Justification.docx

2. Sin and Justification by Faith and not by Works of the law a. Why did Paul think the law was incapable of justifying anyone before God? Rom 2, 9 All men both Jews and Gentiles are under the power of sin. Rom 3, 20 For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. Paul says that no one has perfectly fulfilled these commandments. Even if the intent of the Law is good, through the flesh(sarx) all sorts of desires and covetousness evoked by the categories the Law. The Law cannot justify us because no one can really fulfill the Law perfectly. Rom 7, 5 While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. Rom 7,13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin Rom. 3,22b For there is no distinction; 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Go

-universal situation of sin -original condition of humankind … so under “wrath”

b. What does it mean to be justified before God by our faith in Jesus Christ?

Paul explains in Romans the universal condition of sin for all men, whether Jew or Gentile. 3,20 For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction All deserved the “wrath of God”, judgement; everyone is in this sorry state. How can people be justified if they are all sinful? How can they hope for reconciliation with God? Justification can be in the process of believing in Jesus Christ. It’s a gift. To be justified is to accept Christ in one’s life.- to be freed from sin/ to be cleansed of sin/to be forgiven, thus to be reconciled with God, to be, once again, put in right relationship with God; in traditional language, to be in a state of grace once again, embracing Christ in faith, then, the person is “justified” before God or “put in right relationship” with God, is “reconciled” with God.

-In Paul, the issue of Justification is an “initial” issue that puts into contrast Faith in JC and Works of the Law; and Final Judgment is an “end-time” (eschatological) issue whose only criterion or basis is DEEDS or WORKS. That is why, though it may sound contradictory, we are justified by Faith in Jesus Christ, but will be judged according to Works (which is Faith-workingthrough-Love). -

Observations:

1) The criterion for justification is Faith (in the Lord JC) and not Works of the Law and not simply “Good works.” Thus, Paul’s teaching on justification is directed against the “Judaizing” notion or view that still clings on to the Law as the means by which we are made righteous, put in right relations, reconciled, with God. Because, if this were so, why would Christ still be sent and die on the cross? 2) The formula for justification simply says “by faith” and not “by faith alone” (as the Protestants assert but without textual basis) because the issue for Paul is not whether Faith is enough (thus, “alone”) or not, but the choice between “Faith” and “Works of the Law.” -Effects of being Justified – For Catholic : thorough cleansing, completely forgiven, thus, rebirth, “new creation” (metaphor of “white cement” – white in substance, not just “painted white”)

c.

Did Paul think that the law was evil? What was for him the function or role of the law before Christ came?

Rom. 3, 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. Rom 7, 12 -13 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means!, 14 We know that the law is spiritual The Law as Pedagogue(Gal 3, 19), temporal, as something like assisting a child or heir. The Law has its respective function or role, but it has its limitation and provisional character. With Jesus Christ, we have faith as our new guide. The law is entirely a blessing but powerlessness to actually change the heart.

d. Why was Abraham the model of justification by faith and not by works of the law? The Faith of Abraham - extraordinary: hoping against hope(Rom 4); did not waver, but grew stronger; fully convinced God would and could fulfill His promise. - promise was made before he was circumcised (or precept of circumcision was given) so that everyone, Jew or Greek, can be justified before God if he/she shows faith like his “father” Abraham Abraham did not “do” anything(Gen 15). He did not do anything except “believing” in God’s promise. Believing in a gift of God.

corin 1 Corinthians 4:6-11New International Version (NIV) Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 6

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like 8

those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

Romans 15:26New King James Version (NKJV) For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 26

Corinthians 4:6-7

These people were using the gifts that God gave to them to divide the church. They were separating themselves into cliques, getting people in the congregation to say, "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Peter," and so forth because "Peter represents this, Paul represents this other thing, and what Paul has is better," and "Peter is not teaching this, and Paul is teaching it," etc. They were using such arguments to divide the congregation. In argument to this, the apostle is saying, "Look, we all have our gifts. There is not one of us that did not receive what we have." Consider this within the framework of I Corinthians 1:2931. Paul is hammering away at them because they were so proud, so puffed up, about what God had given them, as if it belonged to themselves, as if they had acquired their gifts without God.