Sermons on Romans 3:20-22

Romans 3:20-22 Interpretation:

God's Grace: Hope for the Unworthy and Marginalized (Journey Church Fremont) interprets Romans 3:20-22 by emphasizing the futility of trying to achieve righteousness through religious rule-keeping, especially for those who feel unworthy, inadequate, or unloved. The sermon uses the Greek word "pisteo" to explain that faith in Jesus is not mere intellectual assent but a deep trust and dependency, shifting the weight of one’s confidence from self-effort to Christ. The preacher employs the analogy of religion being spelled "D-O" (do) and relationship with Christ being spelled "D-O-N-E" (done), highlighting that salvation is about what Christ has accomplished, not what we do. The sermon also draws a vivid parallel between the shepherds’ exclusion from religious life and the universal human experience of feeling unworthy, showing that the law’s purpose is to reveal our need for a rescuer, not to provide a ladder to God.

The Law's Purpose: Leading Us to Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) offers a detailed and unique interpretation of Romans 3:20-22 by arguing that the law was never intended as a possible means of salvation but was given to reveal the utter impossibility of achieving righteousness by human effort. The preacher asserts that the law’s true function is to expose the depth of human sinfulness and to "shut us up" to the only hope—grace through Christ. The sermon uses the metaphor of the law as a "schoolmaster" (from the Greek "paidagogos") whose role is to lead us to Christ by making us aware of our helplessness. The preacher also critiques both legalism and the tendency among evangelicals to dismiss the law entirely, insisting that the law must be preached rightly—not as a checklist for salvation, but as a mirror to our need for grace.

Confronting Sin: The Path to Healing and Grace (Alistair Begg) interprets Romans 3:20-22 by focusing on the futility of trying to achieve righteousness through the law, using the analogy of Martin Luther’s personal struggle with conscience and the law. Begg uniquely highlights the psychological and spiritual torment Luther experienced as he tried to earn God’s favor, only to realize through Romans 3:20-22 that the law’s true function is to expose sin, not to provide a path to righteousness. The sermon draws a vivid metaphor of God’s “heavy hand” upon the conscience, likening it to a physical wound that becomes more apparent under pressure, and argues that this heaviness is both dreadful and wonderful because it drives a person to seek grace. Begg also emphasizes the phrase “but now” in the passage, marking a dramatic shift from law to grace, and underscores that righteousness is a gift from God, not a human achievement, which is a realization that transformed Luther’s understanding and, by extension, the Protestant Reformation.

Conviction, Righteousness, and Freedom Through the Holy Spirit (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets Romans 3:20-22 by connecting it to the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Smith offers a unique linguistic insight by tracing the English word “sin” to its archery origins—missing the mark—and then relates this to the Greek word “hamartia,” reinforcing the idea that all have missed the mark of God’s perfection. He further interprets the passage by explaining that the law’s purpose is to reveal sin, not to justify, and that true righteousness is only available through faith in Jesus Christ. Smith uses the analogy of a courtroom, where the only issue at judgment is one’s relationship to Christ, and asserts that even a lifetime of near-perfection is nullified by a single sin, thus making the imputed righteousness of Christ the only hope for salvation.

Romans 3:20-22 Theological Themes:

God's Grace: Hope for the Unworthy and Marginalized (Journey Church Fremont) introduces the theme that Christianity is fundamentally distinct from all other religions because it is not about human effort or rule-keeping but about receiving a righteousness that is "apart from the law" through faith in Christ. The sermon adds a pastoral dimension by connecting this to the experience of marginalized people (like the shepherds), showing that the gospel is especially good news for those who have been excluded by religious systems. It also explores the psychological and spiritual impact of the law, which is to make us aware of our need for rescue, not to provide a means of self-improvement.

The Law's Purpose: Leading Us to Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) presents the theme that the law’s ultimate purpose is to drive us to despair of self-salvation and to cast ourselves entirely on Christ. The sermon uniquely frames the law as a "schoolmaster" whose job is to "shut us up"—to silence all self-justification and pride—so that we are prepared to receive grace. It also addresses the error of both legalism and antinomianism, arguing that the law is not abolished but fulfilled and rightly used when it leads to Christ. The preacher further develops the idea that the law’s demands are so exalted (requiring perfect love for God and neighbor) that no one can meet them, thus making grace not just necessary but the only hope.

Confronting Sin: The Path to Healing and Grace (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme that God’s “heavy hand” of conviction is not merely punitive but is a gracious act intended to drive sinners to grace, a nuance that reframes conviction as a form of divine mercy rather than just judgment. Begg also presents the idea that grace is not for “imaginary sinners” but for real, broken people, quoting Luther to emphasize that grace heals the sick rather than decorating spiritual heroes, which challenges the common notion of grace as a reward for the already virtuous.

