Romans 3
1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged." 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?--as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
Observation:
1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?
2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?
4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)
6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?How they are accusing Paul?
7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8a And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?
8b --as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say.Is their condemnation is just?
8c Their condemnation is just.
Interpretation:
(WW) In Romans 3:1-8, Paul summed up the argument and refuted those Jews who tried to debate with him. They raised three questions.
1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?
2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.(DG) Paul knows there are many advantages God gave to the Jewish people. In particular, He entrusted them with the oracles of God, which speaks of God’s written revelation before the time of Jesus. He gave the Jewish people His Word, and that is an indescribable gift.
Paul will later expand on the advantage of the Jewish people in Romans 9:4, explaining that Israel also had the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises.
(Trapp) “This was their prime privilege, that they were God’s library-keepers, that this heavenly treasure was concredited to them.”
How they might have taken advantage of God given oracles?
They suppose to be:Romans 2:18-20a - 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20a an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes,
Did they really take advantage of God given oracles?
They didn't really take advantage of God given oracles. They misused and misrepresented God by ritually following them but not following from the bottom of their heart and develop the relationship with God.
Romans 2:17,20b-24 - 17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, ... ... 20b having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written.
Application:
What is the advantage of being a Christians?
God has given the Bible (both New & Old Testament) to Christians which contains information/history(His-Story) about what God has done to humanity and how He dealt with them.
God has given His Spirit to those who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
Following portion covers how the Bible helps the Christians to a true Christian life. For more details read also Theoretical knowledge and Experiential Knowledge.
Who is the model for the Christians?
Jesus is our model and His our perfect example to follow.
1 John 4:17 - Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world
NLT: 1 John 4:17 - And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world.
Are we bold enough to say "Be a imitators of me as I imitate Jesus Christ"?
1 Cor 11:1 - Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
1 Cor 4:16 - Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
Eph 5:1 - Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
Titus 3:8 - This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
What are the ways that we can imitate Jesus Christ?
In Matthew 5 Jesus taught us many moral lessons (The Beatitudes) to us to follow with.
Are you light to others? or Are you light of the world?
Who is the light of the world initially?
John 9:5 - As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Who is the light of the world now?
Matt 5:14-16 - 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Are you the salt of this earth? Is our speech seasoned with salt?
Matt 5:13 - "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
James 1:19 - 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Are we labor in love especially loving those who didn't love you or love those who difficult to love?
Loving others is not easy and it requires effort. Do it with the power of Holy Spirit i.e. with the help of God.
Matt 5:43-47 - 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Read Experiencing And Staying In The Love Of God for more practical details.
Warning: Do not live just in the past experience. Continue to stay in the love relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus not only taught us moral lessons He also set an example how dynamically listen to Holy Spirit and do/follow as per His leading:
John 5:19 - Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
How God talk/lead us to do some specific task?
God lead us through His Holy Spirit to do His will:
Acts 13:2 - 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Gal 5:16-26 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law ......
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?
4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."What it means "their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect"?
What is God doing faithfully?
Whether people believe or not God is faithfully ...
Put eternity in everyone's heart:
Rom 1:19 - because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
Ecc 3:11 - He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
NLT: Ecc 3:11 - God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.
Placed everyone geographically in a particular place to make everyone to seek Him:
Acts 17:27a - 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might
Revealing everyone through His creation. This is a general revelation of God to all humanity:
Rom 1:20-21 - 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Keeps on convicting all of us through Holy Spirit that we need to believe in Jesus, God's Righteousness is readily and freely available in the Gospel, and Satan is judged by Jesus so that Satan has no power over believers in Christ:
John 16:8,9 - 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
NLT: John 16:8,9 - 7 But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Counselor won't come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world's sin is unbelief in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the prince of this world has already been judged.
If you didn't respond to the gentle, soft and tender voice of Jesus Christ through Holy Spirit as in the song "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling..." then please respond Him now. Do not delay.
Rev 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Matt 11:28 - 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Keeps on sending Evangelist and Missionaries to reach out everyone:
Rom 10:14,15 - 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
Does His faithful efforts go waste?
Romans 2:4a Certainly not!His faithful work never go waste. As they say some are not believing by rejecting the gospel but there are many responding to the faithful work of God and started believing. As per 2 Peter 3:9 God is enduring our irritation patiently for long time looking forward for our repentance:
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Only problem here is they didn't understand the longsuffering of God or How long God will wait for our repentance?.
(DG) The fact that the Jewish people as a whole to that point had rejected the gospel did not mean that God’s faithfulness to them was in vain. It did not mean that God’s work was futile or without effect.
(Spurgeon) “I have to say, with Paul, ‘What if some did not believe?’ It is no new thing; for there have always been some who have rejected the revelation of God. What then? You and I had better go on believing, and testing for ourselves, and proving the faithfulness of God, and living upon Christ our Lord, even though we see another set of doubters, and another, and yet another ad infinitum. The gospel is no failure, as many of us know.”
Why God's faithful efforts will not go waste?
Romans 2:4b Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.Through out the whole Bible we read God is faithfully working on reaching out fallen humanity. There are many promises God has revealed. Few of them are here:
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 10:9-11,13 - 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Ezekiel 18:31-32 - 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord God. "Therefore turn and live!
God's word and promises never fails/changes:
Heb 4:12 - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Num 23:19 - "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Isaiah 55:11 - 10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it
Spurgeon on let God be true but every man a liar: “It is a strange, strong expression; but it is none too strong. If God says one thing, and every man in the world says another, God is true, and all men are false. God speaks the truth, and cannot lie. God cannot change; his word, like himself, is immutable. We are to believe God’s truth if nobody else believes it. The general consensus of opinion is nothing to a Christian. He believes God’s word, and he thinks more of that than of the universal opinion of men.”
God is faithfully reaching out by revealing Himself to all humanity through many means. But they say in case if some humanity didn't respond to His faithful revelation or if they keep on not believing in Him then faithfulness of God will be without effect ie all His faithful efforts go mere waste.
Application: How many of us want to work in a place where you are not certain that whether you get paid or not?
Sometimes working in God's Kingdom seems like this. We serve the almighty God's timeline so, we may not reap the result/outcome of our efforts in our timeline or our time period. One such example is God has promised Abraham but God literally fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Gal 3:16 - Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.
We believers in Christ are called to do whatever Jesus Christ lead us to do. So, sometime we sow a seed, water plant someone already sowed or reap the fruit which someone already sowed and watered. We do our part let God do increase. All glory goes to God. But God never forget even single bit of work you have done for His furtherance of His Kingdom. He will definitely reward us.
1 Cor 3:6-8 - 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
What it means "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."?
4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."Paul is quoting reference form
Ps 51:4 - Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge
(DG) Instead, we are reminded that God will be justified in all His actions.
It means "God will be proved right in what He says, and He will win His case in court."
NIV: Romans 3:4 - Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."
NLT: Romans 3:4 - Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say, "He will be proved right in what he says, and he will win his case in court."
John 8:46 - 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
Application: Does God's word and promises are true to you?
(Clarke) “Should any man say that the promise of God had failed toward him, let him examine his heart and his ways, and he will find that he has departed out of that way in which alone God could, consistent with his holiness and truth, fulfill the promise.”
(JC) There are times when people say, “I prayed and nothing happened,” or, “I had devotions and it’s not working,” or, “I go to church and don’t receive anything,” or, “I’m doing all the things Scripture tells me to, but it’s just not happening.”
And I have to respond in love, “You’re a liar because God promises that if we draw close to Him, He’ll draw close to us, (James 4:8). Therefore, somebody’s lying—and it’s not God.”
Feeling a bit dry in my spirit and a bit distanced from the Lord in my heart, I grabbed my Bible one evening and strolled through Jacksonville, Oregon, reading the books of Amos and Joel as I walked. And you know what happened? Even though Amos and Joel are far from lighthearted reading, I found myself smiling. Why? Because the Lord used His Word to minister to my heart in a beautifully satisfying way. Truly the Lord will meet anyone who will take time to open the Word and seek Him.
We’re so fortunate, gang. We don’t have to answer everyone’s questions or solve their problems. But with great confidence we can just tell them that if they seek Him, the Lord will draw near to them.
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)
6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?Why Paul says that "I Speak as a man"?
(DG) When Paul says I speak as a man, he isn’t trying to imply that he no longer speaks by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and proper apostolic authority. He is explaining that only as a man - a fallen man at that - would anyone dare to question God’s justice.
Paul is trying to address/answer the these popular questions that are floating among the Jews.
Application: Is there any popular questions/sayings like this out there now?
Why loving God going to judge and send some to Hell? Didn't God forgive all of us and not send anyone to Hell?
What is your opinion about God? or What is your opinion about the Bible?
We are living in a postmodern world so people are looking for others opinion instead of absolute truth.
Why God will judge anyone and send to Hell if He wired us while He created us as Homosexuals, prostitute/sexually passionate, thief but proceed goes to good cause, Drug addicts, ...?
How can a good God allow evil in the world? Since evil exist in this world so there is no God at all.
How our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God?
Through Adam & Eve's sin we have clearly seen the God's righteous judgment.
Gen 3:15 - 14 So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." 16 To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you." 17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.
Throughout the Bible we have seen God's righteousness when God deals with people's sins.
Each time we sin we reveal God's righteousness because sin means missing the mark or expectation of God's righteousness.
Warning: For this reason some think God allowed sin to enter into the world to demonstrate His righteousness. So, that these type of questions aroused and floating among the Jews.
(DG) Paul was familiar with the line of thinking that says, “God is in control of everything. Even my evil will ultimately demonstrate His righteousness. Therefore God is unjust if He inflicts His wrath on me, because I’m just a pawn in His hand.”
