Romans 1:17 NKJV
Righteous by Faith
A core component of the Gospel message is the righteousness of God— which essentially means that God acts rightly toward humanity.
Romans 1:17 introduces this theme that Paul, the writer of Romans, covers in the rest of his letter. For Paul, this verse is the premise for the arguments that he will make in the following chapters.
Paul says in Romans 3:23 that all of us have turned our back on God, and that sin is what separates us from Him.
Since God is righteous and holy, and we are not, we couldn’t approach God on our own. There needed to be a solution to bridge the gap between us. God sent Jesus in our place to be that bridge. This way, Jesus could make a way for us to have a relationship with Him again, and God would still be righteous.
That is why Paul says God’s righteousness is revealed through the Gospel. But, he clarifies that it comes through faith. Paul says, “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Righteous living, or living our life according to God’s way, begins with faith, which is believing in what Jesus has done for us.
There is no amount of good work we can do to earn a relationship with God. Instead of measuring righteousness by good deeds, having Christian parents, or some other metric—God looks at our hearts. He looks to see whether or not we have faith in Jesus.
Everyone who comes to God must do so through faith.
We can have a relationship with God if we believe in Jesus and walk in faith. As we do that, we are made new in Christ. Our old ways and old habits are gone, and we can now walk in newness of life with Jesus.
Spend some time today thinking about what Jesus has done for you on the cross, where He gave His life on your behalf. What areas of your life can you live by faith, rather than trying to earn God’s favor? Rest in His presence knowing that you are accepted and made new because of your faith in Jesus.
When I first read Romans 1:16-17, especially the part about being "not ashamed of the gospel," I felt a surge of courage. It’s comforting to know that this message isn't just a set of rules; it's genuinely "the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." For a long time, I thought being a 'good person' meant trying really hard to follow every commandment, hoping I’d eventually earn God's favor. But this passage, particularly Romans 1:16, completely shifted my understanding. It’s about accepting a gift, not achieving a goal. What truly resonated with me was the universality of this power – it’s for "the Jew first and also for the Greek," meaning it's for absolutely everyone, regardless of their background or past mistakes. This verse dismantles any idea of an exclusive club and opens the door wide for anyone who chooses to believe. It makes me reflect on times I felt inadequate or unworthy. Knowing that God's power is readily available for my salvation, not based on my performance, but on my simple belief, is incredibly liberating. Then, Romans 1:17 beautifully connects to this power: "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'" This verse became a cornerstone of my spiritual journey. The phrase "righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith" is particularly profound. To me, it speaks of a continuous unveiling, a journey where my faith grows stronger as I continually trust in God's faithfulness. It's not a one-time event, but a lifelong process of deepening reliance on Him. I often think about what it means to live by faith. It’s not about blind trust without reason, but a confident assurance in God’s character and promises. It’s about resting in the truth that because of Jesus, I am made righteous in His eyes. This truth frees me from the exhausting cycle of trying to earn approval or constantly striving for perfection. Instead, I can approach God with confidence, knowing I am accepted because of what Jesus has done, not because of anything I have done. The image of the lion's face and the robed figure from the scripture's depiction always reminds me of the majesty and unwavering commitment of God in revealing His righteousness to us. Practically, living by faith means bringing my worries, my doubts, and my struggles to God, trusting that He is working all things for my good, even when I don't see it. It means making daily choices that reflect my belief in His guidance, rather than relying solely on my own understanding. For anyone feeling the weight of the world, or the pressure to measure up, these verses offer a profound sense of peace. They remind us that our relationship with God isn't earned; it's a gift received through faith, leading to a life lived in His abundant grace and power.