Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Romans Chapter 3
Metaphysically Interpreting Romans 3:21-31
3:21But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 3:22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; 3:23for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 3:24being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 3:25whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; 3:26for 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.
3:27Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith. 3:28We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 3:29Or is God the God of Jews only? is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yea, of Gentiles also: 3:30if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith. 3:31Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.
August 3, 1941: Romans 3:21-31
Is it possible for a person to know within himself what is right without following a predetermined standard set by others? Yes. “Apart from the law,” which is a predetermined standard, “a righteousness of God hath been manifested”. Man can know this righteousness of God and manifest it also.
What tends to prove that this standard is a law or unvarying rule? The fact that it is in harmony with the standard set by the thinkers and seers of early times (the Mosaic law) and with the law of cause and effect (the Prophets) is strong corroborative evidence of its truth. Man's inner conviction is further evidence on this point.
What is the righteousness of God, and how is it expressed by man? God is Spirit, absolute good, and the good is always right or “righteous.” Man's ability to conceive of the right and his combined desire and ability to express his conception in a practical way put him in touch with what is divinely right and good.
How does man most easily conceive the right course in any given situation? Faith in the Christ within man quickens his perceptive faculties. As he learns to believe in himself as a sharer of the divine nature, which is infinite in love, wisdom and power, he draws on the qualities that arouse his faith still more fully, and they enlighten him according to his need.
What is the law of faith that excludes "glorying"? There exists a higher and better order than man has seen manifested in the natural world or has proved in its fullness. He accepts this order as true in faith, though still unmanifest to the eye of flesh. The habit of looking to something higher than himself, for strength and wisdom develops in him humility, thus excluding self-conceit or “glorying.”
What is justification by faith “apart from the works of the law”? The works of faith include the exercising of man's inner vision in such a way as to show him that spiritual strength sufficient for all his needs is to be had for the taking; also the keeping of the inner eye single, so that he sees good only. As he does these works they justify his course by proving it the law of life and well-being.
Can faith be applied to all ideas in such a way as to prove its universal quality? Since faith is a universal law of man's being, it can be applied by all alike regardless of forms and ceremonies. “He shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.” The religious instinct (Jews) and the external interests (Gentiles) are both subject to this law.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-29-2013
