‏ Romans 3:28

Observe here, 1. The conclusion drawn by the apostle, from all that he had been discoursing of in the foregoing chapters: namely, that God's way of justification of a guilty sinner is not by works, done by him, but by faith in the Mediator, who hath satisfied the justice of God for him: Therfore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Learn hence, That justifictation from our past sins is by faith alone, without respect to any works of ours, done either before or since conversion.

Observe, 2. How the apostle doth extend his proposition universally to all sorts of persons, Jews and Gentiles; that is, the whole race of mankind; affirming, that God will justify circumcised believers, and uncirmcumcised believers, one and the same way, even by the way of grace and faith: It is one God which justifieth the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Where note, The argument is drawn from the unity or oneness of God, which is not to be understood so much of the unity of his essence and nature, as of his will and purpose; yet as God is one and the same unchangeable God in his nature, so is he as immutable in his will and purpose. Having therefore determined and declared his way of justifying all sinners to be one and the same to all nations, both Jew and Gentile, even by faith alone in his Son Christ Jesus; no other way is to be expected from that God who is unchangeable in his purpose.

Learn thence, That God's way and method of justifying all sinners, Jews and Gentiles, great and small, is, and ever will be the same, namely, by faith alone, without works. What false notions soever men may entertain in their minds about it, and when the pride of men has arraigned the wisdom of God never so much, the apostle's conclusion will remain like a rock unshaken, Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom 3:28

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