Romans 3:23

Study 1 – The Inadequacy of the Law

Texts: Philippians 3:4–7; Romans 3:21

• Key Point: Paul reminds the Philippians that if anyone could claim righteousness by the law, it was him. Yet, he counts all of it as loss compared to Christ.
  
• Discussion:
  
  • Why is the law unable to make us righteous?
    
  • How do human achievements or morality compare to God’s standard?
    
  • What does Paul mean when he calls his former confidence “rubbish” (Phil. 3:8)?
    
• Application: Identify areas where we may be tempted to trust our own performance rather than Christ’s finished work.
  

Study 2 – Righteousness Revealed in Christ

Texts: Philippians 3:9; Romans 3:22–23

• Key Point: The righteousness of God is not achieved, but received—through faith in Jesus Christ.
  
• Discussion:
  
  • What is the difference between “a righteousness of my own” and “that which is through faith in Christ”?
    
  • How does the universality of sin (“all have sinned”) highlight the necessity of faith?
    
  • Why is faith the great equalizer between Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, moral and immoral?
    
• Application: Reflect on whether you find yourself more comfortable with grace when you “deserve it” than when you don’t. How does that reveal lingering self-righteousness?
  

Study 3 – Grace and Redemption

Texts: Romans 3:24–25; Philippians 3:8

• Key Point: We are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption accomplished in Christ Jesus.
  
• Discussion:
  
  • What does it mean that justification is “freely” given?
    
  • Explore the image of redemption: buying back a slave, paying a ransom, or setting someone free.
    
  • How does Paul’s passion for “knowing Christ” connect with experiencing redemption personally?
    
• Application: Where in your life do you still live as if you were enslaved to sin, shame, or performance? How can you walk in the freedom Christ provides?
  

Study 4 – The Righteousness of God Demonstrated

Texts: Romans 3:25–26; Philippians 3:10–11

• Key Point: In the cross, God demonstrates His justice and His mercy—He is just and the justifier.
  
• Discussion:
  
  • How does the atoning sacrifice of Jesus uphold both God’s holiness and His love?
    
  • What does Paul mean by wanting to “know Christ… and the power of His resurrection”?
    
  • How does God’s righteousness revealed in Christ’s death and resurrection give us hope beyond death?
    
• Application: How can we live in daily assurance that our right standing with God is secure, not in us, but in Christ’s righteousness?