NOTES AND COMMENTARY
28 that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Deeds do not justify, but are evidenced by those who are given a new heart under the new covenant. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ephesians 36:26 The new heart under a new covenant is explained in Jeremiah 33:31. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. This new covenant is further explained in Hebrews 9. The law once written upon tablets of stone by the finger of God, is now written on the heart. It is in this way that all believers come unto Christ. This is why the writer of Hebrews says, Therefore let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, etc.
Verse 1: What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew- Paul revealed in chapter 2 the Jews misunderstanding of God’s new covenant. They assumed that the covenant of circumcision, gave them an advantage with God. This was shattered by Paul’s declaration that a true descendant is one whose heart has been circumcised by the Spirit of God. Romans 2:29 Juli Camarin- Entrusted with the Very Words of God
Verse 3-4: What if some did not believe? Will their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, that you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.' Psalms 51:6, in which the quotation occurs is ascribed to David after his sin with Bathsheba. Paul adopts the rendering and applies it not to the sentence given by God, but to the imaginary trial supposed here. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
Verse 4: As it is written - Psalm 51:4. The apostle appeals to the language of David who was in a state of deep penitence for past transgressions. Barnes Notes on the Bible
Verse7: Why yet am I also judged as a sinner? If more glory accrues to the name of God by my wickedness, what reason is there that I should be punished, and proceeded against as an offender, who have occasioned this further glory to God? The apostle personates a wicked objector. This way of speaking and writing is frequent among all authors of the Holy Scriptures. Matthew Poole's Commentary
Verse 24: Justified freely by his grace - Being treated as if righteous; that is, being regarded and treated as if they had kept the Law. The apostle has shown that they could not be so regarded and treated by any merit of their own, or by personal obedience to the Law. He now affirms that if they were so treated, it must be by mere favor, and as a matter not of right, but of gift. This is the essence of the gospel. Barnes Notes on the Bible
Verse 26: To Declare His Righteousness His righteousness is upon all that believe; put upon them as a crown, as a robe. It is free grace, mere mercy; there is nothing in us to deserve such favors. It comes freely unto us, but Christ bought it, and paid the price. And faith has special regard to the blood of Christ, And it would not agree with his justice to demand the debt, when the Surety has paid it, and he has accepted that payment in full satisfaction. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Verse 28: Without the deeds of the law That we are not justified by our works is a doctrine Paul urged and repeated with great power and frequency. Romans 4:2, Romans 4:6; Romans 9:11, Romans 9:32; Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:2, Galatians 3:5,Galatians 3:10; Ephesians 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:9. Barnes Notes on the Bible
Verse 28: Without the deeds of the law That they are not to be relied on as a ground of justification : Romans 2:7; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:25; 1 Timothy 6:18; 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 2:7, Titus 2:14; Titus 3:8; Hebrews 10:24. Barnes Notes on the Bible