Romans 3:28 - Exposition

For ( γὰρ here, rather than οὗν , as in the Textus Receptus; though either reading rests on good authority, γὰρ suits best the course of thought, as introducing a reason for the assertion of the previous verse) we reckon that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law ; i.e. the law of works, as a principle of justification, is, in fact, according to our reckoning, nowhere. It is to be particularly observed that χωρὶς ἔργων νόμου implies no antinomian doctrine, nor any opposition to James ( James 2:14 , etc.). Its reference is not at all to works required or not required from man for acceptance, but simply to the ground or principle of his justification.