the justice of God, the faithfulness of Jesus

just a note on this great passage:

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

N.T. Wright argues that this term "the righteousness of God" might be better understood as "God's justice" (which includes a play on Rome's claim to being a just society... including their God Iustia). That is, how does this gospel relate to all God's promises and covenant with Israel, as it proclaims the kingdom of God and the invitation for all to be in covenant relationship with God.

the phrase in verse 22 might also better read, "the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe." This reading is less redundant - through faith for all who believe... is "faithful" to the Greek, and places the action, the vindication of his name, his promises, his covenant squarely on the Messiah, Jesus, and his faithfulness as representative Israel and representative Adam.