Windup your opinion, thinking and understanding and know what the Bible says about this:
Is it possible for God to demonstrates His righteousness without our unrighteousness?
Yes.
How God demonstrates His righteousness without our unrighteousness?
Let us assume Adam & Eve didn't sin and everyone is righteous.
In this case we might have
Not known the unrighteousness or sin.
Not experienced how painful God's discipline/punishments/judgments are.
Since everyone is not sinning or not doing unrighteous deeds so we might have not get a chance to see the righteous judgment of God.
Lived a righteousness life by keeping one law God has given to Adam & Eve.
Walked with God like how Adam walked with God in the cool of the day.
Enjoyed God's love relationship
At the same time we might have experienced the righteousness of God
God might have demonstrated His righteousness to all of us through rebellious Satan like how Jesus demonstrated His righteousness by not sinning to all of His temptations caused by Satan.
Luke 4:1-13 - 1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. 3 And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' " 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,' 11 "and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' " 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Heb 4:15 - For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Through His upright living such as integrity, faithfulness, not lying, not pretending, not gossiping, ...
God must have not eaten the fruit of good and evil even if He is very hungry/tempted to eat while He is talking with Adam under that tree.
God must have faithfully fulfilled all His promises. This shows his faithfulness, integrity, truthfulness, righteousness. Similar to how God faithfully fulfilled His promises:
God fulfilled His promise to Abraham through Jesus.
God fulfilled His promise by rescuing Israel from Egypt.
God fulfilled His promise by giving them the promise land.
God fulfilled His promise by sacrificing His Son on the Cross on our behalf.
Does God needs our unrighteous deeds to demonstrate His righteousness? or
Does God really needs to demonstrate His righteousness at the cost of our unrighteousness?No, not at all.
Our sin surely and clearly demonstrated the God's righteousness but God is not interested in demonstrating His righteousness at the cost of our unrighteousness.
Did God used/asked Judas to betray Jesus to demonstrate His righteousness?
No, God never do that.
(DG) In theory, the most dramatic example of someone who might ask this question is Judas. Can you hear Judas make his case? “Lord, I know that I betrayed Jesus, but You used it for good. In fact, if I hadn’t done what I did, Jesus wouldn’t have gone to the cross at all. What I did even fulfilled the Scriptures. How can You judge me at all?” The answer to Judas might go like this: “Yes, God used your wickedness but it was still your wickedness. There was no good or pure motive in your heart at all. It is no credit to you that God brought good out of your evil. You stand guilty before God.”
Did God ever tempt anyone or make anyone to sin for any reason?
No, He never do that.
James 1:13-15 - 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Adam, and all of us choose to sin through our free will but God wants all of us to choose to believe in Him, love Him and follow Him.
Now tell "Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?"
No, and not at all as Paul says in verse 6.
Romans 3:6 - Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
As we have already seen that God never used or wants anyone's unrighteousness to demonstrates His righteousness. So, God is just and punish us by pouring out His wrath if we didn't repent.
What it means "For then how will God judge the world"?
It means "If their statement is true then How will God judge the world?"
NIV: Romans 3:6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?
NLT: Romans 3:6 Of course not! If God is not just, how is he qualified to judge the world?
Is their statement is true?
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)No their statement is wrong.
As we have already seen that God never used or wants anyone's unrighteousness to demonstrates His righteousness. So, God will Judge this world righteously on the Judgment day.
(DG) Paul dismisses the question of his opponent easily. If things were such as his opponent suggested, then God could judge no one!
It is true that God will use even the unrighteousness of man to accomplish His work and bring praise to His name - Judas’ betrayal of Jesus is a perfect example. Nevertheless, part of the way God glorifies Himself in man’s sin is by righteously judging that unrighteousness.
(DG) For both Paul and his readers it was given that a judgment day was coming, when some would be acquitted and some condemned. He didn’t need to contest this point; it was simply understood in that culture.
Paul understood that God would judge the world, both Jew and Gentile. The Jews of Paul’s day figured that God would condemn the Gentile for his sin, but save the Jew despite his sin.
Paul was answering their justification "Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?" by saying "Certainly not!" and further insisting then if God is unjust then How God will judge the world?
Romans 3:6 - Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
Romans 3:4 - Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."
Application: What lesson you have learned from this passage?
God don't want us to live unrighteous life to demonstrate His righteousness.
He is God and He don't want our help to demonstrate His righteousness.
He is God and He know how to demonstrate/reveal His righteousness to us without our help.
7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8a And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?
This argument is same as in Romans 2:5
(DG) Paul re-states the objection of an imaginary questioner: “If God will glorify Himself through my lie, how can He judge me, since I seem to indirectly increase His glory?”
Romans 2:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?
God doesn't need our help. As in Romans 1:18 unrighteous people suppress truth but never increase the truth of God.
Romans 1:18 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
The answer to this is Certainly not! as in Romans 2:6a
Romans 2:6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
How they were accusing Paul?
8 And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"? --as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say.They were accusing Paul saying that he is teaching "Let us do evil that good may come"?
Is this what Paul teaching?
No.
Why then they were accusing Paul?
They were accusing Paul because he is teaching the simple gospel that by Grace and through Faith alone God saves anyone apart from keeping the law.
Romans 3:21 - 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
Ephesians 2:8-9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Romans 5:20-21 - 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
They have twisted his clear teaching to "Let us do evil that good may come".
(DG) This was a perversion of Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith, and an extension of the objection of his imaginary questioner. If you take the thinking of Paul’s adversary far enough, you end up saying, “Let’s sin as much as we can so God can be glorified even more.” This shows us that one way to examine a teaching is to extend its meaning and consequences and see where you end up.
Of course, let us do evil that good may come was not Paul’s teaching. He makes it clear that we are slanderously reported to teach this. Still, it is possible to see how this accusation came as Paul freely preached forgiveness and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, not works.
Most Christian preaching is so far from the true gospel of free grace that Paul preached that there is no way anyone could even slanderously report that they taught “let us do evil that good may come.” If we find ourselves sometimes accused of preaching a gospel that is “too open” and too centered on faith and grace and God’s work then we find ourselves in good company with Paul.
Application: What lesson you have learned from this passage?
Beware while teaching faith alone saves people. The faith that the Bible teaches about has to produce works as its fruit then only that faith is genuine.
James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Whose condemnation is just?
8c Their condemnation is just.The condemnation is just for whomever saying/preaching/teaching "Let us do evil that good may come".
NIV: Romans 3:8 - Why not say--as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say--"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.
NLT: Romans 3:8 - If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach!
(DG) Paul will not even answer such an absurd twisting of his gospel. He simply says of those who would teach such things or accuse Paul of teaching them, their condemnation is just. God rightly condemns anyone who teaches or believes such a thing.
Warning: (DG)
Twisting the glorious free gift of God in Jesus into a supposed license to sin is perhaps the summit of man’s depravity. It takes the most beautiful gift of God and perverts it and mocks it.
This twisting is so sinful Paul saves it for last, because it is beyond the depravity of the pagan (Romans 1:24-32), beyond the hypocrisy of the moralist (Romans 2:1-5), and beyond the false confidence of the Jew (Romans 2:17-29).
All are sinners or The Whole World Is Guilty!
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." 13 "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; 14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known." 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Observation:
9a What then? Are we better than they?
9b Not at all.Why they were charged?
9c For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.Is "all are sinners/unrighteous" a New Testament teaching/concept?
10a As it is written:10b "There is none righteous, no, not one;
11a There is none who understands;
11b There is none who seeks after God
12a They have all turned aside;
12b They have together become unprofitable;
12c There is none who does good, no, not one."
13a "Their throat is an open tomb;
13b With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
13c "The poison of asps is under their lips";
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
What does the law say to all?
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.Why are all the people in the world are guilty? or Is there anyone justified in God's sight by the deeds of the law?
20a Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.Why did God give this law?
20b for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Interpretation:
Who does Paul refers to as "we" here?
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.(DG) Since Paul was Jewish by birth and heritage (Philippians 3:4-6), when he says “we” he means “we Jews.”
Philippians 3:4-6 - 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Are Jews better than Greeks/Gentiles? or 9a What then? Are we better than they?
9b Not at all.Why Jews and Greeks/Gentiles were charged?
9c For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.What is "under sin" means?
Under sin means that we all are under the control of sin because we all are born in sin nature.
(DG) Under sin is a powerful phrase. It speaks of our slavery to sin, literally meaning “sold under sin.” By nature every person knows what it is like to be a slave to sin, both Jews and Greeks.
(Poole) “Under the power of sin, but chiefly under the guilt of sin.”
Paul explains Jews and Greeks/Gentiles are all under sin in Romans 1:18-3:8:
God's Wrath Revealed on worst sinners who replace God with something else or Idols and do whatever they want:
Romans 1:32 - who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
God's wrath revealed/announced on those who claims to be morally good:
Romans 2:1 - Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
Romans 2:12 - For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law
Romans 2:16 - in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
God's wrath revealed/announced on Jews/Israelites:
Romans 2:28,29 - 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
Romans 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
(DG) The point is that by nature, the Jewish person is no more right with God than the pagan or the moralist. Paul has demonstrated that the pagan, the moralist and the Jew are all under sin and therefore, under condemnation.
(JC) The heathen are indicted by creation, the hypocrite by conscience, and the Hebrew by the commandments. God has spoken clearly to every generation throughout history leaving all without excuse.
(WW) The third declaration was obvious, for Paul I had already proved (charged) both Jews and Gentiles to be guilty before God.
Is "all are sinners\unrighteous" a New Testament teaching/concept?
No, this is not new teaching/concept. God is teaching this from the beginning read Psalms 53:2,3.
