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Romans 3:22

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 3:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;
Romans 3:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:
20because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law [cometh] the knowledge of sin.
21But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;
23for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
24being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25whom God set forth [to be] a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God;
← Romans 3:21Romans 3:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, etc..] A further account is given of this righteousness: why it is called “the righteousness of God”, and in what sense revealed and manifested, (see Gill on “ <450117>Romans 1:17”); Here it is said to be “by faith of Jesus Christ”; not by that faith which Christ himself had as man, but by that faith, of which he the author and object: the Alexandrian copy reads, “by faith in Jesus Christ”; and not by that as the cause of justification; for faith is neither the efficient, nor the moving, nor meritorious cause of it; no, nor the instrumental cause of it on the part of God or Christ: nor is faith the matter of a justifying…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“by faith of--that is, "in" Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe--that is, perhaps, brought nigh "unto all" men the Gospel, and actually "upon all" believing men, as theirs in possession [LUTHER and others]; but most interpreters understand both statements" of believers as only a more emphatic way of saying that all believers, without distinction or exception, are put in possession of this gratuitous justification, purely by faith in Christ Jesus. for there is no difference.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Even the righteousness of God - The apostle, having stated that the design of the gospel was to reveal a new plan of becoming just in the sight of God, proceeds here more fully to explain it. The explanation which he offers, makes it plain that the phrase so often used by him, “righteousness of God,” does not refer to an attribute of God, but to his plan of making people righteous. Here he says that it is by faith in Jesus Christ; but surely an attribute of God is not produced by faith in Jesus Christ. It means God’s mode of regarding people as righteous through their belief in Jesus Christ. (That the “righteousness of God” cannot be explained of the attribute of justice, is obvious enough.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“To all - The Jews. And upon all - The gentiles That believe: for there is no difference - Either as to the need of justification, or the manner of it. Romans 3:23”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“which is: Rom 4:3-13, Rom 4:20-22, Rom 5:1-11, Rom 8:1; Phi 3:9 unto all: Rom 4:6, Rom 4:11, Rom 4:22; Gal 2:16, Gal 3:6; Jam 2:23 and upon: Isa 61:10; Mat 22:11, Mat 22:12; Luk 15:22; Gal 3:7-9 for there: Rom 2:1, Rom 10:12; Act 15:9; Co1 4:7; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11 Romans 3:23”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification