Big Idea: Paul anticipates here in verses 21–26 Martin Luther's famous question, “How can I, a sinner, stand before a holy God?” The apostle's answer is that at the cross of Jesus Christ, the judging righteousness of God (his holiness) is reconciled to God's saving righteousness (his mercy) such that God is at once both just and the justifier of him whose faith is in Jesus.

Understanding the Text

Romans 1:17–18 signaled two aspects of divine righteousness: saving righteousness and judging righteousness. Paul has dealt with the latter in 1:19–3:20, demonstrating that even attempting to obey the law brings about divine wrath and spiritual exile. Now Paul intends to show that God’s saving righteousness has been manifested in the death of Jesus and is to be received by faith alone; at the cr…