Notes
on God's Faithfulness
Paul is addressing the Romans
in a diatribe style that would be familiar to
them.
The Jew did not gain an
advantage by the law, for the law cannot save.
The real advantage to the Jew was the Abrahamic
covenant not the Mosaic covenant. The Abrahamic
covenant was a covenant of belief before law.
This and as seed of Abraham they shared in the
rich heritage that included the prophets. They
knew God and they knew his Holy Word. So those
who were Jews of Faith knew their Messiah when he
came and became Christian. Unfortunately many
Jews were only Jews on the outside and had law
but no faith. These are the lost Jews. God being
faithful and true kept his promises. The
sinfulness of the fallen did not nullify the
truth of God's promises.
Romans 3:1 What
advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is
there of circumcision?
- What then is the advantage of being a Jew
or what profit is in their circumcision.
- (As appropriate to his day Paul
opens this section with a
rhetorical question.)
Romans 3:2
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them
were committed the oracles of God.
- Great advantage, since among them were
the prophets.
Romans 3:3
For what if some did not believe? shall their
unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
- For what if some of them did not believe,
would their unbelief nullify God's
efforts.
- (No matter what we believe God
will be true. He cannot deny
himself. 2 Timothy
2:13)
Romans 3:4 God
forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a
liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be
justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome
when thou art judged.
- God forbid! let God be found true, though
every man be found a liar, as it is
written, "That you may be justified
in what you say and that you will prevail
when you are judged."
Romans 3:5
But if our unrighteousness commend the
righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God
unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a
man)
- But if our unrighteousness prompts God's
righteousness shall we say that God is
unjust in bringing his vengeance upon us?
(I am using a human argument.)
Romans 3:6
God forbid: for then how shall God judge the
world?
- God forbid, for then how shall God judge
the world?
- (Of God were to condone sin then how
could he render judgement on the day of
reckoning. "For God Himself is
judge" Psalms
50:6 and God will judge Psalms 58:11.)
Romans 3:7
For if the truth of God hath more abounded
through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also
judged as a sinner?
- If my lie enhances God's truthfulness
thereby increasing his glory, why am I
still condemned as a sinner?
Romans 3:8
And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported,
and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil,
that good may come? whose damnation is just.
- Why not say, "Let us do evil that
good may come"?As we have been
accused of saying by those damnable
slanderers who accuse us of such things.
- (The damnable slanderers are
never identified.)
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References in
Scripture Psalms 50:6
Psalms 51:4
Psalms 58:11
Psalms 116:11
Romans 3:1 - 8
Romans 9:4 - 5
2 Timothy 2:13
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Psalms 50:6
6 And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God
Himself is judge.
Psalms 51:4
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done
this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified
when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psalms 58:11
11 And men will say, "Surely there is a reward
for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on
earth!"
Psalms 116:11
11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
Romans 3:1 - 8
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or
what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because
that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
3 For what if some did not believe?
shall their unbelief make the faith of God without
effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true,
but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou
mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest
overcome when thou art judged.
5 But if our unrighteousness commend
the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God
unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
6 God forbid: for then how shall God
judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God hath more
abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also
judged as a sinner?
8 And not rather, (as we be
slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,)
Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is
just.
Romans 9:4 - 5
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption,
and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the
law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the
flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever.
Amen.
2 Timothy 2:13
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he
cannot deny himself.
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