Verse 21
III. THE IMPUTATION OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS 3:21-5:21
In beginning the next section of his argument Paul returned to the major subject of this epistle, the righteousness of God (Romans 3:21; cf. Romans 1:17). He also repeated the need for faith (Romans 3:22; cf. Romans 1:16) and summarized his point that everyone is guilty before God (Romans 3:22; cf. Romans 1:18 to Romans 3:20). This brief recapitulation introduces his explanation of the salvation that God provides for guilty sinners that follows.
"The first main division of the epistle forms a powerful negative argument for the second, and was evidently so intended. Since man is a sinner with no help in himself and none in the law, what is left to him but to look to the mercy of God? . . . In a court of justice it is only after every defense has failed and the law itself has been shown to be broken, it is only at this point that the appeal is made to the judge for his clemency. The epistle has brought us to such a point." [Note: Stifler, p. 58.]
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