Justification and the Righteousness of God (Romans 3:21-26)

Rom 3:21-26 is regarded by scholars and theologians as "the center and heart" of Romans as as "possibly the most important single paragraph ever written."

Rom 3:21-26 is loaded with key theological terms, and the phrase "righteousness of God" stands out.

1. The noun "righteousness" {δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē)} occurs 4 times (Rom 3:21, 22, 25, 26).
2. The verb "justify" {δικαιόω (dikaioō)} occurs 2 times (Rom 3:24, 26).
   
3. The adjective "just" {δίκαιος (dikaios)} occur once (Rom 3:26).
   

Rom 1:18-3:20 is the preceding section that has amply demonstrated in detail just how much sinful human beings--both Jews and Gentiles, both the religious and the irreligious--are in desperate need of this righteousness.

Rom 3:21-24 falls into four parts:

1. The revelation of God's righteousness as it relates to the OT (Rom 3:21).
2. All human beings, equal in sin, have equal access to God's righteousness through faith (Rom 3:22-23).
3. The source of God's righteousness is the gracious provision of Christ as an atoning sacrifice (Rom 3:24-25a).
4. The atonement not only provides for the justification of sinners but also demonstrates the "just-ness" of God throughout the process (Rom 3:25b-26).

"Righteousness of God" in Rom 3:21-22 refer to the justifying act of God, while in Rom 3:25-26 it refers to the "integrity" of God, his always acting in complete accordance with his own character. 

Douglas Moo — The Epistle to the Romans (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1996).

Sam Storms -- Romans 3:21-31.