Faith without religion.
Exploring the Distinction Between Faith in Christ and the Faith of Christ
In this blog post, we explore a thought-provoking question regarding Romans 3:22: Is the righteousness of God attained through faith in Jesus Christ, or is it through the faith of Jesus Christ himself? This distinction is crucial as it influences our understanding of righteousness and faith.
Romans 3:22 in the King James Version states, “Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.” The phrase “faith of Jesus Christ” suggests that our righteousness is imputed to us through the faith that Jesus possessed. This interpretation raises the question of whether the King James Version is correct or if it should read “by faith ON Jesus Christ,” which would imply that our faith in Jesus is what grants us righteousness.
To delve deeper, we can refer to scholarly commentary. For instance, Cranfield in “A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans” supports the King James interpretation, noting that the genitive “Christou” indicates the object of faith. A.T. Robertson also affirms this in “Word Pictures in the New Testament,” emphasizing that the phrase should be understood as “through faith in Jesus Christ,” not as a subjective genitive.
Understanding the difference between subjective and objective genitive cases is essential here. A subjective genitive implies that the noun in the genitive produces the action, while an objective genitive indicates that the noun receives the action. Thus, “faith of Jesus” would be subjective, while “faith in Jesus” would be objective. Both interpretations are grammatically valid, but they lead to significantly different theological implications.
The various translations of Romans 3:22 reflect this debate. While the King James Version and others like the MKJV and YLT use “faith of Jesus Christ,” translations such as the New King James Version and the Revised Standard Version opt for “faith in Jesus Christ.”
Ultimately, the choice between these interpretations is left to the reader and translator. It invites us to engage with the text, seek understanding, and embrace the love that underpins our faith journey.
