Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: (Romans 3:22)

While meditating upon the above verse, I was struck by the “unto all and upon all” phrase.

I should add in passing that the righteousness of God refers to salvation.

In context, Romans has previously showed that all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, are alike under sin. In this part of Romans, we are being shown that as they are alike under condemnation, the way of escape is the same for both Jew and Gentile. There is not a Jewish salvation and a Gentile salvation; there is one way for all.

I don’t agree with the concept of a limited atonement, and the “unto all” of this verse is one of the reasons. Thankfully, the salvation of God is offered to everyone in the world. Someone wrote: This righteousness is broad enough to cover every sinner and every sin. It is pure enough to meet the eye of God himself. It is therefore the sinner’s only shield.

However, not all the world is automatically saved; this salvation is upon all them that believe. It is offered to everyone, but only “upon” those who believe.