Ps 14:1-3 - 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
How worst sin affected the entire man kind?
10 As it is written:Sin affected everyone:
(WW) Next he declared that all men were sinners, and proved it with several quotations from the Old Testament. Note the repetition of the words "none" and "all," which in themselves assert the universality of human guilt.10 "There is none righteous, no, not one;
Ecc 7:20 - For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin
11a There is none who understands; (Heart/Mind/Will verses 11-12)
11b There is none who seeks after God
12a They have all turned aside;
12b They have together become unprofitable;
12c There is none who does good, no, not one."
Ps 14:1-3 (Ps 53:1-3) - 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
Sin affected every part of our body:
(WW) In Romans 3:13-18, Paul gave us an X-ray study of the lost sinner, from head to foot. His quotations are as follows. These verses need to be read in their contexts for the full impact.13a "Their throat is an open tomb; (Speech verses 13-14)
Ps 5:9 - For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue.
13b With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
13c "The poison of asps(Egyptian cobra) is under their lips";
Ps 140:3 - They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips.
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Ps 10:7 - His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; (Ways verses 15-17)
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."
Is 59:7,8 - 7 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. 8 The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Ps 36:1 - 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. 3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. 4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.
Is there really not even one righteous person exist in the world except Jesus Christ?
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;There is no single righteous person in this world ever exist so far till now and will ever exist in future except Jesus Christ.
Ecc 7:20 - For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin
Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Romans 3:19 - Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(DG) There is none righteous, no, not one: When God finds none righteous, it is because there are none. It isn’t as if there were some and God couldn’t see them. There has never been a truly righteous man apart from Jesus Christ. “Even Adam was not righteous: he was innocent - not knowing good and evil.” (Newell)
Did God call Noah Righteous?
Yes.
Gen 6:8,9,22 - 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. ... ... ... 22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
Gen 7:1 - Then the Lord said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
Did God call Noah Righteous because he lived such righteous life in the sight of God?
No, Noah is better than all others during that period but not up to the righteous standards of God.
Because The Bible clearly says in Isaiah 64:6 that "all our righteousness are filthy rags" so even Noah's righteousness too filthy rags as per God's standard or in the sight of God.
Why did God called Noah a Righteous?
God called Noah as a just/righteous because Noah believes in God so God has accounted to be righteous as Paul explains this for Abraham in Romans 4:1-8. This Salvation by Grace through faith principal is same for every generation:
Romans 41-8 - 1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin."
Because of Noah's true faith he obeyed God:
(DG) Noah spent the years before the flood in active obedience. He not only believed God would send the flood; he obeyed what God told him to do in preparation for it.
For this reason Noah was called as heir of the righteousness according to faith:
Heb 11:7 - 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Why there is no righteous person exist in the sight of God?
We have already gone through this in Romans 1:18 - 3:9.
Is there really not even one who understands except Jesus Christ?
11a There is none who understands;Psalm 14:1-3 (Ps 53:1-3) - 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
What do we need to understand?
We need to understand God or what God is doing around our life.
We need to understand the purpose of our life such as "Why God created us?".
What are all the things we need to understand?
We need to know God. We need to gain knowledge & wisdom:How does God reveal Himself to us all? How do we know God?
God reveals Himself through the general revelation:Psalm 9:2 - 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
Romans 1:20-21 - 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
For more details read How is God reaching out all of us? topic.
Psalm 119:66 - Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments.
Psalm 94:10 - He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge?
Does everyone love to gain this knowledge?
No. Because of our sin nature we all hate this knowledge. (Note: Before we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are ungodly, fool,...):Proverbs 1:22 - "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
Romans 1:18 - 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
Psalm 14:4 - Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the Lord?
Why does everyone hate to gain this knowledge?
All hated knowledge because they did not choose the fear of the Lord:Proverbs 1:29 - Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord,
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 9:10a - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, ....
Romans 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
So, without knowledge & wisdom we cannot gain real understanding:
Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 4:5 - Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Where does the understanding come from?
Understanding comes from God:GNT: Proverbs 2:6 - It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 - For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Job 38:36 (God asks Job) - Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?
Do we really need this understanding?
Psalm 32:9 - Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
By knowing God more and by developing love relationship we can understand better at the same time we cannot figure out God fully.
Application:
Why do we need understanding?
To live a moral life by obeying God's will or commandments:Psalm 119:144 - The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.
Psalm 119:73 - Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
Psalm 119:34 - Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Psalm 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Proverbs 14:29 - He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.
Proverbs 10:23 - To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.
Proverbs 14:33 - Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
Proverbs 15:14 - The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Examples:
Exodus 31:3 (to build the tabernacle, the ark of the Testimony...) - And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
1 Kings 3:9,12 - 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" 10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
What happens when we lack understanding?
We Sin if you don't understand why God gave the commandment or if you do not know and understand the consequences of any sin:Proverbs 6:32 - Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.
All the above verses not make sense when they lack understanding.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 - 23 Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord. 25 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "that I will punish all who are circumcised with the uncircumcised-- 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the people of Ammon, Moab, and all who are in the farthest corners, who dwell in the wilderness. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart."
For this reason Paul is pointing out in next section of this verse Romans 3:11b that to gain knowledge, wisdom, understanding we need to seek God and get it but we are not doing that.
Is there really not even one seeks after God except Jesus Christ?
11b There is none who seeks after GodThere is no single person seeks after God so far now and in future in this world except Jesus Christ.
Ps 14:1-3 (Ps 53:1-3) - 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
(JC) The Great Physician’s diagnosis of the condition of humanity is bleak: All are sinners without exception. This description is not just of the “bad guys”—but of you and me as well. Now, if I forget this divine diagnosis and start to think, He’s a pretty good person, I’m setting myself up for disappointment and disillusionment. Therefore, instead of being surprised when someone does something bad, I should be amazed when someone does something good because the divine diagnosis is that we are all depraved.
What are people seeking in the name of religion? or What in the world people are seeking in the name of religion?
(JC)
“But what about the guy in the Philippines,” you ask, “who flagellates his body and is hung on a Cross every Easter? Yes, his theology might be askew, but surely he is seeking God.”
No, he’s not. Paul says none seeks after God.
“What about the Tibetan monks who live their entire lives in simplicity and celibacy? Surely they’re seeking after God.”
No, they’re not. The Bible says none seeks after God.
What are they seeking?
(JC)
“Then what’s the guy in the Philippines seeking?” you ask.
Perhaps he’s seeking alleviation from his guilt, perhaps recognition from his peers, perhaps exaltation of his soul. But he’s not seeking God.
“What about the monks in Tibet? What are they seeking?”
Perhaps they’re seeking peace, perhaps some kind of transcendent emotional experience, perhaps a higher consciousness—but they’re not seeking God.
The Bible says none seeks after God, no not one. Every believer was chosen solely by grace, completely because of God’s unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor.
They may be trying to
appease God,
come out of karma cycle (someone's opinion become this belief system: "if they sin they will rebirth again as a different person or animal until they become perfect and go to heaven").
Are we really seeking the true and living God?
No, not at all.
(DG) We deceive ourselves into thinking that man, on his own, really does seek after God. Don’t all the religion and rituals and practices from the beginning of time demonstrate that man seeks after God? Not at all.
(Spurgeon) “You have gone through this form of worship, but you have not sought after God. I am sick of this empty religiousness. We see it everywhere; it is not communion with God, it is not getting to God; indeed, God is not in it all.”
(WW) Measured by God's perfect righteousness, no human being is sin-less. No sinner seeks after God. Therefore, God must seek the sinner (Gen. 3:8-10; Luke 19:10). Man has gone astray, and has become unprofitable both to himself and to God. Our Lord's parables in Luke 15 illustrate this perfectly.
Didn't God created each one of us and place us in specific geographical location and make us to seek God?
Yes.
Acts 17:27a - 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might
Matt 7:-8 - 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
The Bible also says here none seeks after God, no not one because we all born in sin nature.
Is God's effort going waste in creating us in specific location and make us to seek Him?
No, God's effort never go waste.
If anyone really seeking true God then it is only because they are truly started to responding to God's work/effort in "creating us in specific location to make us to seek Him". Glory not goes to the men who seeks God but to God who placed them in specific location to seek Him.
God seeks our heart when you or anyone really respond to God's work/effort then God will reveal Himself to us in an unique way like how He sent Philip to Ethiopian eunuch.
Acts 8:26-31,35-37 - 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
Application:
God saved each one of us for a purpose.
God has plan for us as in Jer 29:11-13. Once we saved and follow Jesus Christ then we will listen when we pray and find Him when we seek Him for anything.
Jer 29:11-13 - 11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.
Are we really turn aside and become unprofitable?
12a They have all turned aside;
12b They have together become unprofitable;Ps 14:1-3 (Ps 53:1-3) - 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
(DG) They have together become unprofitable: The word unprofitable has the idea of rotten fruit. It speaks of something that was permanently bad and therefore useless.
We all are turn away from God so we become useless.
How useless are we?
Eph 3:1-2 - 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
Is there really not even one who does good except Jesus Christ?
12c There is none who does good, no, not one."Ps 14:1-3 (Ps 53:1-3) - 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
There is no single person who does good so far now and in future in this world except Jesus Christ.
Haven't you seen good people around you? Could you please name them at least one or two?
Yes, we have seen many good people around us.
One such person is Gandhi. He is one of the good person in this world who sacrificed his life for India's independence from the British.
Why does the Bible say that there is no one who does good? or
Who is good as per the Bible?
As per the BibleOnly God is good.
Matt 19:17 - 16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
All others are evil because we all born in sin nature so nothing good dwells in us. As per God's standard we are not good at all.
