Audio Download

The Book of Romans, Part 7 – God is Justified

[Study Aired July 25, 2023]

Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 
Rom 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 
Rom 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 
Rom 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. 
Rom 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) 
Rom 3:6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 
Rom 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? 
Rom 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.
Rom 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 
Rom 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 
Rom 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 
Rom 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 
Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 
Rom 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known: 
Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 
Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

In Romans 1 and 2 Paul chastises those who are judging improperly and teaches them how to properly judge. We must judge ourselves first before we can judge others. He also introduces the spiritual meaning of the physical world and what it means to be a true Jew.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 

Here in chapter 3 Paul continues to explain the law’s purpose and how to properly judge.

Rom 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 
Rom 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 
Rom 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. 

Psalm 51:1-4 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 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.

We must acknowledge our transgressions and our sin is against God himself.

Rom 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) 

In Romans 3:5, the apostle Paul presents a hypothetical question to address a potential objection or misunderstanding. Let’s break down the verse to understand its meaning:

“But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man)”

In this verse, Paul is discussing the concept of God’s righteousness in relation to mankind’s unrighteousness. The phrase “our unrighteousness” refers toour sinful actions and behaviors. Paul suggests that if, through our unrighteousness, God’s righteousness is made more evident or praised, then does it mean God is unjust when He punishes sinners?

The argument seems paradoxical, and Paul prefaces it by saying “I speak as a man.” This statement is used by Paul to signify that he is presenting a man’s line of reasoning or a hypothetical argument. He is not asserting this as a valid point but rather raising a question that some might pose, which he will soon address.

The point Paul is making is that God’s righteousness is demonstrated even more powerfully against the backdrop of mankind’s unrighteousness. God’s justice and holiness shine brightly when contrasted with the sinfulness of mankind. However, this does not mean that God is unjust in punishing sinners. On the contrary, His righteous judgment is entirely fair and just, even if it serves to highlight His righteousness. Paul uses the same type of argument discussing the law in 2 Corinthians 3:7-11.

2 Corinthians 3:7-11 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

In the following verses (Romans 3:6-8), Paul refutes this hypothetical argument and reaffirms that God’s judgment is just and necessary. He argues that if God’s righteousness is demonstrated through man’s unrighteousness, it doesn’t mean that God should tolerate or condone sin. God will still judge sin because He is holy and just, and He has made it clear through His law that sin leads to condemnation.

Rom 3:6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 
Rom 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? 
Rom 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.

In essence, Paul is emphasizing that God’s righteousness is not compromised or diminished by our unrighteousness. God’s justice remains perfect, and His judgment is without fault. This section of Romans highlights the universal sinfulness of mankind and the need for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, underscoring the righteousness of God’s plan of redemption.

Rom 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 
Rom 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 
Rom 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 
Rom 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 
Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 
Rom 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known: 
Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 

Romans 3:9-18 are quoted from the following Old Testament verses.

Psalm 14:1-3 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalm 53:1-3 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalm 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

Psalm 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Psalm 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.

Psalm 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

Psalm 59:12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

Isaiah 59:7-8 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

Here are the last two verses in our study.

Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

In these two verses (Romans 3:19-20), the apostle Paul explains the purpose and limitations of the law in relation to man’s righteousness and justification before God.

Romans 3:19 – The law speaks to those who are under it. Its purpose is to bring everyone to a recognition of their guilt before God. In other words, the law reveals the true extent of man’s sinfulness and renders every mouth silent, leaving no one with an excuse for their wrongdoing. The law demonstrates that all people are falling short of His perfect standard.

Romans 3:20 – The deeds or works done in an attempt to follow the law cannot justify anyone in God’s sight. No one can attain righteousness or be declared righteous by merely obeying the law. Instead, the law serves as a means to recognize sin and to gain knowledge of what is right and wrong in God’s eyes. It reveals the gap between human imperfection and God’s holiness, making it evident that no one can achieve salvation or righteousness through their own efforts under the law.

In essence, these verses affirm that the law highlights man’s sinfulness and inability to attain righteousness on our own. Instead, the knowledge of sin through the law points to the need for God’s grace and the redemption provided through faith in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God.