Q&A Home > J > Justification

What did St. Paul mean by "a man is justified by faith (Romans 3:28)"?

The Holy Book of Romans chapter three is addressing the unfaithfulness of the Jews. St. Paul is asking questions initially in the chapter, and verses 10-18 is the Old Testament quote, which speaks to his questions. The conclusion of the narrative is that while man changes and may be unfaithful, God does not change and He remains faithful.

As Gentiles fail to keep the natural law, so Jews fail to keep the Law of Moses. In summary, all are sinners before God. Verse 23 tells us that even if we should keep the Law, we would still fall short of the Glory of God, for we would still die and need salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ alone lived in complete righteousness. He alone was resurrected to the Eternal Life. Concluding that only through the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the way to God Himself (also John 14:6).

Justification by faith is a complex topic. As Christians, we are no longer under the auspices of the Old Testament Law as written in the Holy Book of Romans 3:20 because the Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled the Law (Galatians 2:21). By the mercy of God, we are brought into a New Covenant relationship with Him. Through this mercy we are justified by faith and EMPOWERED by God for good works which bring glory to His Holy Name.

Nowhere in the Holy Bible can you find that we are justified by "faith" alone. "Faith by itself" absent of good works is dead (James 2:17). Salvation in the Orthodox concept has 3 aspects: 1) I have been saved through baptism, 2) I am being saved growing in the Lord Jesus Christ through the Sacramental life of the Orthodox Church, and 3) through God's mercy I will be saved at the Last Judgment.

Part of this Sacramental life is Confession. It is a necessity for growth as an Orthodox Christian.

The Holy Book of Ephesians 2:8-9 speaks to grace, faith, and works. Verse 10 is essential to verses 8 and 9 because verse 10 plainly tells us that we are not saved by good works but for good works.

In the Holy Book of Titus, St. Paul in chapter 3 verses 4-7 is addressing the kindness toward mankind. St. Paul calls us to the washing of water or regeneration (baptism) and renewing of the Holy Spirit (chrismation).