Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Original Language Analysis
λογιζόμεθα
we conclude
G3049
λογιζόμεθα
we conclude
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
1 of 8
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
οὖν
Therefore
G3767
οὖν
Therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 8
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
πίστει
by faith
G4102
πίστει
by faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
3 of 8
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
δικαιοῦσθαι
is justified
G1344
δικαιοῦσθαι
is justified
Strong's:
G1344
Word #:
4 of 8
to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent
χωρὶς
without
G5565
χωρὶς
without
Strong's:
G5565
Word #:
6 of 8
at a space, i.e., separately or apart from (often as preposition)
Cross References
Titus 3:7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Galatians 3:8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.Romans 3:26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.Romans 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:James 2:24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.Galatians 3:24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.Romans 4:5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.Ephesians 2:9Not of works, lest any man should boast.Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Historical Context
This verse became the battle cry of the Protestant Reformation. Luther called it "the article by which the church stands or falls." Medieval Catholicism taught justification by faith plus works; Paul and the Reformers insisted: faith alone, though never alone—faith that justifies also sanctifies.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you truly rest in justification by faith alone, or do you subtly trust in your spiritual progress?
- How do you distinguish between faith alone (excluding works as ground) and living faith (producing works as fruit)?
- Why is the "alone" in "faith alone" worth dying for—what's at stake in this doctrine?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Paul's definitive summary: logizometha oun pistei dikaiousthai anthrōpon chōris ergōn nomou (λογιζόμεθα οὖν πίστει δικαιοῦσθαι ἄνθρωπον χωρὶς ἔργων νόμου, "we reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law"). Logizometha (λογιζόμεθα, "we reckon/conclude")—this is not speculation but reasoned conclusion from Scripture.
Pistei (πίστει, "by faith")—instrumental dative: faith is the means. Chōris ergōn nomou (χωρὶς ἔργων νόμου, "apart from works of law")—not merely "in addition to" but "apart from," excluding works as either ground or instrument of justification. This is the Reformation's clarion call: justification by faith alone (sola fide). Not faith plus works, but faith that works (Galatians 5:6). The Reformers added "alone" to clarify Paul's meaning, not distort it—works are the fruit, never the root, of justification.