δικαιούμενοι δωρεὰν τῇ αὐτοῦ χάριτι διὰ τῆς ἀπολυτρώσεως

Says 3:23–24: πάντες γὰρ ἥμαρτον καὶ ὑστεροῦνται τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ, δικαιούμενοι δωρεὰν τῇ αὐτοῦ χάριτι διὰ τῆς ἀπολυτρώσεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. ὑστεροῦνται is a present middle with the genitive, "fall short of" (Abbott-Smith lists Rom 3:23).

Says δωρεάν is an adverbial accusative, "freely, as a gift" (Abbott-Smith, Rom 3:24). τῇ αὐτοῦ χάριτι is a dative of means. Abbott-Smith defines ἀπολύτρωσις (apolytrōsis) as release effected by payment of ransom: "redemption, deliverance."

Uncertain What the nominative participle δικαιούμενοι attaches to. This note leans to πάντες (3:23): "all have sinned … and are justified" (BSB), where "all" are those who believe (3:22). The main alternative takes it as a fresh start, possibly the opening of a formula Paul adopts in 3:24–26a (Käsemann and Stuhlmacher, by reference).

Uncertain Whether ἀπολύτρωσις keeps the idea of a ransom price. This note leans to yes, because 3:25 names the price, "in His blood" (compare 1 Cor 6:20). The main alternative is deliverance without the price in view; Abbott-Smith notes that the extent is discussed.

Implies δικαιόω here is declarative. The verdict is given "freely" and "by His grace" (3:24) to the ungodly (4:5), and it is set against condemnation (5:9, 16; 8:33–34).