Romans 3:26 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

To declare, I say, &c.— "He has, I say, proposed his Son for a demonstration of his righteousness, or method of justifying; which now, in this present ever-memorable and signal time, is so wonderfullyillustrated in the great transactions of our own age; intended for this purpose, that he might be and appear strictly just, and yet at the same time, without impeaching in any degree the rights of his government, the justifier of him who is of the faith of Jesus; that is, of every one who sincerely believes in him; and acquiesces in that method of salvation, which God has published by him, and established in his perfect obedience and meritorious sufferings." It is no way wonderful that God should be merciful, or faithful to his promises, though the justifier of believing sinners,—as some would have us understand this passage; but that he should be just in such an act, might have seemed incredible, had we not received an account of the propitiation and atonement, by whom made, and in how aweful a manner. Thus the perfections of God, which were dishonoured by our rebellion, are glorified. He appears, by this method of justification, inconceivably rich in shewing mercy; yet steady, inflexibly steady, in executing vengeance. The sceptre of grace and the sword of justice have each their due exercise, each their full scope. The holiness of the divine nature, and the dignity of the divine government, are not onlymaintained,butmostmagnificentlydisplayed.Indeeditisthepeculiar excellence of this wonderful expedient, that it renders all the divine attributes supremely venerable, and supremely amiable. The words at this time, εν τω νυν καιρω, the now time, or the time that now is, meaning the time when the Gospel was promulged, are emphatical. They distinguish the justification which God at that time exhibited to the world, from the justification which he will manifest to them who do good, that is, produce all the fruits of justifying faith, in the day when he will judge the world by Jesus Christ. See Doddridge and Fletcher.