Romans 1:17

Letters to the Faithful - Romans 1:17

Berean Standard Bible

For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

King James Bible

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Greek Text:

δικαιοσύνη γὰρ Θεοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ ἀποκαλύπτεται ἐκ πίστεως εἰς πίστιν, καθὼς γέγραπται· ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται.

Transliteration:

Dikaiosynē gar Theou en autō apokalyptetai ek pisteōs eis pistin, kathōs gegraptai; ho de dikaios ek pisteōs zēsetai.

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For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God

The gospel, or "good news," is central to Christian doctrine, emphasizing salvation through Jesus Christ. The righteousness of God refers to His perfect moral nature and His plan to make humans righteous through faith. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament, where God's righteousness is often associated with His faithfulness to His covenant (e.g., Psalm 98:2). The gospel reveals this righteousness, showing how God remains just while justifying those who believe in Jesus (Romans 3:26).

that comes by faith

Faith is the means by which believers receive God's righteousness. This principle is foundational in Christian theology, contrasting with the idea of earning righteousness through works. The emphasis on faith aligns with Abraham's example, who was counted as righteous because of his faith (Genesis 15:6). This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a trust in God's promises and character.

from start to finish

This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of faith in the believer's life. It begins with initial belief and continues throughout one's spiritual journey. The idea is that faith is not a one-time event but a continual reliance on God. This aligns with Hebrews 12:2, which describes Jesus as the "author and perfecter of our faith," indicating that faith is both initiated and completed through Him.

just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

This quotation is from Habakkuk 2:4, a prophetic book addressing the problem of evil and God's justice. In its original context, it reassures the faithful that God will ultimately vindicate them. Paul uses this verse to support the doctrine of justification by faith, a central theme in his letters. This principle is echoed in other New Testament writings, such as Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38, reinforcing the idea that true life, both now and eternally, is found through faith in God.

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For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). This verse, a radiant cornerstone of the Epistle to the Romans, unveils the heart of the Gospel, proclaiming the righteousness of God as the divine gift that transforms sinners through faith. Penned by the Apostle Paul, it stands as a theological linchpin, encapsulating the message of justification by faith that reverberates through the epistle and shapes the doctrine of salvation. In its concise yet profound declaration, the verse weaves together the revelation of God’s righteousness, the dynamic movement of faith, and the scriptural foundation of Habakkuk’s prophecy, heralding the power of the Gospel to save all who believe, both Jew and Gentile, unto eternal life.

The context of Romans 1:17 lies in Paul’s introduction to his letter, where he declares his eagerness to preach the Gospel in Rome, for it is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). The verse flows from this bold assertion, explaining why the Gospel is such a power: “for therein is the righteousness of God revealed.” The term “righteousness of God” (dikaiosynē theou) is multifaceted, encompassing both God’s own righteous character and the righteousness He imparts to believers through faith. In the first-century Jewish context, righteousness denoted covenant faithfulness, and here Paul proclaims that the Gospel reveals God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to save His people. This righteousness is not a human achievement but a divine gift, bestowed through Christ’s atoning work, which justifies sinners and reconciles them to God.

The phrase “revealed from faith to faith” underscores the dynamic and relational nature of this righteousness. The term “revealed” (apokalyptetai) evokes divine disclosure, as God unveils His saving righteousness in the Gospel, making known what was once hidden (Romans 16:25–26). The enigmatic expression “from faith to faith” has been interpreted variously, but it likely emphasizes the centrality of faith in both the reception and the ongoing experience of God’s righteousness. It may signify that righteousness is received through faith (from God’s faithfulness to human faith) and grows in faith (progressing from one degree of faith to another). Alternatively, it could reflect the universal scope of the Gospel, extending faith to all people, from Jew to Gentile. In any case, the phrase highlights faith as the sole means by which God’s righteousness is appropriated, excluding human works and grounding salvation in divine grace.

