Romans 3

Romans chapter 3 is a pivotal chapter in Paul’s letter to the Romans. It continues his argument about the universality of sin and the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. The chapter highlights the equality of Jews and Gentiles in their need for salvation and sets the stage for Paul’s explanation of justification by faith.

Verse 1: "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?"

Paul begins by addressing a potential question: If both Jews and Gentiles are under sin, what advantage is there in being a Jew? What value is there in the Jewish practices like circumcision?

Verse 2: "Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God."

Paul acknowledges that there is indeed an advantage. The Jews were entrusted with the oracles or words of God, meaning the Scriptures, which is a significant privilege.

Verse 3: "What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?"

Paul raises this question in the context of discussing God's promises to Israel and the apparent unbelief or disobedience of some Jewish people. The core issue here is whether the unfaithfulness of people can impact the reliability and fulfillment of God’s promises.

Paul's rhetorical question anticipates a concern that the unfaithfulness of some might suggest that God could also be unfaithful or that His promises are unreliable. However, he quickly dispels this notion by affirming that God's faithfulness is unwavering and is not dependent on human behavior. This underscores a foundational principle of the gospel: God remains true to His word and His character, despite human inconsistency or rebellion.

Verse 4: "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.'"

Paul emphatically denies that God’s faithfulness is affected by human unfaithfulness. He quotes Psalm 51:4 to emphasize that God’s truth and righteousness remain intact, regardless of human failure.

Verse 5: "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.)"

Paul anticipates a possible objection: If human unrighteousness highlights God’s righteousness, is it unjust for God to judge us? Paul notes that this is a flawed, human way of thinking.

Verse 6: "Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?"

Paul rejects the idea that God’s judgment is unjust. If God could not judge unrighteousness, He could not be the righteous judge of the world.

Verse 7: "Someone might argue, 'If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?'"

Paul presents another hypothetical objection: If a lie brings out God’s truthfulness and glorifies Him, why should the liar still be condemned?

Verse 8: "Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—'Let us do evil that good may result'? Their condemnation is just!"

In this passage, Paul addresses a misrepresentation of his gospel message. Some critics argued that Paul's emphasis on grace (where sin increased, grace abounded even more, as outlined in Romans 5:20) might encourage people to sin more, under the rationale that more sin leads to more grace, thereby glorifying God even further. This argument twists Paul's message into suggesting that doing evil could be justified if it results in a greater display of God's grace or goodness.

Paul categorically rejects this idea and states that those who propagate such a claim are rightly condemned. This verse emphasizes the principle that God's grace is not a license to sin. Instead, grace should lead to righteousness and a transformed life. Paul's rebuttal underscores the integrity of the gospel and the moral responsibility of believers to live in a way that reflects the character of God, rather than exploiting His grace as an excuse for immoral behavior.

Verse 9: "What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have before proved that both Jews and Gentiles are all under the power of sin."

Paul concludes that Jews and Gentiles alike are under the condition of sin. No one has an inherent advantage when it comes to righteousness before God.

Verse 10: "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one;'"

Paul begins quoting a series of Old Testament passages (primarily from Psalms) to support his argument that no one is righteous on their own.

Here Paul states that no one is inherently righteous. The purpose of such a sweeping statement is not to deny the existence of faith or moral behavior in individuals but to emphasize that no human being can achieve the perfection required by God through their own efforts.

What About Abraham?
Regarding Abraham, it’s important to understand how Paul views his righteousness. Abraham is indeed described as righteous in Genesis 15:6, which says, "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Paul echoes this in Romans 4, using Abraham as a prime example of someone who was considered righteous because of his faith, not because of his adherence to the Law or his own moral perfection.

Paul's point is that Abraham's righteousness was a matter of divine grace responding to faith, not a result of inherently righteous character or flawless observance of God's commands. Thus, when Paul says in Romans 3:10 that there is no one righteous, he is speaking in terms of human ability to attain righteousness through personal merit or efforts. He clarifies in later chapters that biblical figures like Abraham were declared righteous through their faith, underscoring the theme that righteousness is a gift from God, granted to those who trust in Him, rather than something earned by human virtue or observance of the law.

Verse 11: "there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God."

This verse emphasizes the total spiritual blindness and estrangement of humanity from God. No one naturally seeks after God.

Verse 12: "All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

By declaring that "all have turned away," Paul sets up the necessity of salvation that is apart from the law. This is because the law, while it defines sin, does not empower individuals to overcome their sinful nature. Only through the grace provided in Jesus Christ can this separation from God be remedied.

Verse 13: "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips."

Paul continues to describe the sinful nature of humanity, particularly focusing on the sins of speech. The imagery of an "open grave" and "poison of vipers" illustrates the destructive and deadly nature of human words.

Verse 14: "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."

Paul further describes the sinful speech of humanity, filled with cursing and bitterness, reflecting the inner corruption of the heart.

Verse 15: "Their feet are swift to shed blood;"

Here, Paul transitions to describing actions. Humanity is quick to commit violence, illustrating the deep-seated sinfulness in human nature.

