Following his detailed discussion about sin and wrath (Romans 1:18–3:20), Paul, in Romans 3:21–31 returns to what he had already briefly said about the universal nature of salvation through Jesus Christ. Both in the opening words of his letter (Romans 1:2–5) as well as in concluding the personal introductory section (Romans 1:15–17), Paul had already written about the gospel as a power for salvation to everyone who believes, first the Jew and then also all other nations. Romans 3:21–31 could therefore be seen as an elaboration upon the idea already introduced in Romans 1:15–17, and which had been interrupted in Romans 1:18–3:20. In this passage he concludes that Israel’s history, and in particular the law given to Israel was not for nothing. In the history of this people, God became audible and his patience was revealed. Furthermore, it is from this same people that the promised One came—the One in whom we place our faith and through whom we can now experience God’s glory first-hand. The Gentile Christians therefore do not have to disregard the unbelieving synagogue as if it were simply bypassed by the gospel. In fact, Paul here provides them with the necessary tools to remind the non-Christian Jews about the true meaning of their own past.¹