The citation, “as it is written, The just shall live by faith,” anchors Paul’s argument in the Old Testament, quoting Habakkuk 2:4. In its original context, Habakkuk’s prophecy addressed Judah’s crisis under impending judgment, declaring that the righteous would endure through steadfast trust in God. Paul reinterprets this text through the lens of the Gospel, applying it to the doctrine of justification by faith. The “just” are those declared righteous by God, not through their own merit but through faith in Christ, whose death and resurrection secure their right standing before God. The phrase “shall live” extends beyond mere survival to the fullness of eternal life, encompassing both present reconciliation and future glorification. This scriptural grounding affirms the continuity of God’s redemptive plan, as the faith that sustained the righteous in Habakkuk’s day finds its fulfillment in the faith that unites believers to Christ.

Theologically, Romans 1:17 stands as a clarion call to the doctrine of justification by faith, the cornerstone of Pauline theology and the Reformation’s rallying cry. The righteousness of God, revealed in the Gospel, is both forensic—declaring sinners righteous through Christ’s atonement—and transformative, enabling believers to live by faith in communion with God. The verse counters any notion of salvation by works, emphasizing that faith alone is the means by which God’s righteousness is received, a truth that liberates from the burden of self-justification. The movement “from faith to faith” reflects the dynamic nature of the Christian life, where faith is both the starting point and the ongoing posture of those who trust in God’s promises. The quotation from Habakkuk underscores the unity of Scripture, as the Old Testament’s call to faith finds its ultimate expression in the Gospel of Christ.

In the broader context of Romans, this verse serves as the thematic foundation for the epistle’s exposition of the Gospel. Paul elaborates on the righteousness of God in chapters 3–5, detailing how it is imputed through faith apart from the law (Romans 3:21–22), and applies it to both Jews and Gentiles, uniting them in one body through Christ (Romans 3:29–30). The verse also anticipates the contrast between God’s righteousness and His wrath, revealed against human sin (Romans 1:18), highlighting the urgency of the Gospel as the only remedy for humanity’s plight. The emphasis on faith as the means of salvation resonates throughout the New Testament, from Jesus’ call to believe (John 3:16) to the apostolic preaching of faith in the risen Christ (Acts 16:31).

In the wider scriptural narrative, Romans 1:17 fulfills the Old Testament’s anticipation of a righteousness that comes through faith, as seen in Abraham’s belief counted as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). The verse also connects to the prophetic hope of a new covenant, where God’s law is written on the heart (Jeremiah 31:33), and the promise of a Savior who brings salvation to all nations (Isaiah 52:10). In the New Testament, it aligns with the teaching that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4), and it foreshadows the eschatological hope where the righteous will shine in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43). The verse thus bridges the Testaments, proclaiming the unchanging truth that life with God is found through faith alone.

In conclusion, Romans 1:17 stands as a radiant proclamation of the Gospel’s power to reveal God’s righteousness, bestowed through faith and grounded in the testimony of Scripture. Its declaration of justification by faith unveils the heart of God’s redemptive plan, offering salvation to all who believe and transforming them into a people who live by trust in Him. Through its profound theology and scriptural resonance, the verse invites all to embrace the righteousness of God, to walk from faith to faith, and to find life in the One whose Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. In its timeless truth, Romans 1:17 beckons believers to rest in the grace of Christ, who justifies the ungodly and secures their eternal hope.

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Beloved brethren and sisters, I write to you this day that your hearts may be strengthened and your minds renewed, that your faith may be established upon the sure and eternal foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For in these days, as in every age, the righteousness of God is revealed to those who believe, and the just shall live by faith.

For it is written: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” — Romans 1:17.

O brethren, herein lies the heart of the gospel: the righteousness of God, not attained by human striving, not earned by works of the law, but revealed through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. This is the glorious good news which was preached to the nations, which the apostles declared with boldness, and which has been entrusted to us, that we too might proclaim it without shame.

Consider, beloved, what great grace has been shown to us. For we were dead in our trespasses and sins, far from the life of God, condemned under the just requirements of the law. None was righteous, no, not one; all had turned aside. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, sent forth His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, to condemn sin in the flesh. And now, by faith in His name, the righteousness of God is credited to all who believe.

This righteousness is not of our own doing; it is the gift of God. It is not the fruit of human merit, but the work of divine grace. It is revealed from faith to faith, from first to last, so that no man may boast before the Lord. As it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” We enter this life by faith; we walk this life by faith; we shall finish this race in faith, upheld by the mighty hand of our God.