Romans 7:18-20,23 - 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will (desire) to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will (desire) not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Eph 2:1-4 - 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others
Application:
Who will deliver us from this body of death?
Romans 8:1,2 - 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh (NIV: The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature), God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace
Once we become believers of Christ then we are expected to do good or we are saved for good works.
Eph 2:10 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Gal 6:9 - And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
1 Tim 3:17 - 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Matthew 26:10 - But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.
Jesus Himself receive His followers as good and faithful servant:
Matthew 25:23 - His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
How does Sin affect their speech?
13a "Their throat is an open tomb;Ps 5:9 - For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue.
13b With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
13c "The poison(venom) of asps(Egyptian cobra) is under their lips";Ps 140:3 - They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips.
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Ps 10:7 - His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity
What one thing does Romans 3:13,14 point to?
They all points to tongue and based on context here it refers to speech or words that comes out of our mouth.
What comes out of the their mouth/tongue if their throat is an open tomb?
(WW) The sinner is spiritually dead by nature (Eph. 2:1-3), therefore only death can come out of his mouth.
Eph 2:2 - 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
Romans 3:13a - "Their throat is an open tomb;
Ps 5:9 - For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue.
What is really causing their tongue/mouth to produce filthy words/speech?
13a "Their throat is an open tomb;
13b With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
13c "The poison(venom) of asps (Egyptian cobra) is under their lips"; (so they can curt anyone easily...)
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."Because as we have seen already Sin affected our heart that is why we are not righteous, no understanding, not seeking God, turn away, not doing good.
(WW) Romans 3:13 and 14 emphasize human speech—the throat, tongue, lips, and mouth. The connection between words and character is seen in Matthew 12:34: : "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
Matthew 12:34 - 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
What does their bitterness in their heart causes them to do?
It makes them to take vengeance. It is the consequence of our corrupt heart. So they are doing following deeds as described in Romans 3:15-17.
How does Sin affect our ways?
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."These verses quoted from Is 59:7,8 .
Is 59:7,8 - 1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity. 4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity. 5 They hatch vipers' eggs and weave the spider's web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out. 6 Their webs will not become garments, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of iniquity, And the act of violence is in their hands. 7 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. 8 The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
What one main thing does Romans 3:15-17 point to?
All these three verses points to destruction.
(WW) In Romans 3:15 and 16, Paul pictured the sinner's feet. Just as his words are deceitful, so his ways are destructive.
What is really causing their ways to be destructive?
As we have seen earlier bitterness in their heart cause them to walk in a destructive way.
Romans 3:14 - "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Matt 5:22 - 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
Also they are all under the control of Satan.
Eph 2:2 - 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
(WW) ...the lost sinner brings death, destruction, and misery wherever he goes. These tragedies may not occur immediately, but they will come inevitably.
John 10:10a - The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(WW) Romans 3:17 deals with the sinner's mind: he does not know the way of God's peace. This is what caused Jesus to weep over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44). The sinner does not want to know God's truth (Rom. 1:21, 25, 28); he prefers to believe Satan's lie.
(DG) “For further details, read your daily papers!” (Newell) For example, the Los Angeles Times reported that in 1992 murders reached a record level of 800 in Los Angeles County.
Summary for Romans 3:13-17:
Due to their corrupt heart nothing good dwells within them. So...
12c There is none who does good, no, not one."
So their speech/words that comes out of their mouth produces death. In fact their mouth is condemned.13a "Their throat is an open tomb;
13b With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
13c "The poison of asps is under their lips";
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Due to their corrupt and bitter heart their ways are destructive
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."
Application for Romans 3:13-17:
Do the lost sinners have hope?
(WW) The lost sinner is on the broad road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14); he needs to repent, trust Jesus Christ, and get on the narrow road that leads to life.
Matthew 7:13-14 - 13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
What is God's way of peace?
(WW) God's way of peace is through Jesus Christ: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1).
Romans 5:1 - 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Can a sinner's/condemned mouth become a converted mouth?
(WW) The condemned mouth can become a converted mouth and acknowledge that "Jesus Christ is Lord" (Rom. 10:9-10). "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matt. 12:37).
Matthew 12:37 - 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
What words that comes out of our mouth justify us?
Romans 10:9-10 - 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So do not lose hope diligently reach out them. That is why ...
Jesus commissioned every believers in Christ to spread the gospel of peace:
Matt 28:19-20 - 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
(WW) The Christians' feet are shod with the Gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15);
Eph 6:15 - and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
What can tongue do to believers in Christ? or How tongue can affect believers in Christ?
James 3:2-12 - 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
Why are we not able to tame the tongue as per James 3:8?
Because of our sin nature and corrupt heart our tongue is not easily tamable.
James 3:8 - But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Romans 3:13-14 - 13 "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; 14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Do we need to tame the tongue?
Yes.
James 3:10 - 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
Is it possible to tame their tongue?
Yes, only by making our heart right. If the heart is right then our mouth will produce good words
Matthew 12:34 - 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
James 3:2 - For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Proverbs 13:3 - He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
How believers in Christ can tame the tongue and walk with God?
Feed your heart with spiritual food by reading and meditating the word of God.
Proverbs 4:20-27 - 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
Psalm 37:4-5,23-24 - 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass......23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
James 1:19 - 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
One important truth we need to know related the bitterness in our heart is described in...
Romans 12:17-21 - 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
To get rid of vengeance we need to...
Pour out all you burden in our heart to our God through prayer:
Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Warning: If we don't go to God & cry unto him then we will burst with anger, vengeance, Gossip....
Allow God's Holy Spirit to work within us. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Eph 4:29-32 - 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph 5:18-21 - 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Example: Compare the above application with Nehemiah?
Enemies are attacking by their words
Nehemiah 4 - 1 But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish--stones that are burned?" 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall."
Nehemiah instead of responding them he is pouring out his burden/feelings in his heart to God through prayer
4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! 5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders. 6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, 8 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.
9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.
What ultimate thing can Sin do for us? or Why are we living in such a sinful/unrighteous life?
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."This verse is quoted from Psalm 36:1 which is given below.
Why there is no fear of God before their eyes?
Because they are prideful and they want to be independent and superior to everyone so, they do not want to fear or subject to anyone superior to them.
So, they suppress the truth i.e. the knowledge of God because they do not choose to fear God:
Proverbs 1:29 - Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord,
Romans 1:18,19 - 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
So, some deliberately ignore God and replace something else in the place of God:
Romans 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
So, some deny the existence of God who is greater/superior to them:
Ps 14:1 (Ps 53:1) - To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
Satan blinds our spiritual eyes.
2 Cor 4:4 - 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them
Because "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
So, they are foolish, selfish, prideful, lack knowledge, lack wisdom, lack understanding, no purpose in the life, thoughtless life, ....
(WW) In Romans 3:18, which cites Psalm 36:1, the sinner's arrogant pride is prescribed: "There is no fear of God before their eyes." The entire psalm should be read to get the full picture. The ignorance mentioned in Romans 3:17 is caused by the pride of verse 18; for it is "the fear of the Lord" that is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7).
Psalm 36:1 - 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. 3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. 4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.
So, ... 10b "There is none righteous, no, not one; (So, ...)
11a There is none who understands; (because...)
11b There is none who seeks after God (instead...)
12a They have all turned aside;
12b They have together become unprofitable;
12c There is none who does good, no, not one." (because nothing good dwells within them. So,...)
Their speech/words that comes out of their mouth produces death13a "Their throat is an open tomb;
13b With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
13c "The poison of asps is under their lips";
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Their Ways/Behaviors are destructive
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."
(DG) This summarizes the entire thought. Every sin and rebellion against God happens because we do not have a proper respect for Him. Wherever there is sin, there is no fear of God.
Summary: How is our human state without God?
(DG) These quotations from the Psalms (Psalms 14:1-3; 5:9, 140:3, 10:7 and 36:1) and from Isaiah 59:7-8 all support the opening statement: There is none righteous, no, not one.
Paul looks at the human condition from top to bottom. He begins with head and moves all the way down to the feet.
With these references from the Psalms, Paul calls virtually every part of man’s body into guilt: throat, tongue, lips, mouth, feet, eyes are all shown to be filled with sin and rebellion against God.
This look at the human condition is depressing. What’s the point? The Apostle Paul wants us to understand our complete inability to save ourselves. The fall touches every part of man’s being, and the inventory of body parts corrupted by the fall demonstrates this.
Sin affected everyone and every part of our body:
Sin affected everyone:
10 "There is none righteous, no, not one;
11a There is none who understands; (Heart/Mind/Will verses 11-12)
11b There is none who seeks after God
12a They have all turned aside;
12b They have together become unprofitable;
12c There is none who does good, no, not one."
Sin affected every part of our body:
13a "Their throat is an open tomb; (Speech verses 13-14)
13b With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
13c "The poison of asps(Egyptian cobra) is under their lips";
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; (Ways verses 15-17)
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Sin and Satan blinds our eyes to seek, know, understand and fear God:
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (So, ...)
10b "There is none righteous, no, not one; (So, ...)
11a There is none who understands; (because...)
11b There is none who seeks after God (instead...)
12a They have all turned aside;
12b They have together become unprofitable;
12c There is none who does good, no, not one." (because nothing good dwells within them. So,...)
Their speech/words that comes out of their mouth produces death13a "Their throat is an open tomb;
13b With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
13c "The poison of asps is under their lips";
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Their Ways/Behaviors are destructive
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."
All human beings are under the wrath of God:
John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36 - He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Is there anyone can stand before God without guilt?
No.
What does the law say to all?
