“Ergo”—therefore—is a word that perfectly captures the apostle Paul’s thought process in Romans 3. He takes us on a journey of profound logic that leads to a deep spiritual truth. At each step, the reasoning is clear and inescapable, drawing us closer to the heart of the gospel message. As we follow Paul’s argument, we come face-to-face with the reality of our condition and the only solution to it.

Paul begins with an unflinching statement: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10, NASB). This is a sobering truth. It isn’t just that we have all done wrong at some point; it’s that not one of us, by nature, possesses the righteousness God requires. Our sin runs deeper than individual actions—it’s woven into the fabric of our being. Therefore, ergo, we stand guilty before God.

Why? Paul tells us plainly: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NASB). The word “all” leaves no room for exception. Every person, without distinction, is part of this fallen humanity. We fall short not of human standards, but of God’s glory—the perfect standard of holiness and righteousness. Ergo, something must change if we are to be accepted before God. But what?

Here is where Paul’s argument points to our greatest need. Ergo, we need righteousness—but not a righteousness we can produce ourselves. The law shows us our failure, but it cannot save us. We need a Savior, someone who can bear the weight of God’s justice on our behalf. That someone, Paul declares, is Jesus Christ.

He is the One who provides what we cannot. The apostle explains that through Christ’s death, God demonstrated His righteousness “so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26, BSB). Ergo, the justice of God is satisfied, and His mercy is extended to sinners like us. We are justified—declared righteous—not because of any merit in us, but because of Christ’s work on the cross.

This brings us to the crux of salvation: Ergo, it is all grace. Nothing in us can earn or deserve it. As Paul elsewhere reminds us, “it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, BSB). Any boasting, therefore, is a sign that we have misunderstood the very nature of salvation. If we boast in ourselves, we fail to see that salvation is entirely the work of God.

Finally, ergo, our hope is secure. If we are justified through Christ, then we have peace with God (Romans 5:1). Our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, not with ink, but with the precious blood of Christ. This is the ultimate conclusion of Paul’s argument in Romans 3: heaven is ours not by our effort, but by the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Ergo, we live in gratitude, knowing that everything—from our salvation to our future hope—rests in God’s hands. Amen.

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Ken Beaton
Graduated from Northpoint Bible College in Haverhill, MA with a B.A. in Biblical Studies/Pastoral Ministry. He and his wife reside in Penfield, NY. Ken is an elder serving in Evangelical Church of Fairport for the past twenty years.