For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
What does Romans 1:17 mean?
In these verses the apostle opens the design of the whole epistle, in which he brings forward a charge of sinfulness against all flesh; declares the only method of deliverance from condemnation, by faith in the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ; and then builds upon it purity of heart, grateful obedience, and earnest desires to improv...
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Romans 1:13-17 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Romans 1:17
For - This word implies that he is now about to give a "reason" for what he had just said, a reason why he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. That reason is stated in this verse. It embodies the substance of all that is contained in the Epistle. It is the doctrine which he seeks to establish; and there is not perhaps a more important passage in the Bible than this verse; or one more difficult to be understood. Therein - In it, εν ουτω en houto, that is, in the gospel. Is the righteousness of God - δικαιοσυνη Θεου dikaiosune Theou. There is not a more important expression to be found in the Epistle than this.
Key words
- the righteousness of God
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the righteousness of God.
- therein
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For therein is the righteousness of God revealed,.
- righteousness
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For therein is the righteousness of God revealed,.
Context in Romans 1
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Romans 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as gospel and the universal problem of sin. Romans is Paul’s fullest sustained exposition of sin, grace, righteousness, faith, Israel, the Spirit, and transformed life in Christ. Read this chapter with the wider themes of justification, grace, and faith in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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