Conviction, Righteousness, and Freedom Through the Holy Spirit (Pastor Chuck Smith) adds a distinct facet by focusing on the Holy Spirit’s ongoing role in convicting individuals not just of generic sin, but specifically of the sin of unbelief in Christ, which he claims is the only unforgivable sin because it rejects the sole provision for salvation. Smith also develops the theme that the righteousness required for entrance into God’s kingdom is not merely moral improvement but the very righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to believers by faith, and that the Holy Spirit’s witness is essential for both conviction and assurance of this righteousness.

Romans 3:20-22 Historical and Contextual Insights:

God's Grace: Hope for the Unworthy and Marginalized (Journey Church Fremont) provides historical context about the social status of shepherds in first-century Judea, explaining that they were considered unworthy, inadequate, and unloved—excluded from religious life and labeled as unclean and untrustworthy. This context is used to illustrate the radical nature of the gospel’s announcement to the marginalized and to connect the experience of the shepherds to the message of Romans 3:20-22.

The Law's Purpose: Leading Us to Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) offers extensive historical and cultural context regarding the Jewish understanding of the law in both Old and New Testament times. The sermon explains how the law was mediated through Moses and angels, and how the Jewish people misunderstood its purpose, turning it into a means of self-justification. The preacher also references the debates in the early church (e.g., Acts 15) about whether Gentile converts should be placed under the law, highlighting the ongoing struggle to understand the law’s role in salvation history.

Confronting Sin: The Path to Healing and Grace (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by recounting Martin Luther’s personal and theological journey during the Reformation, illustrating how Luther’s struggle with the law and conscience led to his breakthrough understanding of Romans 3:20-22. Begg situates Luther’s experience within the broader context of medieval Catholicism’s emphasis on works and penance, showing how the rediscovery of justification by faith alone was both a personal and ecclesiastical revolution. He also references the Old Testament context of God’s holiness and judgment, drawing on examples like Moses at the burning bush and the deaths in 1 Samuel 6 to highlight the seriousness of approaching a holy God, which sets the stage for the radical nature of the righteousness revealed “apart from the law.”

Conviction, Righteousness, and Freedom Through the Holy Spirit (Pastor Chuck Smith) offers a brief historical-linguistic insight by explaining the etymology of the English word “sin” from an old English archery game, connecting it to the Greek “hamartia,” and thus providing a cross-cultural understanding of the concept of sin as “missing the mark.” This not only grounds the biblical concept in everyday experience but also bridges ancient and modern understandings of human failure before God’s standard.

Romans 3:20-22 Cross-References in the Bible:

God's Grace: Hope for the Unworthy and Marginalized (Journey Church Fremont) references the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where Jesus equates lust with adultery, to illustrate the impossibility of keeping the law perfectly and the need for a savior. The sermon also alludes to the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts (regarding honesty in church), and to the birth narratives in Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1, connecting the experience of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds to the universal need for grace. Additionally, the preacher references the crucifixion narrative, emphasizing Jesus’ final words, "It is finished," as the completion of the work required for salvation.

Valuing Biblical Relationships: Holiness Through Grace (Hopelands Church) cross-references Romans 6 (on not continuing in sin so that grace may abound), Matthew 5:17 (Jesus fulfilling the law), Titus 2 (grace teaching us to live godly lives), Colossians 3:17 (doing all in the name of Jesus), 1 Corinthians 6 and 13 (on sexual purity and the nature of love), 1 Thessalonians 4 (living to please God), 1 Peter (calling to holiness), Philippians 4 (guarding heart and mind), and Psalm 51 (prayer for a clean heart). These references are used to support the idea that grace empowers holy living and that relationships should honor God, but the sermon’s treatment of Romans 3:20-22 is not as developed as in the other two sermons.

The Law's Purpose: Leading Us to Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) makes extensive use of cross-references, including John 1:17 (law through Moses, grace through Christ), Galatians 3 (the law as a schoolmaster, the promise to Abraham, and the impossibility of salvation by law), Romans 8:3 (the law’s inability to save due to human weakness), Romans 7 (the struggle with sin and the law), Romans 13:10 (love as the fulfillment of the law), James 2:10 (breaking one part of the law is breaking all), Acts 15:10 (the law as an unbearable yoke), and 1 Timothy 1:8-11 (the lawful use of the law). Each reference is used to build the case that the law’s purpose is to reveal sin and lead to Christ, not to provide a path to self-righteousness.

