Are you the kind of person who wants to hear the good news first, or the bad news first?
Thus far in Romans, Paul has been giving us the bad news first. We have a sin problem. And judging others for their sins does us no good because we are just as guilty as they are. Jew or Gentile, it makes no difference - everybody sins.
But what if you are the sole exception? What if you are the one person able to successfully navigate the law and behave (internally and externally) in such a way that you live victoriously over sin - each day, every day?
No soap. Paul quotes from several diverse sources of scripture (Psalms, Isaiah, Proverbs) in vs. 10-18 to drive home the point that "there is no one righteous, not even one." The case is conclusive. The appeals are exhausted. The verdict is final.
Everybody sins.
But it is precisely at this point (when it is darkest before the dawn) that Paul transitions in vs. 21 from bad news to unbelievably great good news! There's a reason it's called the GOSPEL!!
Another avenue of righteousness exists besides unattainable legal perfection! "But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify." (vs. 21) The key to this righteousness? It's faith in Christ. He is our atonement offering (vs. 25) which we access through faith in his blood.
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