Passage
ESV Romans 3:1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?
2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?
4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”
5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.)
6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world?
7 But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?
8 And why not do evil that good may come?– as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.
Outline
There will be objections whenever the true gospel is preached. Here Paul responds to hypothetical objections to God’s faithfulness to his OT promises and His justice in punishing sinners. Douglas Moo sums up the argument as this: “ How is it ‘right’ for God to judge people when their sin magnifies His goodness and glory? In summary, Paul refutes four objections to the gospel:
- Vs. 1-2 First Objection: there is no advantage to being a Jew
- Vs. 3-4 Second Objection: God has broken His promise to the Jews
- Vs. 5-6 Third Objection: God is an unrighteous Judge
- Vs. 7-8 Fourth Objection: human responsibility doesn’t exist
Putting God on trial is not the answer to our sin. Instead, we are called to take responsibility for our own sin.