Romans 3
The Advantage of the Jew and the Faithfulness of God In this section, Paul discusses the special position of the Jewish people. He asks what benefit there is to being a Jew and having God’s laws. He explains that while the Jews have been given great privileges, this does not mean God is unfair if they do not all believe. Paul also shows that everyone—Jew and Gentile—needs God’s mercy, because no one is perfect. God’s faithfulness is not cancelled out by human failure. v. 1: Paul asks, “What advantage then has the Jew? Or what is the profit of circumcision?” (Romans 3:1 a). He raises the question: If Jews can be unfaithful, what is the point of being a Jew or being circumcised? v. 2: He answers, “Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God” (Romans 3:2 b). The Jews were entrusted with God’s words and promises, which was a great privilege. v. 3: “For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?” (Romans 3:3 c). Paul says that even if some Jews do not believe, that does not mean God will break his promises. v. 4: “Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: ‘That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged’” (Romans 3:4; Psalm 51:4 d). God is always faithful and true, even if people are not. God’s faithfulness is proven, even if everyone else fails. v. 5: Paul asks, “But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?” (Romans 3:5 e). Some might say that if our sin makes God look better, it would not be fair for God to judge us. v. 6: “Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?” (Romans 3:6 f). Paul answers that God must judge sin, or he would not be a fair judge. v. 7: “For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?” (Romans 3:7 g). Someone might ask why they are blamed if their sin shows God’s truthfulness more clearly. v. 8: “And why not say, ‘Let us do evil that good may come’?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just” (Romans 3:8 h). Paul rejects the idea that we can do wrong so that good will result. He says that people who think this way deserve to be judged. v. 9: “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin” . Paul says Jews are not better than others, because everyone is guilty of sin. v. 10: “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one’” (Romans 3:10; Psalm 14:1–3 i). Paul begins to quote the Old Testament to show that no one is truly righteous. v. 11: “There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:11 j). People do not naturally seek God or fully understand him. v. 12: “They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12 k). Everyone has turned from God’s way and failed to do what is good. v. 13: “Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips” (Romans 3:13; Psalm 5:9; 140:3 l). Paul shows that people use their words for evil. v. 14: “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (Romans 3:14; Psalm 10:7 m). People often speak with anger and harshness. v. 15: “Their feet are swift to shed blood” (Romans 3:15; Isaiah 59:7 n). People are quick to hurt others. v. 16: “Destruction and misery are in their ways” (Romans 3:16 o). v. 17: “And the way of peace they have not known” (Romans 3:17 p). v. 18: “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18; Psalm 36:1 q). People do not respect or fear God as they should. v. 19: Paul says, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” The law shows everyone their guilt, so no one can make excuses. This means that the law speaks to those who know it (the Jews), but its purpose is to show that everyone is guilty—not just Jews, but the whole world. The law leaves people with no excuses, so that everyone is accountable to God. v. 20: “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” No one can be made right with God just by keeping the law, because the law’s purpose is to show us our sin and our need for God’s mercy. The law helps us see our need for God’s grace and forgiveness, but it cannot save us. Its role is to reveal sin, not to justify us before God.
Copyright information for
MHM