Romans 3:26

Amplified Bible

It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].

Parallel Translations

Revised Standard Version
it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
to shewe at this tyme ye rightewesnes yt is alowed of him yt he myght be couted iuste and a iustifiar of him which belevith on Iesus.

Hebrew Names Version
to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Yeshua.

International Standard Version
He wantedHe wanted">[fn] to demonstrate at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the person who has the faithfulness of Jesus.faith in Jesus">[fn]

New American Standard Bible
for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

New Century Version
And God gave Jesus to show today that he does what is right. God did this so he could judge rightly and so he could make right any person who has faith in Jesus.

Update Bible Version
for the showing, [I say], of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that has faith in Jesus.

Webster's Bible Translation
To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he may be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus.

English Standard Version
It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

World English Bible
to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I say, of his righteousness in this present time, that he might be just, and yet the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.

Weymouth's New Testament
with a view to demonstrating, at the present time, His righteousness, that He may be shown to be righteous Himself, and the giver of righteousness to those who believe in Jesus.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
in the beryng up of God, to the schewyng of his riytwisnesse in this tyme, that he be iust, and iustifyynge hym that is of the feith of Jhesu Crist.

English Revised Version
for the shewing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.

Berean Standard Bible
He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

American Standard Version
for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.

Bible in Basic English
And to make clear his righteousness now, so that he might himself be upright, and give righteousness to him who has faith in Jesus.

Complete Jewish Bible
and it vindicates his righteousness in the present age by showing that he is righteous himself and is also the one who makes people righteous on the ground of Yeshua's faithfulness.

Darby Translation
for [the] shewing forth of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just, and justify him that is of [the] faith of Jesus.

Etheridge Translation
unto the manifestation of his righteousness which (is) in this time: that he might be just, and might justify in righteousness him who is in the faith of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha.

Murdock Translation
in the space which God in his long suffering gave to us, for the manifestation of his righteousness at the present time; that he might be righteous, and might with righteousness justify him who is in the faith of our Lord Jesus Messiah.

King James Version (1611)
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousnesse: that hee might bee iust, and the iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesus.

New Living Translation
for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

New Life Bible
But now God proves that He is right in saving men from sin. He shows that He is the One Who has no sin. God makes anyone right with Himself who puts his trust in Jesus.

New Revised Standard
it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Through the patience of God, to shewe at this time his righteousnesse, that hee might be iust, and a iustifier of him which is of the faith of Iesus.

George Lamsa Translation
By the opportunity which God has given us through his forbearance, for the manifestation of his righteousness at the present time, that he might be declared righteous; and for the justification of righteousness to him who is in the faith of our LORD Jesus Christ.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
In the forbearance of God, - with a view to a showing forth of his righteousness in the present season, that he might be righteous even when declaring righteous him that hath faith in Jesus.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Through the forbearance of God, for the shewing of his justice in this time: that he himself may be just and the justifier of him who is of the faith of Jesus Christ

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Which God dyd suffer, to shew at this tyme his righteousnes, that he might be iuste, & the iustifier of hym which beleueth on Iesus.

Christian Standard Bible®
God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.

King James Version
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Lexham English Bible
in the forbearance of God, for the demonstration of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just and the one who justifies the person by faith in Jesus.

Literal Translation
for a demonstration of His righteousness in the present time, for His being just and justifying the one that is of the faith of Jesus.

Young's Literal Translation
for the shewing forth of His righteousness in the present time, for His being righteous, and declaring him righteous who [is] of the faith of Jesus.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
that at this tyme he mighte shewe ye righteousnes which avayleth before him: yt he onely mighte be righteous, & the righteous maker of him which is of the faith on Iesus.

Mace New Testament (1729)
I say, his goodness at this time: that he might appear to be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.

New English Translation
This was also to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus' faithfulness.

New King James Version
to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Simplified Cowboy Version
God knew what he was going to do with his son. That sacrifice covered everyone before and after. God did this to show he does the right thing every time. He makes even sorry cowboys flawless in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Legacy Standard Bible
for the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Contextual Overview

¹⁹Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment]. ²⁰For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin]. ²¹But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. ²²This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God's Son]. There is no distinction, ²³since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus' crucifixion]. ²⁶It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].²⁷Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith. ²⁸For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

that he: Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalms 85:10, Psalms 85:11, Isaiah 42:21, Isaiah 45:21, Zephaniah 3:5, Zephaniah 3:15, Zechariah 9:9, Acts 13:38, Acts 13:39, Revelation 15:3

and: Romans 3:30, Romans 4:5, Romans 8:33, Galatians 3:8-14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 12:7 - make Job 36:3 - ascribe Psalms 116:5 - and righteous Psalms 145:17 - righteous Isaiah 33:5 - The Lord Isaiah 42:6 - called Jeremiah 9:24 - lovingkindness Micah 6:5 - know John 11:51 - that Jesus John 17:25 - righteous Romans 3:5 - But if Romans 3:25 - to declare Romans 3:28 - General Romans 4:11 - father Romans 5:1 - being Romans 10:3 - God's righteousness Romans 10:19 - I say Romans 15:8 - I say 1 Corinthians 6:11 - but ye are justified Hebrews 2:10 - it Hebrews 7:2 - King of righteousness Hebrews 11:40 - they without 1 John 1:9 - just 1 John 2:2 - he is 1 John 4:10 - and sent

