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Ordinary Time · Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Romans 3:21-25, 28

The Righteousness of God through Faith

May 31, 2026

The Crucifixion (Isenheim Altarpiece), Matthias Grünewald
The Crucifixion (Isenheim Altarpiece), Matthias Grünewald, 1512–1516Musée Unterlinden, Colmar
Painted for a hospital of the Antonine order that treated ergotism, whose sufferers saw their own lesions on the body of Christ. Grünewald made no attempt to soften any of it, and the Baptist points at it with a finger painted far too long.Paul calls the cross a stumbling-block and foolishness, and this is the only painting that refuses to make it anything else.Musée Unterlinden, ColmarA former Dominican convent in Alsace, built around the Isenheim Altarpiece, which is displayed so that its panels can be read in sequence.Musée Unterlinden, Colmar
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 7:21-27Mt 7:21-27
Second ReadingRom. 3:21-25, 28Rom 3:21-25, 28
First ReadingDeut. 11:18, 26-28, 32Dt 11:18, 26-28, 32
Responsorial PsalmPs. 31:2-3a, 3b-4, 17, 25Ps 31:2-3a, 3b-4, 17, 25

Overview & Insights

"For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law." (Romans 3:28)

Paul announces that the righteousness of God has now been revealed apart from the law and is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Since all have sinned, all are justified freely by grace through the redemption that is in Christ.

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Take it further: Romans 3:21-25, 28

Commentary

Romans 3 CommentaryRom 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on justification by faith apart from works.

Romans 3:21 CommentariesRom 3:21 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries gathered for the righteousness of God revealed in Christ.

Romans 3 ResourcesRom 3 Resources Precept Austin

Collected commentaries and sermons on Romans 3 and justification.

The Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre's video treatment of the Second Reading and how it fits the Sunday.

Background & Word Study

Romans 3:21 InterlinearRom 3:21 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text and word study for righteousness, faith, redemption, and expiation.

Overview: RomansOverview: Rom BibleProject

Animated overview of the letter's argument about God's righteousness and faith.

Justice BibleProject

Background on the biblical word for righteousness and justice that stands behind Paul's claim.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Romans 3Catena: Rom 3 Catena

Patristic comment on being justified freely by grace through faith.

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