Steven E. Runge, High Definition Commentary: Romans
(Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), 71-72

Romans 3:27–31

These verses provide a summary of Paul’s claims thus far, carefully considering the implication of each point. Paul achieves this slower pace by using rhetorical questions. After all, saying, “Boasting is excluded by the law of faith,” would have been much easier. Asking questions also allows wrong alternatives—like the law of works—to be considered. It’s the proverbial speak slowly and use small words to make sure no one misses important points and how they intertwine.

The Real Deal: Paul breaks what could have been one simple statement into several parts by asking rhetorical questions. Each question draws attention to a key detail.

The question about boasting stems from many Jews’ perception that their covenant faithfulness gave them a special place in God’s heart—a place no Gentile could hope to achieve. God always intended His people to be a light to draw the Gentiles to Him; instead, they proved much more likely to adopt the worst of Gentile ways. When Israel withdrew from the Gentiles to ensure their faithfulness to God’s covenant requirements, they also forsook their mission to the Gentiles. We sometimes do the same thing today, overemphasizing the “not loving the world” idea from 1 John 2:15–17 and using it as an excuse not to serve as God’s ambassadors. Our preoccupation with living the victorious Christian life to please God (and give us a reason to boast?) gives pride priority over fulfilling the Great Commission.

Everyone faces the same predicament regarding sin. There is no use for pride and boasting in exclusion from the world. There is no amount of covenant faithfulness to earn anyone a special position before God. There is only salvation by grace through faith (3:28)—salvation available to Jews and Gentiles alike. In 3:30 Paul provides a thematically loaded characterization of God, describing Him as the One who justifies sinners on the basis of faith alone, not circumcision or law-keeping.

We should recognize that the Greek word in verse 28 translated as “apart” does not exclude the importance of works of the law. By using the word “apart,” Paul is not distinguishing a works-based salvation from a faith-based salvation. The issue he addresses is to whom salvation by faith is available, and Paul emphasizes that it is available to everyone—regardless of circumcision or adherence to dietary laws. This point is critical for us to understand Paul’s argument in Romans, but we too often overlook it in our rush to affirm salvation by faith not works. Paul addresses the issue of access here. If salvation were available only to those in the covenant community, then God would be the God of Jews alone—not the God of all people. The law plays no role other than to convict people of their sin.