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.(WW) These quotations from God's Law, the Old Testament Scriptures, lead to one conclusion: the whole world is guilty before God! There may be those who want to argue, but every mouth is stopped. There is no debate or defense. The whole world is guilty, Jews and Gentiles. The Jews stand condemned by the Law of which they boast, and the Gentiles stand condemned on the basis of creation and conscience.
(DG) Paul points out that this horrific description of man’s utter sinfulness come to us in the law; and it is intended for those under the law, to silence every critic and to demonstrate the universal guilt of mankind - that all the world may become guilty before God.
Remember that many Jewish people of Paul’s day took every passage of the Old Testament describing evil and applied it only to the Gentiles - not to themselves. Paul makes it clear that God speaks to those who are under the law.
Why all the people in the world are guilty before God?
20a Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight,
NASB Romans 3:20a - because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;Is Paul deriving a new statement using the word "Therefore"? or
Is "by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight" is a new truth derived from previous explanation?Though it seems like but it is really not.
(WW) The word "therefore" in Romans 3:20 carries the meaning of "because," and gives the reason why the whole world is guilty.
Greek conjunction dioti (Strongs G1360) means on this account that, because, for.
It was translated as because 10, for 8, because that 3, therefore 1 (only onetime in Romans 3:20)
For this reason NASB they translated this as because:
NASB Romans 3:20 - because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
This truth is not new but existed from the beginning. Paul is proving going through the scriptures that we all are guilty before God.
Romans 4th chapter explains this in detail.
What is Justification?
Read this topic for detail explanation.Justification means
Declared Righteous or Righteousness declared. But not become Righteousness.
Accounted to be righteousness:
Just as if I had never sinned
(JC) Justification is a legal term that speaks of much more than forgiveness or pardon.
(WW) Theological term for Salvation
(DG) Solves the problem of man’s guilt before a righteous Judge.
(WW) Justification is an act, not a process
(WW) Justification is something God does, not man. No sinner can justify himself before God.
What it really means that "by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight"?
(WW) No flesh can obey God's Law and be justified (declared righteous) in His sight.
Why by the deeds of the law no one will be saved/justified?
(WW) It is true that "the doers of the Law shall be justified" (Rom. 2:13), but nobody can do what the Law demands! This inability is one way that men know they are sinners.
(JC) If you’re trying to relate to the Father on the basis of your own goodness or devotion, your consistency or your Bible study, your do’s and don’ts—you’ll never be justified.
It means that no one can be justified in God's sight by just keeping/obeying the law as per their standards.
We have gone through this in detail from Romans 1:18-3:18 and understood all are sinned and guilty before God
No one can keep the law or keep their conscience clear as God expected:
James 2:10- For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
(DG) Even we could now begin to perfectly keep the law of God it could not make up for past disobedience, or remove present guilt
Ezekiel 3:20 - Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand.
No one can live perfectly as God expected:
NLT: Romans 2:7 - He(God) will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
(JC) In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made it clear that the keeping of the law lies not in external regulations, but in internal attitudes. Thus, we are all murderers, liars, and adulterers because even though we might not exhibit those behaviors externally, they take place in our hearts inwardly.
(DG) the law, having been broken, can only condemn us - it can never save us
All are sinned and guilty before God - Romans 1:18-3:18.
Romans 3:9 - What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. (so...)
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; (because...)
Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
No one can please God by the deeds of their flesh:
Romans 8:7 - Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God
Romans 7:25b - So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Is there anyone justified in God's sight by the deeds of the law?
No one justified in God's sight by the deeds of the law.
No one even people who are living in remote places can never go to heaven by their good deeds.
Read Is it possible for anyone (includes people in remote places) to go to heaven just by their good deeds/works? topic for more details.
So, all human beings are under the wrath of God:
John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36 - He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Why did God give this law?
20b for by the law is the knowledge of sin.Law shows us how sinful we are or Law reveals our sins:
NLT: Romans 3:20b - For the more we know God's law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it.
NIV: Romans 3:20b - through the law we become conscious of sin.
(DG) It is useful in giving us the knowledge of sin, but it cannot save us.
J.B. Phillip's paraphrase of this phrase is striking: it is the straight-edge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are.
The law cannot save us. The law can’t justify anyone.
(DG) Since the time of Adam and Eve, people have tried to justify themselves by the deeds of the law.
In the Garden of Eden Adam tried to make himself presentable to God by making coverings out of fig leaves - and he failed.
In Job, the oldest book of the Bible, the problem is presented clearly: how can a man be righteous before God? (Job 9:2)
God makes part of the answer clear here through Paul - the answer is not in the performance of good works, in the deeds of the law.
Why Jesus said that our righteousness must exceeds the righteousness of Phrases and Sadducees to enter into the heaven?
Matt 5:20 - For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Is this a true and real requirement to enter into heave?
Yes, this is a very true statement and real requirement to enter into heaven. Unless we have the righteousness as God expected then we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
As per our previous study by keeping the law as per our capacity we cannot earn this righteousness at the same time as per Matthew 5:20 if we do not have the righteousness as God expected then we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
In this situation we are in doomed state destined to hell.
What we can do?
Either we can give up trying earning righteousness and live as we like and go to hell and suffer forever and ever.
Or desperately plead to God for mercy to pardon/forgive our sins and declare righteous (justify/save) through some means allow us to live in heaven forever and ever:
(WW) When they try to obey the Law, they fail miserably and need to cry out for God's mercy. Neither Jew nor Gentile can obey God's Law; therefore God must save sinners by some other means.
What God want us to do?
Matthew 19:26 - 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
So, one more important thing law does is that it teaches us the need of God's help or mercy to be declare righteous (justified/saved):
(JC) The law cannot justify you. It can only bring you to the realization that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
Galatians 3:24 - Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
We will see this in detail in the next section Romans 3:21-4:25.
Romans 3:21 - But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
(WW) Paul's theme in the second section of his letter was Salvation—Righteousness Declared. He had proved that all men are sinners; next he was to explain how sinners can be saved.
(DG) Keeping law is NOT God's way of salvation or of blessing under the New Covenant
Application:
(WW) The best way to close this section would be to ask a simple question:
Has your mouth ever been stopped?
Are you boasting of your own self-righteousness and defending yourself before God?If so, then perhaps you have never been saved by God's grace.
It is only when we stand silent before Him as sinners that He can save us. As long as we defend ourselves and commend ourselves, we cannot be saved by God's grace. The whole world is guilty before God—and that includes you and me!
Introduction:
(JC) After speaking of our sad situation, Paul introduces the fabulous doctrine of justification.
How our righteousness exceeds the righteousness of Phrases and Sadducees to enter into the heaven? or
How sinners can be saved? How can the holy God declare sinners righteous? Is justification merely a "fictional idea" that has no real foundation?(WW) In this section of Romans, Paul answered these questions in two ways.
First, he explained justification by faith (Rom. 3:21-31);
then he illustrated justification by faith from the life of Abraham (Rom. 4:1-25).
Justification by Faith Explained:
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Observation:
What is revealed?
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,Who has witnessed that?
being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,How do you receive that?
22a even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ,To whom it is available?
22b to all and on all who believe.Is there any difference?
22c For there is no difference;Why there is no difference?
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,How God justify us?
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,How God made Jesus blood as a propitiation to those who have faith in Him?
25a whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith,Why God made His son Jesus Christ blood to be a propitiation to those who have faith?
25b to demonstrate His righteousness,How God demonstrate His righteousness?
25c because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,How God demonstrate His righteousness now?
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.27a Where is boasting then?
27b It is excluded.27c By what law? Of works?
27d No, but by the law of faith.What is the law of faith?
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.29a Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles?
29b Yes, of the Gentiles also,Does God's justification varies to Gentiles? or Does God justify both Jews & Gentiles the same way?
30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.31a Do we then make void the law through faith?
31b Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Interpretation (3:21-23): To Whom the Righteousness of God is available? How do you receive the Righteousness of God?
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
What is revealed?
21a But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,The Righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed.
What is reveal means?
Reveal means to make known/show/expose something already exist.
KJV: Romans 3:21 - But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
(WW) "But now the righteousness of God ... has been manifested" (Rom. 3:21, literal translation).
Manifest means readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident; obvious; apparent
What is the righteousness of God means?
God's righteousness,
The righteousness that belongs to God,
Righteousness of God means the way in which man may attain a state approved of God, or the condition acceptable to God
It is the righteousness that declared by God if anyone keep the law perfectly as per His standard but no one could earn as we have seen earlier in Romans 3:9-20.
This is the righteousness God expect from us or God expects our righteousness to be equivalent to His righteousness.
(DG) But now provides the most glorious transition from the judgment of Romans 3:20 to the justification of Romans 3:21.
But now speaks of the newness of God’s work in Jesus Christ - it really is a New Covenant.
What is the state of our righteousness?
God is righteous and He expects everyone to be righteous like Him.
Matt 5:20 - For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:48 - Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
But when we compare to God's righteousness all our righteousness are like filthy rags
Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
How the righteousness of God has been revealed?
Romans 3:21a But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,
(DG) Apart from the law isn’t that the righteousness of God is revealed apart from the Old Testament, but that it is revealed apart from the principle of law. It is apart from a legal relationship to God, based on the idea of earning and deserving merit before Him.
(Newell) “The Greek puts to the very front this great phrase apart from law (choris nomou) and this sets forth most strongly the altogether separateness of this Divine righteousness from any law-performance, any works of man, whatsoever.”
God’s righteousness is not offered to us as something to take up the slack between our ability to keep the law and God’s perfect standard. It is not given to supplement our own righteousness, it is given completely apart from our own attempted righteousness.
Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Read What is revealed in the Gospel? in Romans 1:17 notes.
We will see this in details in Romans 3:22 under How do you receive that righteousness of God?
Is the righteousness of God revealed by our works of the law?