Therefore, beloved, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. Let us not be drawn away by the deceitfulness of works-righteousness, nor by the vain philosophies of men, nor by the empty promises of this present world. Stand firm in the freedom for which Christ has set you free. Rejoice in the righteousness that comes from God through faith, and not by the works of the law.

And let this faith be living and active within you. For faith that is true works through love; it bears fruit in righteousness; it endures through trial; it perseveres unto the end. The just shall live by faith—not a faith of words only, but a faith that moves mountains, a faith that obeys the Word of God, a faith that looks to the unseen and trusts in the promises of the Almighty.

Brethren, remember that this gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. Therefore, do not be ashamed of it. Let the word of faith be upon your lips and in your hearts. Proclaim it boldly, teach it faithfully, and adorn it with lives of holiness and love. For there are many who still dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, who have not yet seen the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.

And know this also: that as the righteousness of God is revealed through faith, so too His faithfulness shall sustain you. The same God who called you is faithful, and He will do it. Though trials may come, though afflictions may press upon you, though the world may rage against you, yet the just shall live by faith. Walk therefore by faith, not by sight. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Finally, beloved, may your hearts be rooted and grounded in this truth: that Christ is your righteousness, your life, and your hope. Rest in Him. Rejoice in Him. Live for Him. And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Now unto Him who is able to strengthen you according to the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now revealed and made known to all nations, to bring about the obedience of faith—unto Him be glory forever through Jesus Christ.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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O Lord God Almighty, Most High and Eternal, whose throne is established in righteousness and whose judgments are true and altogether just, we come before You this day in reverence and thanksgiving, with hearts lifted in adoration and with voices humbled in praise. You are the God of salvation, who has made known Your righteousness in the sight of the nations, who has revealed Your mercy through the gospel of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For it is written: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” O Lord, how marvelous is this truth, how glorious is this grace, that we who were once dead in trespasses and sins might now be made alive through faith in the risen Christ. We bless You, O Father, that You have not left us to seek a righteousness of our own, which we could never attain, but have granted to us the perfect righteousness of Your beloved Son, imputed to us by faith alone.

O God of mercy, we confess that we are unworthy of such a gift. Our best deeds are but filthy rags before You. Our hearts have strayed; our minds have been darkened; our strength has been spent in vain pursuits. Yet in Your great love, You have drawn us to Yourself; You have opened our eyes to behold the beauty of the gospel; You have granted us faith to believe and to receive the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Therefore, O Lord, grant that we may ever live by this faith. Let us not trust in ourselves nor in the works of our hands, but in Christ alone. May we be found in Him, not having a righteousness of our own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

Strengthen us, O Lord, that our faith may not falter when trials arise. Teach us to walk by faith and not by sight, to trust Your promises even when the way is hidden from our eyes. Let the assurance of Your Word be our anchor, the hope of Your gospel be our song, the power of Your Spirit be our strength. When the enemy would accuse us, remind us that our righteousness is not our own, but the unchanging righteousness of Christ. When our hearts condemn us, remind us that You are greater than our hearts and that Your truth endures forever.

O God, make us a people whose lives reflect the righteousness we have received. Let the fruit of true faith abound among us—love that is sincere, joy that is full, peace that surpasses understanding, patience in affliction, kindness in word and deed, goodness without pretense, faithfulness unto the end, gentleness of spirit, and self-control in all things. May the testimony of Your grace in us be a light to those around us, that they too might be drawn to the hope of the gospel.

We pray, O Lord, for those who have not yet known this righteousness. Open the eyes of the blind; soften the hearts of the proud; awaken the dead to life. Send forth laborers into the harvest; empower the preaching of the gospel; grant repentance unto life and faith unto salvation. Let the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

And for Your Church, O Lord, grant that we may never be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. Let us proclaim it boldly, clearly, and with compassion. Guard us against false gospels that would add to or take away from the sufficiency of Christ. Keep us steadfast in the truth, that in every generation the glorious message of justification by faith alone might be preserved and proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Now unto You, O God of righteousness and of grace, who has revealed Your glory through the gospel and granted us life through faith—unto You be all praise and honor, dominion and power, both now and forevermore.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.