`Being justified freely (dorean) (`without a cause', John 15:25) by His grace, through the redemption that is by

Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be a mercy seat (the witness of the law and prophets) through faith in

His blood' (3:24,25 Author's translation).

While we are rightly much concerned in the revelation of the righteousness of God in the gospel as God's

provision for us, we must not neglect the equally important aspect of the revelation of righteousness that is given in

3:25,26. There the revelation twice given of God's righteousness is not that we might be justified thereby, but that:

`HE MIGHT BE JUST, and the JUSTIFIER of him which believeth in Jesus' (3:26).

All this teaching leads up to the question of the Gentiles' place in the reconciliation. If there be `no difference'; if

the boasted law and the exclusive circumcision availed the Jew nothing; if both Jew and Gentile are saved on

common ground, then asks the apostle:

`Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God,

which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith' (3:29,30).

The reader will realize that we have not attempted an exposition of the doctrine of justification by faith. That

subject alone could well occupy the whole of the present volume. Our object is rather to lead the reader to see how

this precious doctrine is used by the apostle to enforce the presence and the claim of the ministry of reconciliation,

which constituted the chief element in his apostleship to the Gentiles.

We would not pass from this passage without giving a word that may be of assistance to any reader desiring

fuller acquaintance with this fundamental of faith.

3:21-23. CONDITIONS OF ITS MANIFESTATION.

1. Without law.

2. Witnessed by law and prophets.

3. By faith of Jesus Christ.

4. Unto all that believe.

Reasons for this. - (a)  No difference,  (b)

All sinned and

come short.

3:24-25-. CAUSES OF COMMUNICATION OF THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

1. Original Cause. - `Freely'; `By his grace'.

2. Meritorious cause. - Redemption. - (a) By Christ. (b)  By faith. (c) As propitiatory.

3. Receptive cause. - `Faith in His blood'.

3:-25-30. CONSEQUENCES OF THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS.

1. Passing over sins of the past.

2. Just while justifying.

3. No boasting.

4. God of all.

Romans 4:1 to 5:11 brings this phase of the teaching to a conclusion. Romans 4 brings forward Abraham and

David as evidence from the law and the prophets that this justification by faith without works of law is the attested

truth. The apostle further clinches his argument by that which must have been `a bolt from the blue' among the

Judaizing party. Abraham, the object of their boast, the name whereby they excluded the uncircumcision -

ABRAHAM WAS A GENTILE! Circumcision was but a seal of the righteousness which he had 430 years before the law

was given, and while he was yet uncircumcised!!

Further, Abraham's call by God, and his response by faith, are the greatest silencer to any objector that may cavil

at the teaching of Romans 2. Do you doubt that God has ever spoken to the heathen? Then read Genesis 12.

Abraham was an idolater, a citizen of Ur of the Chaldees. Do you doubt that, apart from the teaching of the written