No, the Righteousness of God revealed apart from our works of the law.
Gal 2:21 - I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
Who has witnessed the righteousness of God?
21b being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,Where and When they have witnessed about this God's Righteousness?
Galatians 3:24 - Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Read How and When God promised the gospel of God? topic in Romans 1:2 notes.
God's righteousness are given in moral laws in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
God gave Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-17
Jesus teaches moral laws in the Gospels especially in Matt 5 - 7, 19, John 15.
God inspired all the scriptures to equip us in His righteousness in 2 Tim 3:16-17
These are summed up in the Greatest commandments in Matt 22:37-40
(WW) God had revealed His righteousness in many ways before the full revelation of the Gospel:
His Law, His judgments against sin.
The Law itself reveals the righteousness of God, because the Law is "holy and just and good" (Rom. 7:12).
Furthermore, the Law bore witness to this Gospel righteousness even though it could not provide it.
But in the Gospel, a new kind of righteousness has been revealed (Rom. 1:16-17); and the characteristics of this righteousness are spelled out in this section. Apart from the Law (v. 21).
The Law could witness to God's righteousness, but it could not provide it for sinful man. Only Jesus Christ could do that (see Gal. 2:21).
His appeals through the prophets,
The Old Testament sacrifices, the prophecies, the types, and the great "Gospel Scriptures" (such as Isa. 53) all bore witness to this truth.
His blessing on the obedient.
Beginning at Genesis 3:15, and continuing through the entire Old Testament, witness is given to salvation by faith in Christ.
(DG) Being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets reminds us that there is still continuity with God’s work in former times.
This righteousness is not a novelty. Paul didn’t “invent” it. It was predicted long ago, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. The Old Testament said this righteousness was coming.
Why the righteousness of God revealed?
Because we all need the righteousness that God expected or we need the righteousness of God.
(DG) The law cannot save us, but God revealed a righteousness that would save us, apart from the law. This is the essence of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ: it is a salvation that is offered apart from the law, apart from our own earning and deserving, apart from our own merits.
We have already seen this in details in Romans 3:20 under this topic Why all the people in the world are guilty before God?
How do you receive that righteousness of God?
22a even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ,We receive righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
NIV: Romans 3:22 - This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
NLT: Romans 3:22 - We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
We do not earn righteousness but we receive God's righteousness as gift through faith in Jesus Christ.
(DG) In Romans 3:21, Paul told us how this righteousness does not come. It does not come through the deeds of the law, it is apart from the law. Now Paul tells us how this saving righteousness does come. It is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe.
(Morris) Through faith “points to the fact that faith is not a merit, earning salvation. It is no more than the means through which the gift is given.”
(Newell) “But faith is not ‘trusting’ or ‘expecting’ God to do something, but relying on His testimony concerning the person of Christ as His Son, and the work of Christ for us on the cross . . . After saving faith, the life of trust begins . . . trust is always looking forward to what God will do; but faith sees that what God says has been done, and believes God’s Word, having the conviction that it is true, and true for ourselves.”
It is not just a trust but real genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
Hebrew 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
(WW) Through faith in Christ (v. 22a). Law righteousness is a reward for works. Gospel righteousness is a gift through faith. Many people say, "I trust in God!" But this is not what saves us. It is personal, individual faith in Jesus Christ that saves and justifies the lost sinner. Even the demons from hell believe in God and tremble, yet this does not save them (James 2:19)."
(JC) Justification is by faith in the Lord. Our justification comes from our being linked not to God generally, but to Jesus Christ personally. James says the demons have a belief in God, but they’re not saved. They’re not justified. They won’t be in heaven (James 2:19). It’s not enough for a person to say, “I believe in God and go to church.” No, he must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ because the source of justification lies embedded in the Person and work of Jesus.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!
This faith will produce fruit and developing ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ.
James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(JC) The religion of the law thunders, “responsibility!” But relationship with the Lord says, “Just respond. The work is done. The price is paid. And in responding to Me, you’ll do more than you would ever do under the pressure of religion.
To whom it is available?
22b to all and on all who believe.(WW) God gave His Law to the Jews, not to the Gentiles; but the Good News of salvation through Christ is offered to all men. All men need to be saved.
(DG) In Romans 3:21, Paul told us how this righteousness does not come. It does not come through the deeds of the law, it is apart from the law. Now Paul tells us how this saving righteousness does come. It is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe.
(JC) Justification is for all mankind. Whether Jew or Gentile, yuppie or hippie, heathen or Hebrew—there’s only one way to enter into salvation: by faith. It’s not in what you’ve done or who you are, but in Jesus Christ.
Is there any difference?
22c For there is no difference;What difference is not there?
(Today's New International) TNIV Romans 3:22 - This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
(Complete Jewish Bible) CJB Romans 3:22 - and it is a righteousness that comes from God, through the faithfulness of Yeshua the Messiah, to all who continue trusting. For it makes no difference whether one is a Jew or a Gentile,
Why there is no difference?
Both Jews and Gentiles sinned and guilty before God:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,(WW) There is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile when it comes to condemnation. "All have sinned, and are coming short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23, literal translation). God declared all men guilty so that He might offer to all men His free gift of salvation.
Romans 3:9 - What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
Romans 3:19 - Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
(JC) Everyone sins. Everyone falls short of the glory of God. You might say, “I’m doing pretty well compared to my neighbor.” But you’re comparing yourself to the wrong person. The comparison is not between you and your neighbor or between you and your pastor. It’s between you and God.
(DG) How do we fall short of the glory of God? It’s impossible to describe every way, but here are four important ways man falls short of the glory of God.
We fail to give God the glory due Him, in our words, thoughts and actions.
We fail to qualify for, and thereby reject, the glory and reward that God gives faithful servants.
We fail to properly reflect God’s glory, by refusing to be conformed into His image.
We fail to obtain the final glory God will bestow on His people at the end of all history.
Both Jews and Gentiles needs God's righteousness so it is available for both of them equally:
22b to all and on all who believe.NLT Romans 3:22 - We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
Romans 3:9 - What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
Romans 3:19 - Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
(DG) Even as all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God is universal, so is the offer of being justified freely by His grace. It is open to everyone who will believe.
Morris, quoting Moule: “The harlot, the liar, the murderer, are short of it; but so are you. Perhaps they stand at the bottom of a mine, and you on the crest of an Alp; but you are as little able to touch the stars as they.” Everyone falls short, but everyone can be justified freely by His grace.
(DG) There is no other way to obtain this righteousness. This righteousness is not earned through obedience to the law; it is a received righteousness, gained through faith in Jesus Christ.
(Spurgeon) “There is a little book entitled, Every man his own lawyer. Well, nowadays, according to some people, it seems as if every man is to be his own saviour; but if I had, say; a dozen gospels, and I had to sort them out, and give the right gospel to the right man, what a fix I should be in! I believe that, oftentimes, I should be giving your gospel to someone else, and someone else’s gospel to you; and what a muddle it would all be! But now we have one universal cure . . . The blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ will save every man who trusts him, for ‘there is no difference.’”
Application:
What one has to do when they accept the Lord as their personal savior?
Romans 10:9-11,13 - 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Interpretation (3:24-26): How God justify those have faith in Jesus Christ? Through whom the righteousness of God is available?
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
What is Grace?
Grace means
unmerited favor,
getting what we do not deserve
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense - GRACE
(WW) By grace (v. 24). God has two kinds of attributes: absolute (what He is in Himself), and relative (how He relates to the world and men). One of His absolute attributes is love: "God is love" (1 John 4:8). When God relates that love to you and me, it becomes grace and mercy.
Is Grace is same as mercy?
No.
(WW) God in His mercy does not give us what we do deserve, and God in grace gives us what we do not deserve.
Read Grace article for more details.
What is Grace?
How do you receive it?
Is it possible to receive more grace?
What are some benefits of grace?
If I am under grace, can I do anything I desire?
Application in our lives.
What is Redemption?
(DG) Redemption has the idea of buying back something, and involves cost. However, God pays the cost and so we are justified freely.
The word redemption had its origin in the release of prisoners of war on payment of a price and was know as the “ransom.” As time went on, it was extended to include the freeing of slaves, again by the payment of a price.
The idea of redemption means that Jesus bought us, therefore we belong to Him. Paul expressed this thought in another letter: For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
1 Corinthians 6:20 - 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
John 8:36 - Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Read Redemption article for more details.
What is Redemption?
What are the elements of Redemption?
Why do we have to be redeemed?
Who can Redeem us and why?
Can I do something to redeem myself?
Application in our lives.
What is Propitiation?
(WW) At great cost to God (w. 24b-25). Salvation is free, but it is not cheap. Three words express the price God paid for our salvation: propitiation, redemption, and blood. In human terms, "propitiation" means appeasing someone who is angry, usually by a gift. But this is not what it means in the Bible. "Propitiation" means the satisfying of God's holy Law, the meeting of its just demands, so that God can freely forgive those who come to Christ. The word "blood" tells us what the price was. Jesus had to die on the cross in order to satisfy the Law and justify lost sinners.
Read Propitiation article for detail explanation:
What is Propitiation?
Is it equivalent to bribing God?
What is Propitiation really means as per the Holy Bible?
Why we need to sacrifice?
Did God punish Adam and Eve when they had sinned first ?
Why God didn't punish or kill Adam and Eve as a sacrifice when they had sinned first ?
How God instituted propitiation in Old Testament time?
Does this propitiation in Old Testament time takes away their sins?
How frequent this propitiation in Old Testament time repeated?
Why God instituted propitiation in Old Testament time?
Who is that perfect propitiation?
How frequent this this perfect propitiation repeated?
Does God prepared this perfect propitiation before the foundation of this world?
