Audio commentary on this verse

Note 2 at Rom. 3:22: Paul makes an even clearer presentation of this truth in Romans 9:30-10:9. The Jews were seeking to produce their own righteousness that was according to their holy actions that conformed to the law. Paul is speaking of a different type of righteousness-not a human righteousness that was flawed, but the perfect righteousness of God Himself.

Through faith in Jesus, we can receive the very righteousness of God as a gift (2 Cor. 5:21). God's righteousness is infinitely more in quality and quantity than man's puny righteousness (Isa. 64:6). No one can ever be justified in the sight of God based on his own righteousness which comes through acts of holiness. One must have God's righteousness which only comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Paul said in Philippians 3:9, "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." This is "the righteousness of God" which Paul is referring to here.

Note 3 at Rom. 3:22: Notice that Paul did not say that this righteousness of God came by faith in Jesus Christ. No, it comes by the faith of Jesus Christ. There is a big difference.

Our faith does not produce our righteousness. Jesus obtained righteousness (the perfect righteousness of God) through His faith and offers it to everyone who will believe on Him as Lord. Therefore, our faith (which is also a gift from God-Eph. 2:8) just receives what Jesus has already obtained for us through His faith. Jesus obtained our justification and righteousness through His faith (Gal. 2:16).

Note 4 at Rom. 3:22: The only difference between Jew and Gentile, or the moral and immoral, is in the sight of men. From God's point of view there is no difference. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23; Jas. 2:10).