Devine Scripture

Romans 3:24

What does Romans 3:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:24 means

Sinners are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Justification is a legal declaration of righteousness, not a reward earned by works. “Freely” underscores that it is unmerited; “by his grace” grounds it in God’s generous favor; “through redemption” evokes the price paid to set captives free. Christ’s cross is that costly ransom. In him, God releases us from sin’s bondage and declares us right with himself. This is not cheap grace; it is grace paid for by Christ. The verse invites humble assurance: our standing rests not on our performance but on the finished work of Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they may have righteousness put to their credit, freely, by his grace, through the salvation which is in Christ Jesus:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

being declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that <FI>is<Fi> in Christ Jesus,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

being justified freely by his grace through the redemption which [is] in Christ Jesus;

Context

After stating humanity’s universal sin (verse 23), Paul declares the divine remedy: justification as a free gift by grace through Christ’s redeeming work. Verses 25–26 will explain how this redemption satisfies God’s justice—Christ is set forth as a propitiation in his blood, validating God’s past forbearance and present righteousness in justification. With the ground of salvation established, verses 27–31 will answer the practical implications. Boasting is excluded, since faith—not works—is the means. One God justifies Jew and Gentile on the same basis. And faith does not cancel the law but establishes it by fulfilling its purpose and testimony.

v.23for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

v.24This passage

v.25whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 9:2

    For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place.

  • 1 Peter 1:18

    knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;

  • Titus 3:5

    not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

  • Isaiah 53:11

    He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.

  • Romans 4:16

    For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

  • Ephesians 1:6

    to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:

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