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

ROMANS 3:26KJV
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Romans 3:26 (KJV)

What does Romans 3:26 mean?

Romans 3:26 says that God shows his own rightness in the way he deals with people who believe in Jesus. God remains just while also declaring such a person to be in the right before him.

Paul’s words have the feel of a courtroom: the question is how a just judge deals with someone accused of wrongdoing. Following the mention of Jesus’ blood in verse 25, Paul says that God’s action shows his righteousness “at this time.”

The Greek behind Romans 3:26

  • “just” — δίκαιος (dikaios): The word carries the sense of being right or just. Here it describes God himself, whose character is at issue in Paul’s argument.
  • “justifier” — δικαιόω (dikaioō): The word can mean to declare someone to be in the right. Its connection in Greek with “just” helps show why Paul places God’s character and his treatment of the believer side by side.
  • “believeth” — πίστις (pistis): The word means faith or trust. The KJV expresses the idea as an action: the person “believeth in Jesus.”

Why Romans 3:26 matters

  • The verse connects God’s action with a particular person: “him which believeth in Jesus.” Paul is describing God’s response to someone’s faith in Jesus, not merely discussing justice as an abstract idea.
  • The words “at this time” mark the present moment in Paul’s argument. In verse 25, Paul has referred to sins committed earlier; verse 26 brings the question of God’s righteousness into the present.
  • The concern reaches beyond a person’s standing before God. The repeated focus on “his righteousness” and “just” puts God’s own rightness at the center of the explanation.

Where else these words appear

“declare” Greek G1732 · used in 4 verses

  • Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
  • 2 Corinthians 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
  • Philippians 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

“justifier” Greek G1344 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
  • Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

“just” Greek G1342 · used in 76 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

“time” Greek G2540 · used in 82 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
  • Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.