Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
For therein. This statement refers to something said previously. In v16 we are told of the gospel of Christ. Paul is telling us that within the gospel of Christ righteousness is revealed. Righteousness at this point is revealed because that righteousness has already come. We will learn more of this later in our study. Righteousness is revealed, not acquired, not procured, not distributed, it is revealed. That is the role of faith. Faith reveals the work of Christ. Notice here from faith to faith. We have righteousness revealed out of faith or from faith. The preposition from in the Greek attached to this first mention of faith denotes movement out of or from. The preposition to that is linked to the second faith shows movement as well but it is into or within. It is out of one faith and into another. What produces faith in us? Let us use the words of Paul to show us just what produces faith.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
We see the mode by which faith is given. It is by the foolishness of preaching. What is preached? The gospel of Christ is preached. Righteousness is revealed out of the gospel of Christ to our faith. That is what Paul is telling us in Romans 1:17. He is showing us that there is movement from this faith, this gospel of Christ that ends in our faith. The gospel of Christ reveals righteousness. It in actuality did more than just reveal, this gospel, the work of Christ produced righteousness. The gospel revealing righteousness correlates with the phrase from faith to faith. The gospel, the first faith mentioned, reveals the righteousness of God, that righteousness earned by Christ, to our faith.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
The gospel of your salvation. This is not the gospel of your potential salvation. It is the word of truth, the gospel of Christ that within it is revealed the righteousness of God which is our salvation. Out of that faith, out of that gospel, that righteousness is revealed to us by faith. Faith’s purpose is to see and rest in the finished work of Christ. To add anything to this gospel, to add any condition that a man must perform is to not trust in this work as finished. It is to say that one more step is needed and in that we are not resting in Him. Faith, true faith, is to rest in the cross of Jesus Christ. To trust in no experience or work but to look to His completed obedience. Our life comes by that faith, that finished work of our savior. Look at the words to the song My faith has found a resting place:
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.