Through the Bible in One Year

Day 252

Romans 3:1-8

Paul having finished, for now, dealing with the Jews and the Law moves onto another key point in proving that God shows no favoritism.  That key point is God’s faithfulness.  And more specifically God’s faithfulness to everybody, proven through his faithfulness to the Jews even though some of them have been unfaithful.  Keep that thought in mind as we read through these eight verses.

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak

and prevail when you judge.”

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!  Romans 3:1-8

Now that we have read through the entire passage let’s break it down section by section.  And in order to do that we are going to divide it into two sections: vv. 1-4 and vv. 5-8.

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak

and prevail when you judge.”—3:1-4

Even though Jewish privilege does not compensate for disobedience (Romans 2:25-29), Paul is emphatic that the privilege is real.  The Jews had not only received but been entrusted with God’s own words.  Being entrusted means they have a responsibility, but some have not fulfilled that responsibility.   Paul raises the hypothetical question of whether that puts God’s plan in jeopardy: does human disobedience and irresponsibility mean that God will not carry out the purpose that he has undertaken to fulfill?  Of course not!!! Even if the whole world proves unfaithful, God cannot be.  He not only is faithful but, in the end, will be seen to be faithful when he judges.

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!—3:5-8

Paul’s dialogue partner asks a silly question that could be said to result from verse 4: If in the face of human wickedness God is proven right (v. 4b), does human wickedness then enhance God’s reputation for greatness (v. 5a)?  And if so, surely God should not punish us—after all, we have helped him (5b)!  Paul does not put up with this nonsense for a moment.  He has said in verse 4 that God will prevail when he judges, and God will judge (v. 6).  A different version of the same ridiculous question is asked again in verse 7.  Haven’t I done good, rather than bad, in enhancing your reputation by my sin, God?  Paul explains in verse 8 that these are not merely hypothetical questions; he has actually heard these kinds of questions.  Paul’s message of justification for sinners (Romans 4:5), as well as the the supremacy of grace over abundant sin (Romans 5:20), has mad some think that Paul says we can sin more and more to get more and more grace.  These opponents of Paul will get the judgement they deserve.  And we will pick up there tomorrow as we see Paul continue on with the theme that Paul has started developing today, and that is that no one is righteous.

Tomorrow’s Bible Readings:

Isaiah 6-7, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 54:1-7 and Proverbs 23:1-3