Romans 1:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

NIV: For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

NASB: For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: 'BUT THE RIGHTEOUS one will live by faith.'

CSB: For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

NLT: This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, 'It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'

KJV: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

NKJV: For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

This, together with the previous verse, is often referred to as the central theme of the book of Romans. Paul has declared boldly that he is not ashamed of the gospel. Why? It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).

Now Paul describes what the gospel does. In the gospel, the righteousness of God is "revealed," in one sense, in that it is given to human beings by their faith in Christ. In other words, God declares human beings to be righteous in His eyes because of their faith. The words "from faith to faith" likely mean that this declaration of people being righteous is by faith from first to last, from start to finish.

As Romans will make abundantly clear, people cannot be declared righteous before God by following the law. Good works and ritual obedience do nothing to make us right with God. And if we are not declared righteous in God's eyes—a condition referred to as being "justified"—then we cannot be with God. We are separated from Him forever because of our sinfulness. However, according to the gospel, Christ died to pay the penalty of death and separation from God for our sins on the cross. When we trust in Christ, God sees us through Christ and declares us to be "righteous" or "justified."

Paul put the same idea this way in Philippians 3:8–9: "that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

This is God's gospel: God's "good news" for humanity. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 to show this is not a new idea: "The righteous shall live by his faith."

Romans 1:16–17 is often used as the key verses to summarize the book of Romans. Paul declares boldly why he is not ashamed of the gospel about Jesus that he preaches around the world. This message is nothing less than the power of God for everyone who believes, both Jews and Gentiles. It is about being declared righteous by God because of our faith in Him.

Romans 1 introduces Paul and his purpose in writing this letter to the Christians in Rome. As servant and apostle of Jesus, Paul's mission in life is to preach the gospel of Jesus to all people groups, both Jews and Gentiles. He hopes to do so in Rome soon. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. It is God's power for the salvation of all people by faith in Christ. We need to be saved because God is angry with us. Because of our sin, humanity has rejected Him as creator and provider. We worship created things, instead. In response, God has given us over to indulge in all kinds of sinful practices that lead to misery now and His angry judgment later.

Romans 1 begins with Paul's introduction of himself and his mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After telling the Christians in Rome that he is eager to come see them and preach the gospel there, Paul declares that the gospel is God's power to save everyone who believes in Jesus. We need to be saved, because our sin has earned God's wrath. As a whole, humanity has rejected God as creator and provider. We worship creation instead of Him. In response, He has given us over to the full indulgence of our sinful desires. We are guilty and deserve His judgment.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.