since nowhere else does God reveal to us his righteousness, which alone delivers us from perdition.
Now this righteousness, which is the groundwork of our salvation, is revealed in the gospel: hence
the gospel is said to be the power of God unto salvation. Thus he reasons from the cause to the
effect.
Notice further, how extraordinary and valuable a treasure does God bestow on us through the
gospel, even the communication of his own righteousness. I take the righteousness of God to mean,
that which is approved before his tribunal;^40 as that, on the contrary, is usually called the
righteousness of men, which is by men counted and supposed to be righteousness, though it be only
vapor. Paul, however, I doubt not, alludes to the many prophecies in which the Spirit makes known
everywhere the righteousness of God in the future kingdom of Christ.
Some explain it as the righteousness which is freely given us by God: and I indeed confess that
the words will bear this sense; for God justifies us by the gospel, and thus saves us: yet the former
view seems to me more suitable, though it is not what I make much of. Of greater moment is what
some think, that this righteousness does not only consist in the free remission of sins, but also, in
part, includes the grace of regeneration. But I consider, that we are restored to life because God
freely reconciles us to himself, as we shall hereafter show in its proper place.
But instead of the expression he used before, “to every one who believeth,” he says now, from
faith; for righteousness is offered by the gospel, and is received by faith. And he adds, to faith: for
as our faith makes progress, and as it advances in knowledge, so the righteousness of God increases
in us at the same time, and the possession of it is in a manner confirmed. When at first we taste the
gospel, we indeed see God’s smiling countenance turned towards us, but at a distance: the more
the knowledge of true religion grows in us, by coming as it were nearer, we behold God’s favor
more clearly and more familiarly. What some think, that there is here an implied comparison
between the Old and New Testament, is more refined than well-founded; for Paul does not here
compare the Fathers who lived under the law with us, but points out the daily progress that is made
by every one of the faithful.
As it is written, etc. By the authority of the Prophet Habakkuk he proves the righteousness of
faith; for he, predicting the overthrow of the proud, adds this — that the life of the righteous consists
(^40) “The righteousness of God,” , has been the occasion of much toil to critics, but without reason: the very context
is sufficient to show its meaning, it being what the gospel reveals, and what the gospel reveals is abundantly known from other
passages. Whether we saw, it is the righteousness which is approved of God, as Calvin says, or provided by God, or contrived
by God, or imputed by God, the meaning does not materially differ, and indeed all these things, as it is evident from Scripture,
are true respecting it.
There is more difficulty connected with the following words,. The view which Calvin gives was adopted by
some of the Fathers, such as Theophylact and Clemens Alexandrinus; and it is that of Melancthon, Beza, Scaliger, Locke, and
many others. From Poole we find that Chrysostom gave this exposition, “From the obscure and inchoate faith of the Old Testament
to the clear and full faith of the New;” and that Ambrose’s exposition was the following, “From the faith or fidelity of God who
promises to the faith of him who believes.” But in all these views there is not that which comports with the context, nor the
construction very intelligible-”revealed from faith,” What can it mean? To render the passage intelligibly, must be
connected with , as suggested by Hammond, and followed by Doddridge and Macknight. Then it would be, “The
righteousness of God by faith or, which is by faith:” this is revealed in the gospel “to faith,” that is, in order that it may be
believed; which is often the force of before a noun; as, μ — in order to do wickedness; or, μ in order to practice
holiness, Romans 6:19Chalmers, Stuart, Barnes, and Haldane take this view. The verse may be thus rendered, —
For the righteousness of God by faith is in it revealed in order to be believed, as it is written, “The just shall by faith live.”
The same truth is conveyed in Romans 3:22; and similar phraseology is found in Philippians 3:9.
Barnes seems fully to express the import of the passage in these words, “God’s plan of justifying men is revealed in the
gospel, which plan is by faith, and the benefits of which plan shall be extended to all that have faith or that believe.” — Ed.