{Is not justified} (ou dikaioutai). Present passive
indicative of dikaio(935c), an old causative verb from dikaios,
righteous (from dike, right), to make righteous, to declare
righteous. It is made like axio(935c), to deem worthy, and koino(935c),
to consider common. It is one of the great Pauline words along
with dikaiosun(885c), righteousness. The two ways of getting right
with God are here set forth: by faith in Christ Jesus (objective
genitive), by the works of the law (by keeping all the law in the
most minute fashion, the way of the Pharisees). Paul knew them
both (see Ro 7 ). In his first recorded sermon the same contrast
is made that we have here ( Ac 13:39 ) with the same word
dikaio(935c), employed. It is the heart of his message in all his
Epistles. The terms faith (pistis), righteousness
(dikaiosun(885c)), law (
omos), works (erga) occur more
frequently in Galatians and Romans because Paul is dealing
directly with the problem in opposition to the Judaizers who
contended that Gentiles had to become Jews to be saved. The whole
issue is here in an acute form. {Save} (ean m(885c)). Except. {Even
we} (kai h(886d)eis). We Jews believed, had to believe, were not
saved or justified till we did believe. This very point Peter had
made at the Jerusalem Conference ( Ac 15:10f. ). He quotes Ps
143:2 . Paul uses dikaiosun(885c) in two senses (1) Justification,
on the basis of what Christ has done and obtained by faith. Thus
we are set right with God. Ro 1-5 . (2) Sanctification. Actual
goodness as the result of living with and for Christ. Ro 6-8 .
The same plan exists for Jew and Gentile.
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