Confronting Sin: The Path to Healing and Grace (Alistair Begg) references several biblical passages to expand on Romans 3:20-22. He cites Psalm 38:4 and Psalm 7 to illustrate the burden and seriousness of guilt and God’s righteous indignation, using these to show the continuity between Old and New Testament understandings of sin and judgment. Begg also references 1 Samuel 6 to pose the question of who can stand before a holy God, and Acts 17 and 24 to show how Paul preached about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to both crowds and individuals, emphasizing the universality of the need for grace. He alludes to Psalm 32 and the concept of cumulative truth, showing how Old Testament mechanisms of forgiveness (like the scapegoat) find their fulfillment in Christ, thus tying the testimony of “the Law and the Prophets” to the revelation of righteousness in Romans 3:21-22.

Conviction, Righteousness, and Freedom Through the Holy Spirit (Pastor Chuck Smith) references a wide array of biblical passages to support his interpretation of Romans 3:20-22. He cites John 16:7-11 to explain the Holy Spirit’s role in conviction, Ephesians 2:8-9 to affirm salvation by grace through faith, Romans 11 to contrast grace and works, and Hebrews 4:15 and 7:26, as well as 1 Peter 2:21-22, to establish the sinlessness of Christ as the standard of righteousness. Smith also references James 2:10 to argue that breaking the law at one point makes one guilty of all, and Colossians 2 to describe Christ’s victory over the powers of darkness. He uses Revelation 20 and Ecclesiastes to describe the final judgment, and Romans 2 to assert the impartiality of God’s judgment, all to reinforce the necessity of Christ’s righteousness for salvation.

Romans 3:20-22 Christian References outside the Bible:

God's Grace: Hope for the Unworthy and Marginalized (Journey Church Fremont) explicitly references Mother Teresa, describing her as someone who, despite her extraordinary acts of charity and self-sacrifice, repeatedly confessed her own sinfulness. The preacher uses her example to illustrate that even the most saintly individuals recognize their need for grace, reinforcing the message of Romans 3:20-22 that no one is righteous by their own efforts. The sermon also mentions Hale Donaldson (founder of Convoy of Hope) in connection with Mother Teresa, highlighting her humility and self-denial as evidence that good works, however impressive, are not the basis for justification before God.

Confronting Sin: The Path to Healing and Grace (Alistair Begg) explicitly references Martin Luther, detailing his spiritual crisis and eventual breakthrough upon reading Romans 3:20-22. Begg quotes Luther’s realization that “the law that I’m trying to keep cannot put me in a right standing before God,” and further cites Luther’s words: “It is the sweetest mercy of God that it is not imaginary sinners he saves but real sinners… Grace is given to heal the sick not to decorate spiritual heroes.” These references are used to illustrate both the personal and theological impact of Romans 3:20-22, showing how Luther’s insights continue to shape Protestant understanding of justification by faith.

Romans 3:20-22 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

God's Grace: Hope for the Unworthy and Marginalized (Journey Church Fremont) uses several secular analogies and stories to illustrate Romans 3:20-22. The preacher compares the shepherds’ social status to that of modern-day truckers, emphasizing their long absences from home and the resulting sense of exclusion. The sermon also humorously references the experience of parents nearly losing their temper with their children on the way to church, using this as a relatable example of universal human imperfection. Additionally, the preacher uses the analogy of religion as a "three-ring circus" and the phrase "Merry Christmas, you filthy animals" (a nod to the movie "Home Alone") to underscore the reality of human sinfulness. The "D-O" versus "D-O-N-E" analogy is a memorable way to contrast religion and relationship with Christ. Finally, the preacher references the common saying that "all religions are essentially the same," likening such statements to ignorant generalizations about music genres, to highlight the uniqueness of the gospel message.

Conviction, Righteousness, and Freedom Through the Holy Spirit (Pastor Chuck Smith) uses the illustration of the English word “sin” deriving from an old archery game in which missing the mark (failing to shoot an arrow through a hoop) resulted in being called a “sinner.” This vivid secular analogy helps the congregation grasp the biblical concept of sin as “missing the mark” of God’s perfection. Smith also shares a personal family story about his grandson Charlo, who, after breaking his father’s golf club, is guided by his mother to recognize the inner voice of conscience as the Holy Spirit’s conviction—making the abstract concept of conviction tangible and relatable for listeners. Additionally, Smith references the poetry of Longfellow (“Tell me not in mournful numbers…”) to illustrate the reality of life after death and the seriousness of judgment, using a well-known secular literary source to reinforce biblical teaching on the afterlife and accountability.