Romans study section
Romans word studies
A handful of Greek words carry the theology of Romans. Tap the speaker next to any word to hear it pronounced.
Key words
δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) — “Righteousness”
Usage: Romans 1:17; 3:21-22; 4:3; 10:3
Meaning: Righteousness, justice, a right standing before God. Related to dikaioō, “to justify, declare righteous.”
Theological Significance: The gospel reveals “the righteousness of God” — both His just character and the righteous standing He credits to sinners by faith. God justifies the ungodly, declaring them righteous in Christ, apart from works (Romans 3:21-26; 4:5; Philippians 3:9).
πίστις (pistis) — “Faith”
Usage: Romans 1:17; 3:22, 28; 4:16; 10:17
Meaning: Faith, trust, belief, reliance. The instrument through which we receive God’s righteousness.
Theological Significance: Justification is “by faith apart from works of the law.” Faith is not a work but a receiving — trusting in Christ and what He has done. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 3:28; 10:17; Ephesians 2:8-9).
χάρις (charis) — “Grace”
Usage: Romans 3:24; 5:2, 15, 20-21; 11:6
Meaning: Grace, unmerited favor, a free gift.
Theological Significance: Salvation is by grace as a gift, not a wage earned. “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” and grace now reigns through righteousness to eternal life. If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works (Romans 3:24; 5:20-21; 11:6).
ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion) — “Propitiation”
Usage: Romans 3:25
Meaning: A propitiation, an atoning sacrifice that turns away wrath; also the “mercy seat” over the ark.
Theological Significance: God put Christ forward as the hilastērion, the sacrifice whose blood satisfies God’s just wrath against sin, so that God is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” The cross both upholds God’s justice and secures our pardon (Romans 3:25-26; 1 John 2:2).
νόμος (nomos) — “Law”
Usage: Romans 2:12; 3:20; 7:7; 8:3; 10:4
Meaning: Law, especially the law of Moses; also principle or rule.
Theological Significance: The law is holy and good, revealing God’s will and exposing sin, but it cannot justify or give life — it can only condemn. “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes,” accomplishing what the law could not (Romans 3:20; 8:3-4; 10:4).
My notes
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