Day 2 of 21
The Righteousness of God Revealed
The Gospel's Central Claim
Scripture Readings
Today's Reading
Read Romans 1:16-17 again, slowly: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'"
Then read Psalm 98:2-3: "The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel."
Reflection
We pause on Romans 1:16-17 for a second day because these two verses are the thesis of the entire letter. Every chapter that follows is an unpacking of what Paul means here.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel." In a world where the message of a crucified Jewish Messiah seemed foolish to Greeks and scandalous to Jews, Paul declares it boldly: the gospel is "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." Not a philosophy. Not a moral system. Power — divine power that accomplishes what no human effort can.
The phrase "to the Jew first and also to the Greek" is not casual. It reflects the entire structure of Romans. Paul will show that Jews and Gentiles alike stand under God's judgment (1:18–3:20), that both are justified by the same faith (3:21–4:25), and that God's purposes for Israel and the nations are woven together in one grand story (chapters 9-11).
The critical phrase is "the righteousness of God." N.T. Wright has argued that this language draws on the Old Testament concept of God's covenant faithfulness — His commitment to set things right.
"The 'righteousness of God' in Romans is not simply an attribute that God possesses. It is something God does — his saving action, his covenant faithfulness, his determination to set the world right."
Psalm 98 uses similar language: God has "revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations" — His saving action, displayed publicly, fulfilling His covenant promises. Paul sees the gospel as the climactic revelation of this righteousness.
John Calvin, reading from the Reformation perspective, emphasizes the gift dimension:
"The righteousness which is of faith in Jesus Christ is a perfect righteousness... It is not a righteousness of our own making but a righteousness given to us — the righteousness of God himself."
Both emphases are valid and necessary. God's righteousness is His faithfulness to His covenant promises (Wright) and His gift of right standing to those who believe (Calvin). In the gospel, God demonstrates that He is righteous and He makes people righteous — both at once.
Going Deeper
"From faith for faith" — the entire Christian life is a life of faith. Faith is not the entry ticket that you use once and put away. It is the posture from start to finish. The righteous shall live by faith — not just begin by faith but continue by faith, daily receiving the righteousness that only God can give. Today, consider: Where are you trying to earn what God has already given?
Key Quotes
“The 'righteousness of God' in Romans is not simply an attribute that God possesses. It is something God does — his saving action, his covenant faithfulness, his determination to set the world right.”
“The righteousness which is of faith in Jesus Christ is a perfect righteousness... It is not a righteousness of our own making but a righteousness given to us — the righteousness of God himself.”
Prayer Focus
Thanking God that the gospel is not a demand for your righteousness but a revelation of His righteousness — given freely to all who believe
Meditation
Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed 'from faith for faith.' What does it mean that faith is both the starting point and the ongoing posture of the Christian life?
Question for Discussion
How might the meaning of 'the righteousness of God' change depending on whether you read it as an attribute God possesses or as an action God performs — and does your community tend to emphasize one over the other?