3:25 whom God put forward. See theological note “The Atonement.” Christ died as a propitiatory sacrifice that satisfies the divine judgment against sinners, bringing about forgiveness and justification. But Paul is careful to indicate that the sacrifice does not cause God to love us. The opposite is true—God’s love caused Him to offer His Son (5:8; 8:32; John 3:16).

by faith. The emphasis of v. 22 is repeated and thereby underscored. “By” indicates the means of our being linked to the righteousness of Christ. Faith is the instrumental cause, not the ultimate cause, of justification.