GOD’S FAITHFUNESS

Romans 3:1-20 / Keywords 3:3

What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?

 

God’s Faithfulness

3:1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 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.”[a]

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.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!

No One Is Righteous

9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one;

11     there is no one who understands;

    there is no one who seeks God.

12 All have turned away,

    they have together become worthless;

there is no one who does good,

    not even one.”[b]

13 “Their throats are open graves;

    their tongues practice deceit.”[c]

“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[d]

14     “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[e]

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16     ruin and misery mark their ways,

17 and the way of peace they do not know.”[f]

18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[g]

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. 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.

Footnotes

a. Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4

b. Romans 3:12 Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20

c. Romans 3:13 Psalm 5:9

d. Romans 3:13 Psalm 140:3

e. Romans 3:14 Psalm 10:7 (see Septuagint)

f. Romans 3:17 Isaiah 59:7,8

g. Romans 3:18 Psalm 36:1

1. The Jews had an important advantage over every other people on earth. They had the very words of God. That should have made them the most faithful people! But they were unfaithful. Did this mean that God was unfaithful? Not at all! Even if every human being on earth were a liar, God would be faithful. That is one of his immutable characteristics. In fact, Israel’s failure brought out God’s faithfulness more clearly—God’s punishment of sin exhibits his faithfulness to his righteousness. Nor can we say that God shouldn’t judge our sin because our sin is showing God’s righteousness. Paul likens it to saying, “Let us do evil that good may result.” That is absurd!

2. Verses 9-18 are verses from various Psalms and Isaiah. They are strong evidences that no one is righteous. Not any one of us! Paul’s conclusion of these verses is that no one can be made righteous by observing the law. There is no hope that we can make ourselves righteous with our own behavior. We can’t adhere to God’s standard of perfection. That’s what the law requires. Instead, we have faith in God, who sent Jesus Christ our Lord, that whoever believes in him shall have eternal life, as God has promised.

Prayer Father, no one is righteous, not even one. We should be condemned as sinners. But you are faithful, promising redemption through Jesus Christ. Save us through him!

One Word We are accountable to faithful God