Episode 16: Romans 3:1-8

In this episode, I walk through Romans 3:1-8. This passage is going to discuss four main objections or challenges that Paul was receiving at the time. He is going to address these challenges through a series of questions. This passage will discuss four major topics: the Jewish advantage, God’s faithfulness, God’s righteousness, and just condemnation of cheap grace. This text is part of Paul’s plan to introduce grace to the Roman readers through showing them the bad news first.

“Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.” Verses 1-2

Paul very clearly acknowledges a major advantage the Jews possessed over the Gentiles. This advantage was the Law. God gave His covenant people, the Jews, the written Law for them to know the difference between right and wrong. The Gentiles had no written law to show them the difference between right and wrong. The Jews had access to the Law that would show them how they were to live, yet they still rebelled. These two verses acknowledge the clear advantage the Jews had in having the law.

“What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 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.’” Verses 3-4

One of the recurring teachings of both the Old Testament and the New Testament is God’s faithfulness despite man’s unfaithfulness. Paul is staying true to those teachings by hammering down on the faithfulness of God. Paul is explaining that God is faithful whether or not we keep our end of the bargain. The Jews had not kept their end of the bargain, yet Paul is showing that God remains faithful. He is faithful to do what He says He will do. There is nothing that would stop God from accomplishing His will. God is faithful to His people even when His people are not faithful to Him.

“But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteousness to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world?” Verses 5-6

These verses are essentially saying something along the lines of, “How is God’s wrath justified if He knew we would not be able to keep His commandments?” Paul is answering a line of questioning that stems from a misinterpretation of the Law. Some saw the Law as this unreasonable contract with God that destined humanity for destruction. Paul viewed the Law as the first step towards redemption. It showed the difference between right and wrong, which was an act of grace. It gave the Jews a clear target to shoot at. The law did not condemn humanity, humanity was condemned before the law. The law was an act of grace to show God’s people how to live righteous lives.

“But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come?— as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.” Verses 7-8

These verses are saying, “Since God’s light shines brighter because of our darkness, doesn’t it glorify God for us to keep sinning?” Paul was absolutely against this view. There were people that accused of Paul of teaching a cheap grace that essentially said those words. Paul calls this accusation slanderous and says that any thinking along those lines is worthy of condemnation. Paul will confront this accusation further in chapter 6 of Romans.

In summary, Paul was facing a variety of different challenges and objections to his teachings. He was being asked about the Jewish advantage, God’s faithfulness despite man’s sin, God’s righteous judgement, and a just condemnation of cheap grace. This is really the transition point in Romans where Paul will shift from discussing condemnation and judgement to grace and faith. As we continue studying the book of Romans, we will see Paul teach on the topic of grace, salvation, and eternal security.