Or, “no distinction.” Gentiles and Jews are all included in the same method of salvation. The reason no distinction is made between them is that there is no difference in their need (v. 23).
Or, “by faith in Jesus Christ.” The Greek may be understood either way. In Mark 11:22, where the Greek reads literally, “have faith of God,” the KJV reads, “have faith in God.” Likewise, the literal “faith of his name” is translated “faith in his name” (Acts 3:16). The literal “the one out of faith of Jesus” is translated “him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). The saints are those who keep the commandments of God and have faith in Jesus (see Rev. 14:12; TM 58).
Some have preferred to understand “faith of Jesus” as here meaning the faith that Jesus Himself exercised, His faithfulness, the holy life He lived, and the perfect character He developed, which is given as a free gift to all who receive Him (see DA 762).
Compare “the faithfulness of God” (see on Rom. 3:3). Furthermore, His “faith” would include His faithfulness in His voluntary vicarious death (see Rom. 3:25, 26; cf. Phil. 2:8).
In any transaction of justification, both of these aspects are operative. The “faith of Jesus” is that which makes it possible for God to be “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). “Faith in Jesus” is the channel through which the individual comes into possession of the blessings of justification (see EGW Supplementary Material on ch. 4:3-5).
However, righteousness is not received as a reward for our faith in Christ, but rather faith is the means of appropriating righteousness. When in love and gratitude the believer in Jesus commits himself without reservation to the mercy and will of God, the righteousness of justification is imputed to him. And as he continues daily in this experience of trust, surrender, and fellowship, his faith increases, enabling him to receive more and more of the imparted righteousness of sanctification.
Faith is as it were the hand that the sinner stretches forth to receive the “free gift” of God’s mercy (ch. 5:15). This gift God is ever waiting and willing to bestow upon us, not as a reward for anything we may do, but simply because of His own infinite love. The gift is ours to receive, and it is received “through faith.”
And upon all.
Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) as to whether these words were part of the original manuscript. Their omission does not materially affect the sense.