Verse 16: "ruin and misery mark their ways,"

The result of human sinfulness is a path of destruction and misery, both for themselves and for others.

Verse 17: "and the way of peace they do not know."

Humanity, apart from God, is ignorant of true peace, which comes from a right relationship with God.

Verse 18: "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Paul concludes the list with the root cause of all these sins: a lack of fear or reverence for God. Without this fear of God, people live as if God does not exist, leading to the sins previously described.

Verse 19: "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God."

Paul emphasizes that the Law (verses 10-18) speaks to those under it (specifically the Jews), so that "every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God." This is a pivotal point where he links the specific guilt of the Jews, who had the Law and did not follow it, to the broader point that all humanity is accountable to God. The phrase "every mouth may be silenced" refers to removing any basis for boasting or claiming moral superiority, specifically addressing the Jewish reliance on the Law for righteousness. While verse 19 does indeed highlight the Jews’ accountability due to the Law, the latter part of the verse ("and the whole world held accountable to God") broadens the scope again to include everyone, Jew and Gentile alike, under the power of sin. This structure allows Paul to make a comprehensive case that neither Gentiles (who sinned without the Law) nor Jews (who sinned under the Law) can claim righteousness on their own. This sets the stage for the introduction of a righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, applicable universally to all who believe (Romans 3:21-22).

Verse 20: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."

Paul concludes that no one can be justified or declared righteous by observing the Law. The true purpose of the Law is to make people aware of the sin within them and their need for God’s grace.

Verse 21: "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify."

Paul introduces the solution to humanity’s sin problem: a righteousness from God that is apart from the law but is attested by the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament Scriptures).

Verse 22: "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,"

This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ and is available to all who believe, regardless of whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

Verse 23: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Paul reiterates the universal sinfulness of humanity. Everyone has sinned and falls short of God’s glory, making them in need of salvation.

Verse 24: "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Despite this universal sinfulness, all who believe are justified freely by God’s grace, through the redemption provided by Christ Jesus. Justification is a gift, not something earned.

Verse 25: "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—"

Paul explains that God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement. This atonement is received by faith. God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, showing that He is just even as He forgives sins that had previously gone unpunished.

Verse 26: "he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."

God’s justice and mercy are both upheld in the gospel: He is just because He destroys the power of sin in humanity through Christ, and He justifies those who have faith in Jesus, declaring them righteous.

Verses 27-31: Justification by Faith for All

Verse 27: "Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith."

Paul argues that there is no room for boasting in salvation because it is not based on works but on faith. Faith excludes any human pride or self-reliance in the process of justification.

Verse 28: "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."

Paul clearly states the doctrine of justification by faith alone, apart from the works of the law. This is a foundational truth of the Christian faith.

Verse 29: "Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,"

Paul emphasizes the universality of God’s salvation, arguing that God is not just the God of the Jews but also of the Gentiles.

Verse 30: "since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith."

Since there is only one God, He justifies both Jews (the circumcised) and Gentiles (the uncircumcised) through the same faith. This reinforces the unity of God’s plan of salvation.

Verse 31: "Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law."

Paul concludes by addressing a potential misunderstanding: Does justification by faith nullify the law? On the contrary, Paul asserts that this faith in Christ actually upholds the law because true faith in Christ leads to a righteous life, fulfilling the law's purpose.

Both this verse and Matthew 5:17-18 address how faith in Christ and the coming of Christ fulfill the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 5:17-18 says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

Here’s how these passages interrelate:

Fulfillment, Not Abolition: In Matthew, Jesus clarifies that His mission isn't about discarding the Law but fulfilling it—bringing out its full meaning and revealing its deepest purposes. This includes not only meeting its demands through His perfect life but also expanding its interpretation and application, showing how it points towards Him and His teachings.

Upholding the Law through Faith: In Romans 3:31, when Paul says that faith does not nullify the law but upholds it, he aligns with Jesus' teaching. Paul suggests that true faith in Christ, which leads to justification, is not in contradiction to the Law; rather, it completes and realizes the Law's ultimate intent. By trusting in Christ and following His teachings, believers live out the righteousness that the Law aimed to cultivate.

Transformation of Understanding: Both passages signify a transformation in understanding the purpose of the Law in the light of Christ's coming. The Law is not merely a set of external rules but a guide that leads to Christ, and through Him, believers receive the righteousness the Law depicted but could not itself bestow.

Practical Outworking: Faith in Christ leads to a life that fulfills the moral and ethical teachings of the Law because the believer, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Christ, is empowered to live according to God's standards. This is a deeper fulfillment of the Law’s requirements, going beyond mere external adherence to embodying its principles in love, justice, and mercy.

Summary:
Romans Chapter 3 serves as a powerful explanation of the human condition and the divine solution. Paul makes it clear that all people, both Jews and Gentiles, are under sin and in need of salvation. The law reveals our sin but cannot save us. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, who has provided the means for our justification through His sacrificial death and His outpouring of righteousness, or His Spirit, to believers. This righteousness from God is offered freely by grace, excluding all human boasting, and is available to everyone who believes.