus. Therefore, the justification of God is absolutely necessary for all of us!