The Unchanging Gospel

Romans 1:17

We continue on in our study of Romans and have arrived at verse seventeen. This verse says, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘the just shall live by faith.’” Right away questions arise about what this verse is saying. What is “it” that the righteousness of God is revealed in? What does “from faith to faith” mean? Where is it written that the just shall live by faith? This article will focus on answering those questions and helping us understand what this verse is revealing.

First of all, we must answer what “it” is. In order to do that we must look back at verse sixteen. We can see from there that it is the gospel. The gospel reveals the righteousness of God. Every believer will read that statement and nod their heads. The gospel shows us very clearly how righteous God is. He gained nothing from saving us. We gained everything. He sent His Son to die for us, while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), because He loves us. If that is not righteous then nothing is.

How could we be ashamed to preach this gospel? Our whole purpose is to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7) so to be unashamed to preach, teach, and live out the gospel is to fulfill our very purpose. It points others to His righteousness, the righteousness that we see and get to enjoy, and ought to want others to see and enjoy. This both aids the unbeliever by rescuing them from an eternity in hell and a purposeless life, and glorifies God, our Father, King, and Friend.

What does this phrase “from faith to faith” mean? John MacArthur, in his sermon The Gospel of Christ, says, “What does it mean, ‘from faith to faith’?  I think it has the same idea as everyone that believes.  You might look at it this way.  He says, ‘And the righteousness of God is revealed from – ‘ watch this ‘ - faith to faith – ‘ to faith, to faith, to faith, anyone’s faith, or everyone’s faith, no limitations.”[1] MacArthur then points to Abraham whose faith was appointed to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). So what he believes Paul is saying is that the gospel has always been the same. It is not a new gospel that Paul has created, nor is it a new gospel that began when Jesus rose from the dead. Since before the foundations of the world it has always been the same gospel; is has always been the same faith.

The final questions is where does this phrase “the just shall live by faith” that Paul quotes come from? It is actually from the Old Testament. Habakkuk 2:4 says, “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him, but the just shall live by faith.” Habakkuk was a prophet who was having a conversation with God throughout the entire three chapters of his book. He is trying to understand why God would allow a more wicked nation then Israel to come in and take their land and people. We see his struggle throughout the book but also his trust in God. He understood that God has a purpose for what He was doing. You can read more about the book of Habakkuk in the article titled The Lord God is My Strength.

Verse four is actually part of God’s response to Habakkuk after Habakkuk asked him why and humbly awaited God’s answer (Habakkuk 2:1). God Himself stated that the just shall live by faith. Going back to the phrase “from faith to faith” and how MacArthur interpreted it, it becomes clearer that the gospel has always been the same. It is nothing new. It is not a man made idea; it is a God truth. The just shall live by faith cannot be disputed. If you do dispute it then you are disputing God.

What we have seen in this verse is that preaching to the gospel is preaching the righteousness of God. It is fulfilling our purpose in glorifying Him. We have also seen that the gospel has always been the same. It has never changed. It was never different in the Old Testament, and it will never change in the future. God Himself stated that the just shall live by faith and there is no shadow of turning with Him (James 1:17). He does not lie (Titus 1:2).

[1] John MacArthur, “The Gospel of Christ” (Panorama City, CA, May 31, 1981), Grace to You, https://www.gty.org/sermons/45-08/the-gospel-of-christ

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