When God first revealed this perfect propitiation to humanity?
Who provided this perfect propitiation?
Why this propitiation is the only perfect propitiation?
What are the major outcomes of this perfect propitiation?
What is justification?
Justification means:
Declared Righteous or Righteousness declared. But not become Righteousness.
(JC) Justification is a legal term that speaks of much more than forgiveness or pardon.
Just as if I had never sinned
(WW) Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Christ on the basis of the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Read Justification article for detail explanation:
What is Justify means?
What is Justification?
Is Justification is same as Salvation?
Is it possible to justify by ourselves?
Who justify us?
In what basis God Justify us?
Does this cost us anything?
How much does this cost God to justify us? or How God justify us?
Is Justification is an act or a process? or Is Justification is an one time event or recurring event?
Is Justification is same as Sanctification?
What are the few major outcomes of this justification?
How God justify us?
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25a whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith,We are justified or declared Righteous
Through Faith
Heb 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Romans 3:22 - even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
NIV: Romans 3:22 - This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
NLT: Romans 3:22 - We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
God initiated/God came to us because of Grace.
Freely - It cost us nothing.
(WW) The Greek word translated "freely" is translated in John 15:25 as "without a cause." We are justified without a cause! There is no cause in us that would merit the salvation of God! It is all of grace!
(DG) Being in such a sinful state, the only way we can be justified is to be justified freely. We can’t purchase it with our good works at all. If it isn’t made free to us, we can’t have it all. So we are justified freely by His grace - His unmerited favor, given to us without regard to what we deserve. It is a giving motivated purely by the giver, and motivated by nothing in the one who receives.
Freely is the Greek word dorean. The way this word is used in other New Testament passages helps us understand the word. Matthew 10:8 (Freely you have received, freely give) and Revelation 22:17 (And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely) show that the word means truly free, not just “cheap” or “discounted.” Perhaps the most striking use of the ancient Greek word dorean is in John 15:25: They hated me without a cause (dorean). Even as there was nothing in Jesus deserving of man’s hatred, so there is nothing in us deserving of justification - all the reasons are in God.
Calvin on the use of both the words freely and grace: “He thus repeats the word to show that the whole is from God, and nothing from us . . . lest we should imagine a half kind of grace, he affirms more strongly what he means by a repetition, and claims for God’s mercy alone the whole glory of our righteousness.”
Dr. G. Campbell Morgan was trying to explain "free salvation" to a coal miner, but the man was unable to understand it. "I have to pay for it," he kept arguing. With a flash of divine insight, Dr. Morgan asked, "How did you get down into the mine this morning?" "Why, it was easy," the man replied. "I just got on the elevator and went down."
Then Morgan asked, "Wasn't that too easy? Didn't it cost you something?"
The man laughed. "No, it didn't cost me anything; but it must have cost the company plenty to install that elevator." Then the man saw the truth: "It doesn't cost me anything to be saved, but it cost God the life of His Son."
Redeemed us through Jesus Christ from our slavery to sin and Satan. (Romans 6:18,22)
(DG) Again, Paul’s gospel centers squarely in Christ Jesus. Salvation is possible because of the redemption found in Him. God cannot give us His righteousness apart from Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:20 - 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Romans 6:18,22 - 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
Why and How the redemption is only in Christ Jesus? or How God redeemed us through Jesus Christ?
This redemptive power only available only in Jesus Christ because He is our substitute sacrifice (propitiation) on our behalf in our place.
Summary:
(WW) God gave His Law to the Jews, not to the Gentiles; but the Good News of salvation through Christ is offered to all men. All men need to be saved.
(JC) Justification is for all mankind. Whether Jew or Gentile, yuppie or hippie, heathen or Hebrew—there’s only one way to enter into salvation: by faith. It’s not in what you’ve done or who you are, but in Jesus Christ.
(DG) Paul develops his teaching about salvation around three themes.
Justification: an image from the court of law
Justification solves the problem of man’s guilt before a righteous Judge.
Redemption: an image from the slave market
Redemption solves the problem of man’s slavery to sin, the world, and the devil.
Propitiation (an image from the world of religion, appeasing God through sacrifice)
Propitiation solves the problem of offending God our Creator.
By God's Love and unmerited favor (grace) God sent His son Jesus Christ to die on our behalf as a substitutionary death (propitiation or the atonement sacrifice). Whoever believes or put their faith in Jesus Christ then God declares them as righteous (Justified or Saved)
God purchased back by Jesus Christ blood (redeemed) freely (Romans 3:24, 1 Corinthians 6:20) from the slavery of Sin and Satan through Jesus Christ so we are not slave to sin (Rom 6:11)
Made us New creation (2 Cor 5:17) cleansing by His blood by
Forgot all our sins (Heb 10:17)
Removed all our sins (Ps 103:12)
Those who have faith in Jesus Christ are Justified in God's sight or Saved from going to hell to Heaven. They are
Cleansed and redeemed/purchased by His blood - Removed our sins, God never remembers their sins, perfected us by His perfect sacrifice
Buried their old life with Jesus Christ death on the cross - not slave to Sin,
Given new life through Jesus Christ Resurrection
2 Cor 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Provides free access to thrown of Grace
Always available to cleanse and forgive us if we go and confess our sins.
Lives within us in His Holy Spirit
Faithfully leads us through His Holy Spirit
He is the author and finisher of our faith.
The work He started in us He will complete it.
Why God made His son Jesus Christ to be the propitiation or atonement sacrifice?
25b to demonstrate His righteousness,Did Jesus Christ die only to demonstrate His Righteousness?
Yes, He made His son Jesus Christ to be the propitiation or atonement sacrifice only to demonstrate His righteousness. Through this demonstration of His righteousness God redeemed us and justified/saved us.
Is He not demonstrated His righteousness without dying on the cross?
Yes, God has demonstrated His righteousness through His word in the Bible. Especially we can see this clearly in Jesus teachings in Matthew 5.
Jesus Christ lived a righteous/just/sinless life while He lived in this world and demonstrated His righteousness.
Hebrew 4:15 - For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
1 Peter 2:22 - 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
1 John 3:5 - And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin
Why then Jesus died on the cross to demonstrate His righteousness?
We just now studied that Jesus died on the cross as a propitiation or atonement sacrifice to redeemed us and justified/saved us.Why not God by His sovereign power justify or save those who have faith in Him? or Does God has sovereign power to justify/save those who have faith in Jesus Christ?
Describe briefly the sovereign power of our God:
Through His sovereign power He can do whatever He wants.
Romans 9:18-25 - 15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. 19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?" 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Is it possible to justify us through His Sovereign power?
No, but some strongly believes that God choose some people to His kingdom as He likes by His Sovereign power (Sovereign election or Predestination).
Rom 9:10-13 - 10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12 it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger." 13 As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."
Ephesians 1:4,5 - 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
If God exercise only His sovereign power in choosing Jacob instead of Esau then it makes God unrighteous or God is showing partiality.
In other words if God shows partiality then He is not righteous.
Does God is unrighteous? Does God shows partiality?
No, the Bible clearly portrays that God is righteous and He never show partiality or God is not respecter of person. Whatever He do will be right and correct.Psalm 11:7 - For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.
Romans 3:26 - to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
John 17:25 - O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
Romans 2:11 - For there is no partiality with God.
Acts 10:34 - Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
Eph 6:9 - And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
After describing Jacob's election, in Romans 9:14 it is clearly described that God is righteous:
Romans 9:14 - What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!
How come the sovereign God never exercise the sovereign power if it compromise His righteousness?
In reality any wealthy/rich/king/ruler/president/power/authority.. person if they are in this situation to exercise righteousness in place of their power/authority they will easily compromise righteousness but exercise their wealth/power/authority/....But only our God who is righteous/just so He never and cannot compromise His righteousness in place of His Sovereign power.
The answer is in God's foreknowledge. Let us see how our did this in Jacob's election.
How then the sovereign God chose Jacob but not Esau.?
God knows beforehand through His foreknowledge that Esau will not respond to His call or Esau will ignore/trash the God's ordained birthright for food. Because of this God chose Jacob instead of Esau.
Heb 12:16-17 - 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
God by His sovereign power declares what He sees in future through His foreknowledge without compromising His righteousness.
So, God by His Sovereign power didn't randomly choose/save people as He liked. But by His foreknowledge God predestined/choose those people who will put their faith in Jesus (God knows their response beforehand through His foreknowledge) and by Sovereign power He declare/prophesy to us beforehand.
1 Peter 1:2 - elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
At the same time by Jesus death as a perfect sacrifice (propitiation/atonement sacrifice) God justifies/saves those who have faith in Jesus Christ.
To understand this better let us go though the Daniel in the lion's den history in Daniel 6:
Why Daniel thrown into the Lion's den?
Daniel 6:11-21 - 11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." 13 So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day." 14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed." 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you."
Why not the king Darius pardon/excuse Daniel and rescued him from this great punishment? or Why can't the king revoke the decree he issued?
King Darius tried his level best to rescue/deliver Daniel from this punishment that we can see in Daniel 6:14.
Since, the king's degree has already established and issued so the king cannot revoke or change the law as in Dan 6:15.
To reign righteously the Medes and Persians had the policy that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed as in Dan 6:15. If a king revoke/change his decree/law then the king is either unrighteous or shows partiality. Even if king's son disobeyed the king's decree then his son might have punished/thrown into the lion's den.
Is there anything the king Darius might have done to rescue Daniel from this great punishment?
There is only one possibility exist that is the king might have received that great punishment in the place of Daniel if he wants to deliver Daniel.
He might have said that "I love Daniel let him live and server this country but since I the king brought this rule so let me receive this punishment and fulfill this degree".
