“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
My Notes
What Does Romans 3:26 Mean?
Paul identifies the cross as the solution to God's greatest theological problem: how to be simultaneously just (punishing sin) and the justifier (acquitting sinners). "That he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" — both at the same time. The cross makes God's justice and his mercy not merely compatible but inseparable.
The phrase "at this time" (en to nyn kairo — in the present moment) contrasts with God's forbearance in the past (verse 25). Previously, God passed over sins without full punishment. Now, at the cross, the sin that was passed over is fully addressed and the sinner who was guilty is fully acquitted. Both happen at the same time, in the same event.
The word "justifier" (dikaioo — the one who declares righteous) places God in the active role. He doesn't just allow justification to happen. He does it. He is the justifier — personally, actively, deliberately declaring righteous the person who believes in Jesus.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does the cross solve the tension between God's justice and his mercy simultaneously?
- 2.What does 'at this time' teach about the cross being the turning point in how God deals with sin?
- 3.What does it mean to you that God is the active justifier — not just permitting but performing your acquittal?
- 4.How does understanding justification as God's act (not your achievement) change your approach to spiritual security?
Devotional
Just and justifier. Both at the same time. The cross solves the problem that nothing else could: how can God punish sin fully and forgive the sinner completely in the same act?
This is the theological center of Romans — maybe the theological center of the entire Bible. God's justice demands that sin be punished. God's love demands that sinners be saved. Without the cross, these two demands contradict each other. With the cross, they're satisfied simultaneously. Jesus absorbs the punishment (justice is served) so that the believer receives the acquittal (mercy is given). One event, both problems solved.
The phrase "at this time" marks the cross as the turning point in God's dealings with sin. Before the cross, God was patient — he passed over sins (verse 25), deferring full judgment. At the cross, the deferral ended. Every sin that was passed over was fully addressed. The account was settled. And the settlement produced both justice (the penalty was paid) and justification (the believer was declared righteous).
God is the justifier — active, not passive. He doesn't observe justification happening; he performs it. He declares the believing sinner righteous. Not because the sinner became righteous through self-improvement, but because the penalty was absorbed by Jesus and the verdict was reassigned to the believer.
This is the gospel in its most compressed form: God found a way to be completely just and completely merciful at the same time. The cross is that way. And faith in Jesus is how you receive what the cross accomplished.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Seeing it is one God,.... God is one in nature and essence, though there are three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son,…
At this time - The time now since the Saviour has come, now is the time when he manifests it. That he might be just -…
To declare, I say, at this time - To manifest now, by the dispensation of the Gospel, his righteousness, his infinite…
From all this Paul infers that it is in vain to look for justification by the works of the law, and that it is to be had…
at this time The word translated "time" means usually occasion, "special time," "due time." Same word as ch. Rom 5:6.…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture