Romans 3:22 – “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.”

Extended Explanation

This verse builds on what Paul introduced in Romans 3:21—God has revealed a way to be made right with Him apart from the Law. Now, in verse 22, Paul makes it clear how this righteousness is received: through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul emphasizes that righteousness is not something people earn—it is something given. It comes as a gift from God, and the only way to receive it is through faith in Jesus. Faith is not just believing that Jesus exists; it is trusting in Him completely—relying on His life, death, and resurrection to make us right with God.

Paul also makes an important point: this righteousness is available to everyone. It is not limited to one group of people. “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” This was a radical statement in Paul’s time. Jews had received the Law and had historically seen themselves as God’s chosen people. Gentiles had been outsiders, separated from the promises of God. But Paul says that both groups are on equal ground—both are sinners (as he explained in Romans 3:9), and both need the same salvation that comes through faith in Christ.

This verse is a turning point in the message of Romans. It declares that righteousness is freely available to all people, regardless of background, through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Historical Context

In Paul’s time, there was a deep divide between Jews and Gentiles. Many Jewish believers struggled with the idea that Gentiles could be accepted by God without first following Jewish laws and customs. They believed that obedience to the Law of Moses was what made someone righteous.

Paul is correcting this misunderstanding. He is saying that righteousness has never been about following the Law—it has always been about faith. Even in the Old Testament, people like Abraham were made right with God because they believed Him (Genesis 15:6).

For Gentiles, this message was revolutionary. They had been excluded from Jewish religious life, and many probably thought they had no chance of being accepted by God. But Paul declares that salvation is for everyone, not just for those who were born into the Jewish nation.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches some of the most important truths about salvation:

1. Righteousness comes by faith, not works. No amount of good deeds, religious rituals, or moral effort can make a person righteous. Only faith in Jesus Christ can.
2. Salvation is for everyone. There are no racial, cultural, or social barriers in God’s kingdom. Anyone who believes in Jesus can be saved.
3. Faith is the key. It is not about how much we know, how well we behave, or how religious we are. What matters is trusting in Jesus Christ.

This verse also reinforces the idea of justification by faith—the belief that God declares a person righteous, not because of what they do, but because of what Christ has done.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording in this verse is carefully chosen:

• “This righteousness is given” – The righteousness that makes us right with God is not something we achieve. It is something God freely gives.
• “Through faith in Jesus Christ” – Faith is the means by which we receive this gift. It is not faith in ourselves, in religion, or in good works, but in Jesus Christ alone.
• “To all who believe” – The offer is open to everyone. It does not matter what someone’s background is—salvation is available to all.
• “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile” – Paul levels the playing field. No one has a special advantage or disadvantage when it comes to receiving salvation.

This verse is both inclusive and exclusive: inclusive because it is available to all, exclusive because it is only through faith in Jesus Christ.

Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Even in the Old Testament, righteousness came by faith.)
• Romans 10:12-13 – “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Paul repeats this truth later in Romans.)
• Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Salvation is available to all.)
• Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Salvation is a gift, not something we earn.)
• John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Faith in Christ is the only requirement for salvation.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse has a direct impact on how we view salvation, ourselves, and others.

1. It reminds us that salvation is a gift. Many people still believe they must earn God’s favor by doing good works, attending church, or following religious traditions. But Paul makes it clear: righteousness is given through faith in Jesus.
2. It challenges us to share the gospel with all people. If righteousness is available to “all who believe,” then we should never think of anyone as beyond God’s reach. No matter their past, race, or background, they can receive salvation.
3. It unites us as believers. There is no room for pride or division in the church. Whether someone has grown up in church or just came to Christ, all believers stand on equal ground before God.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse is a beautiful expression of God’s love. He does not require people to reach a certain level of goodness before accepting them. Instead, He offers righteousness as a gift to anyone who will receive it through faith in Jesus.

God’s love is seen in the fact that He does not discriminate. He does not play favorites. He opens the door of salvation to every person, no matter who they are or what they have done.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is at the center of this verse. Faith in Him is the only way to receive righteousness.

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (Jesus became our substitute, taking our sin and giving us His righteousness.)
• John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jesus is the only way to God.)
• Acts 4:12 – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Faith in Jesus is the only way to be saved.)

Jesus did everything necessary for our salvation. Our role is simply to believe in Him and receive the righteousness that He freely gives.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach us about how righteousness is received?
2. Why is it important to understand that salvation is for all people, not just a certain group?
3. How does this verse challenge the idea that people can be saved by being “good enough”?
4. In what ways can we share the message of this verse with those who do not yet believe?
5. How does knowing that righteousness is a gift affect the way you relate to God?

Romans 3:22 is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible because it declares the heart of the gospel: righteousness is given, not earned, and it is available to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. This is the good news that changes everything.