Page 39 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

(the righteousness that is valid before God, an attitude of God, or something God does) and
subjective genitive (genitive of source- righteousness from God – what He provides).

• Fourthly, Dunn states that “the righteousness of God” is not much to do with His wrath as it is to
do with His love since it is being revealed in the good news. While Schreiner argues that the
saving and judging righteousness of God find their resolution in the gospel.

Conclusion:
The phrase, “the righteousness of God (1:17), has its roots in the Old Testament understanding of God’
faithfulness in maintaining His covenant with His people (Israel) which is now being revealed in the
saving power of the gospel to all humankind. This could either be the righteousness of who He is/what
He does, or what He provides in keeping with His character. Much as this is the saving righteousness, it
is a judging righteousness of God also, which finds itself in the unified understanding of the gospel.

Summary of chapters 1:17-4:25

The quotation of Habakkuk 2:4 finds its presence in Rom 1:17. In a sense that the righteousness of God
is imputed through Faith (1:18-4:25). The need for God’s righteousness is caused by the universal reign of
sin (1:18-3:20). We also see the revelation of God’s wrath upon the Gentile world (1:18-32), as well as
God’s righteous judgment on the ‘Jew first’ (2:1-3:8). Paul concludes the argument with the guilt of all
mankind (3:9-20), and the provision of God’s righteousness by faith (3:21-4:25).

Can we take a close look at Justification as discussed in chapter (3:21 – 26)?

The heart of the matter: Means, manner and ground of justification (3:21 – 26)
A). The means of justification (3:21 – 22): Through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.
B). The manner of Justification (3:23 – 24a): by his grace as a gift,
C). The ground of justification (3:24b – 25):
i. Redemption: that is in Christ Jesus,
ii. Propitiation: by his blood, to be received by faith.
D). The final intent of justification (3:26): to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He
might be just and the justifier (vindicate).

Excursus: The Paradigmatic Faith of Abraham (Rom 4:17b – 25)

In the chapter given above, Paul uses Abraham as an example of the pattern of faith that we are all to
emulate. Here are the ways in which Paul expresses Abraham’s paradigmatic faith:

A. “Abraham was made the father of many nations because he believed in the presence of God”
(V4:17)

B. “In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations,” (V4:18)

C. “He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead . . . or
when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.” (V4:19)

D. “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith . . .
That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness.” (V4:20-22)

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