“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. The righteousness of God (dikaiosynē theou) is the central theological reality of Romans: it denotes both God's saving justice and his attribute of faithful covenant-keeping. Revealed (apokalyptō) suggests an unveiling or disclosure—what was hidden in the Old Testament is now made manifest in the Gospel. By faith from first to last (ek pisteōs eis pistin) establishes faith as the sole condition and continuous character of salvation. The quotation from Habakkuk 2:4 grounds this truth in Scripture and sets the agenda for the entire epistle.
Church Fathers on Romans 1:17
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed.” But he who has become just shall live, not for the present life only, but for that which is to come. And he hints not only this, but also another thing along with this, namely, the brightness and gloriousness of such a life. For since it is possible to be saved, yet not without shame (as many are saved of those, who by the royal humanity are released from punishment), that no one may suspect this upon hearing of safety, he…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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