Romans 3:26 meaning

Paul writes that Jesus's death was a demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (v 26).

The English words righteousness, just, and justifier are the noun, adjective, and verb forms of the Greek root word "dike." Jesus does the action and He is the justifier (verb). We can add nothing. No amount of "doing good" on our part adds to our becoming just in His sight.

We become just (adjective, describing our relationship with God) when we receive the free gift Jesus gives from His action (verb) of dying on the cross. When we become just (adjective) by receiving the free gift that stems from the action of Jesus justifying (verb), then we become righteous or just before God (noun). This is now our legal position before God.

We are just before God not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done on our behalf as the one taking the action; Jesus is the justifier. Jesus can justify because He paid the price for our redemption (v 24).