Gill's Notes on the Bible

To declare, I say, at this time, his righteousness,.... This end is further explained, it being to declare the righteousness of God "at this time", under the Gospel dispensation; in which there was such a display of the grace, mercy, and goodness of God:

that he might be just; that is, appear to be so: God is naturally and essentially just in himself; and he is evidentially so in all his works, particularly in redemption by Christ; and when and while he is

the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus: Jesus, the Saviour, is the object of faith, as he is the Lord our righteousness; the believer in Jesus is a real, and not a nominal one; God is the justifier of such in a declarative way, and God only, though not to the exclusion of the Son and Spirit; and which sentence of justification is pronounced by him on the foot of a perfect righteousness, which neither law nor justice can find fault with, but entirely approve of; and so he appears just and righteous, even though he justifies the sinner and the ungodly.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

At this time - The time now since the Saviour has come, now is the time when he manifests it.

That he might be just - This verse contains the substance of the gospel. The word “just” here does not mean benevolent, or merciful, though it may sometimes have that meaning; see the Matthew 1:19 note, also John 17:25 note. But it refers to the fact that God had retained the integrity of his character as a moral governor; that he had shown a due regard to his Law, and to the penalty of the Law by his plan of salvation. Should he forgive sinners without an atonement, justice would be sacrificed and abandoned. The Law would cease to have any terrors for the guilty, and its penalty would be a nullity. In the plan of salvation, therefore, he has shown a regard to the Law by appointing his Son to be a substitute in the place of sinners; not to endure its precise penalty, for his sufferings were not eternal, nor were they attended with remorse of conscience, or by despair, which are the proper penalty of the Law; but he endured so much as to accomplish the same ends as if those who shall be saved by him had been doomed to eternal death.

That is, he showed that the Law could not be violated without introducing suffering; and that it could not be broken with impunity. He showed that he had so great a regard for it, that he would not pardon one sinner without an atonement. And thus he secured the proper honor to his character as a lover of his Law, a hater of sin, and a just God. He has shown that if sinners do not avail themselves of the offer of pardon by Jesus Christ, they must experience in their own souls forever the pains which this substitute for sinners endured in behalf of people on the cross. Thus, no principle of justice has been abandoned; no threatening has been modified; no claim of his Law has been let down; no disposition has been evinced to do injustice to the universe by suffering the guilty to escape. He is, in all this great Transaction, a just moral governor, as just to his Law, to himself, to his Son, to the universe, when he pardons, as he is when he sends the incorrigible sinner down to hell. A full compensation, an equivalent, has been provided by the sufferings of the Saviour in the sinner’s stead, and the sinner may be pardoned.

And the justifier of him ... - Greek, “Even justifying him that believeth, etc.” This is the uniqueness and the wonder of the gospel. Even while pardoning, and treating the ill-deserving as if they were innocent, he can retain his pure and holy character. His treating the guilty with favor does not show that be loves guilt and pollution, for he has expressed his abhorrence of it in the atonement. His admitting them to friendship and heaven does not show that he approves their past conduct and character, for he showed how much he hated even their sins by giving his Son to a shameful death for them. When an executive pardons offenders, there is an abandonment of the principles of justice and law. The sentence is set aside; the threatenings of the law are departed from; and it is done without compensation. It is declared that in certain cases the law may be violated, and its penalty “not” be inflicted. But not so with God. He shows no less regard to his law in pardoning than in punishing. This is the grand, glorious, special feature of the gospel plan of salvation.

Him which believeth in Jesus - Greek, “Him who is of the faith of Jesus;” in contradistinction from him who is of the works of the Law; that is, who depends on his own works for salvation.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 26. To declare, I say, at this time — To manifest now, by the dispensation of the Gospel, his righteousness, his infinite mercy; and to manifest it in such a way, that he might still appear to be the just God, and yet the justifier, the pardoner, of him who believeth in Jesus. Here we learn that God designed to give the most evident displays both of his justice and mercy. Of his justice, in requiring a sacrifice, and absolutely refusing to give salvation to a lost world in any other way; and of his mercy, in providing THE sacrifice which his justice required. Thus, because Jesus was an atonement, a ransom price, for the sin of the world, therefore God can, consistently with his justice, pardon every soul that believeth in Jesus. This is the full discovery of God's righteousness, of his wonderful method of magnifying his law and making it honourable; of showing the infinite purity of his justice, and of saving a lost world.

Hitherto, from the ninth verse, Romans 3:9 the apostle had gone on without interruption, proving that Jew and Gentile were in a state of guilt and condemnation, and that they could be saved only by the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The Jew, finding his boasted privileges all at stake, interrupts him, and asks:-