Divine and Human Justice in Paul: On the Jewishness of God’s χάρις in Romans 3.21–5.11

The article addresses the meaning of the two notions of God’s and human δικαιοσύνη (‘justice’) as employed in Rom 3.21–5.11. Special focus is given to the function of God’s χάρις (‘gift’) and the resulting πίστις (‘trust’) in chapter 4. The core text of 3.21–5.11 is first situated within the argument of Rom 1.18–8.39 as a whole, with summarizing analyses of 1.18–3.20, 6.1–8.13, and 8.14–39. Next, the core text is addressed. The article argues for an understanding of God’s χάρις (given wholly undeservedly) and the corresponding πίστις that situates them within an overarching, fully Jewish understanding of God’s justice in deservedly rewarding ‘good works’ (including ‘works of the Law’) and punishing ‘bad acts’ (cf. 2.6–11). No specifically ‘Christian’ understanding of God’s χάρις and δικαιοσύνη as such and the corresponding human πίστις and δικαιοσύνη is involved. Once God’s χάρις has been given once and for all in the Christ event out of God’s ἀγάπη, God’s δικαιοσύνη as defined by 2.6–11 remains in place.