Today I am still looking closely at Romans 3. Continuing with the notes I previously posted about segmenting what is written to wrest meaning that isn’t in the Scriptures, I am going to capture some additional points about it. This way I have the thoughts recorded so I can remember them later. I apologize in advance for it looking more like a rough draft than a finished devotional.
In addition to breaking up Romans 3:22b-25 into chunks to make the argument for a “faith only” salvation, there is another problem that can be seen when one consults an older commentary, such as Adam Clark, with something newer from someone who teaches faith only. Several verses through the New Testament have been changed in newer versions to talk about faith in Christ instead of the faith of Christ!
KJV:
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference – Romans 3:22 KJV
ESV:
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: – Romans 3:22 ESV
This little tweak to the Scriptures gives the faith only teacher the basis to use Romans 3:28 as support for their error. The biggest question I have for them, is how does the faith of a sinful person give him salvation when compared to the perfect faith of Jesus Christ? And then, if our own faith alone is sufficient, why was Jesus’ perfect faith not enough to save us? He also had to be obedient to God to complete the plan!
Some other Scriptures that have this same problem between versions:
- Galatians 3:22 KJV – Galatians 3:22 ESV
- Ephesians 3:12 KJV – Ephesians 3:12 ESV
- Philippians 3:9 KJV – Philippians 3:9 ESV
- Galatians 2:16 KJV – Galatians 2:16 ESV
- Galatians 2:20 KJV – Galatians 2:20 ESV
(For those reading in email, these references are linked for easy comparison.)
Daily Bible reading for October 9
Psalm 69
1 Kings 4
Ezekiel 31
Romans 3:21-31
October 9, 2013
Comments Off on The Faith of Jesus Christ