King Darius didn't do this to Daniel but our King Almighty God Jesus Christ took our punishment and died in our place.
For more details read How the righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel? topic in Romans 1:17 notes.
How God demonstrate His righteousness in the past?
25c because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,What is forbearance?
forbearance means patient endurance; self-control
What is passed over means?
Exodus 12:12,13 - 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Whose sins are passed over?
All the sins committed by saints before Jesus Christ.
(WW) God had "passed over" the sins that were past (Rom. 3:25, literal translation), knowing that His Son would come and finish the work. Because of His death and resurrection, there would be "redemption"—a purchasing of the sinner and setting him free.
(DG) God, in His forbearance, had passed over the sins of those Old Testament saints who trusted in the coming Messiah. At the cross, those sins were no longer passed over, they were paid for.
The idea is that through the animal sacrifice of the Old Testament, those who looked in faith to the coming Messiah had their sins “covered” by a sort of an “IOU” or promissory note. That temporary covering was redeemed for full payment at the cross.
The work of Jesus on the cross freed God from the charge that He passed over sin committed before the cross lightly. They were passed over for a time, but they were finally paid for.
Why Jesus went to the deep after His death and before His resurrection?
1 Peter 3:19,20 - 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
During this time does He dealt with this past sin?
No, believers spirits are in Abraham's bosom not in the prison.
God patiently passed over all the sins committed before Jesus Christ on the finished work on the cross.
How God demonstrate His righteousness now?
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.(WW) In perfect justice (w, 25a-26). God must be perfectly consistent with Himself. He cannot break His own Law or violate His own nature. "God is love" (1 John 4:8), and "God is light" (1 John 1:5). A God of love wants to forgive sinners, but a God of holiness must punish sin and uphold His righteous Law.
How can God be both "just and the justifier"?
(WW) The answer is in Jesus Christ. When Jesus suffered the wrath of God on the cross for the sins of the world, He fully met the demands of God's Law, and also fully expressed the love of God's heart. The animal sacrifices in the Old Testament never took away sin; but when Jesus died, He reached all the way back to Adam and took care of those sins. No one (including Satan) could accuse God of being unjust or unfair because of His seeming passing over of sins in the Old Testament time.
(DG) At the cross, God demonstrated His righteousness by offering man justification (a legal verdict of “not guilty”), while remaining completely just (because the righteous penalty of sin had been paid at the cross).
It’s easy to see how God could only be just - simply send every guilty sinner to hell, as a just Judge. It’s easy to see how God could only be the justifier - simply tell every guilty sinner, “I declare a pardon. You are all declared ‘not guilty.’” But only God could find a way to be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
(Clarke) “Here we learn that God designed to give the most evident displays of both his justice and mercy. Of his justice, in requiring a sacrifice, and absolutely refusing to give salvation to a lost world in any other way; and of his mercy, in providing the sacrifice which his justice required.”
Summary: How God demonstrate His righteousness?
God demonstrate His righteousness by sending His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross.
God patiently passed over all the sins committed before Jesus Christ.
25b to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committedAfter Jesus Christ death and resurrection God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Application: Our God gave His life to demonstrate His righteousness. So, let us receive His righteousness by believing in Him and practice righteousness.
1 John 2:29 - 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
Interpretation (3:27-31):
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Can we boast ourselves, that we have been justified or entered into the Kingdom of God? or
27a Where is boasting then?
27b It is excluded.No
Why can't we boast ourselves?
Is justification is by our works? or
27c By what law? Of works?
27d No, but by the law of faith.What is the law of faith?
28b a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.We can't boast ourselves because we didn't do anything except believing in Jesus Christ. Our justification is not based on our good deeds or works of the law. It is based on simple faith in Jesus Christ.
In other words there is no boasting because we are justified by faith alone not by any of our efforts or works.
Eph 2:8-9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Why it is wrong to boast ourselves?
Is it ok to boast if we decided to continue to stay in the faith or the Kingdom of God? or
Is it ok to boast if we decided to leave the faith or the Kingdom of God?If we say Yes then we are saying that we have power/free will to stay, and leave the faith or the Kingdom of God anytime as we like.
In this case we are saying that it is up to us that we enter, continue or leave the faith and boasting that we have all power to do these without any help.
Don't we have free will to choose whatever we want?
Yes, we have free will.
If we have power/free will to enter into the God's Kingdom only through our efforts/works then we can boast.
If we have power/free to stay continuously in the God's Kingdom only through our efforts/works then we can boast.
If we have power/free to leave the God's Kingdom only through your feelings then you we can boast.
If you emphasize the free will then we will say that by my free will
I chose God so I put my faith in Him.
I sacrificed many things to continue to stay in the faith
I left the faith because it didn't work for me or didn't like it.
Whom we are boasting here?
Here we are boasting ourselves and emphasizing ours efforts/works above the God's righteous work on the cross.
It is wrong to boast ourselves about entering, staying and leaving the faith or the Kingdom of God.
Following are list of valid reasons why it is wrong to boast:
If Christ didn't die on the cross and open door to receive righteousness apart from keeping the law then whatever efforts we put to earn righteousness go mere waste.
Are we able to enter into heaven by our own righteousness?
No, it is impossible because God's expectation is way higher than ours. No one can obey the laws as perfectly as God expects.
James 2:10 - For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
That is why even disciples asked "Who then can be saved?" and Jesus responded this is impossible by themselves.
Matthew 19:25-26a - 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26a But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, ........"
The Bible clearly shows that we cannot enter into the Kingdom of God or heaven only by our efforts/works or by keeping the law. As we have seen already in Romans 1:18-3:20 we all stand guilty before God. But God by His mighty power and through His death and resurrection He opened a new way apart from keep the law to enter into His kingdom to those who have faith in Him
Romans 3:19-22 - 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
If we receive righteousness through any other means then Christ died in vain
Galatians 2:21 - I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
If we emphasize our free will then we are ignoring the fact that God justified/saved us freely and utterly denying this verse Romans 3:27.
Romans 3:27 - Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.
We are not author of faith but God is the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrew 12:2 - looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Romans 1:17 - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
By our works we cannot add anything more to our Salvation. It is already finished by Jesus Christ.
John 19:30 - So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Our free will is nothing compare to what God has done for us in the cross on our behalf and in many ways.
If we understand our unworthiness or desperateness then we will never boast ourselves.
Application: If you are emphasizing your free will after you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then
Either question your salvation
Or make sure that you give all your plans to God and ready to accept His will/plan.
Is there anyone we can boast of when we think of our salvation/justification?
Yes.
Who is worthy to be praised?
Once you put your faith in Jesus Christ or entered into to the kingdom of God we have nothing to boast about ourselves but we can boast about our Savior Jesus Christ who made this to happen.
(WW) If salvation is through the Law, then men can boast; but the principle of faith makes it impossible for men to boast. The swimmer, when he is saved from drowning, does not brag because he trusted the lifeguard. What else could he do? When a believing sinner is justified by faith, he cannot boast of his faith, but he can boast in a wonderful Saviour.
1 Cor 1:31 - that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
Jesus Christ has finished all the work needed for us to enter into the Kingdom of God. By our works we cannot add anything more to our Salvation.
John 19:30 - So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
If we know our God deeper and understand all the works He has done for us then we will not boast but we will decrease and allow God to increase as John the Baptist said.
John 3:30 - He must increase, but I must decrease.
Does these mean that whatever efforts we put are go waste?
No, it never go waste.
Testify all your efforts/works to others showing how God enabled or empowered you to accomplish those.
NLT: 1 Cor 1:31 - As the Scriptures say, "The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done."
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Testify why do believe in or put your faith in Jesus or to enter in to the Kingdom of God.
Testify how God helped you to put your faith in Jesus or to enter in to the Kingdom of God.
Testify how God helped you to in troubled times and helped you to continue to stay in your faith or the Kingdom of God.
Testify how God dealt with you patiently even when you backslide, or completely denied Him like Peter denied Jesus before His death.
God remembers all the efforts you put to obey him
Hebrew 6:10 - For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
NLT: Hebrew 6:10 - For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do.
All the works we do here in this earth as per God's leading defines your role in heaven eternally.
Rev 2:26-27a - 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27a 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
God will reward all the Believers in Christ during the rewarding ceremony (or on believers judgment day). For more details read Believer Vs Non-Believer Judgment article.
1 Cor 3:11-15 - 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
(DG) No room for boasting! This, of course, is why the natural man hates being justified freely by His grace; it absolutely refuses to recognize his (imagined) merits and gives no place to his pride whatsoever.
NLT: 1 Cor 1:31 - 27 Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, 29 so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 30 God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom.
1 Cor 1:27 - 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence."
Why God alone is worthy to be praised?
What contributions did God make for our Salvation?
God revealed Himself to all humanity through Creation. (Romans 1:20)
God puts the truth about Himself in our hearts so that we can know Him instinctively. (Romans 1:19; Ecc 3:11;)
God placed geographically each one of us in a unique place to make us seek Him. (Acts 17:26,27;)
God so loved the world and sent His only son to die on the cross to take away our sins and to reconcile with us. This is the Good News or the Gospel. (John 3:16; Romans 3:21-26;)
God spreads the Gospel and invites/calls all the humanity to put their faith in Him to enter in to the Kingdom of God. (Matt 11:28; Romans 10:13,15; Heb 11:6;)
God justify/declares righteous by acknowledging those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-18; Romans 3:21-26; Heb 11:6)
God is our author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
The work that God started in us He will complete it until we meet Him face to face. (Phil 1:6; Eph 3:20)
How God accomplish these?
God seals us with His Holy Spirit (lives within us) until we meet Him face to face. (Eph 1:13-14; John 3:3-6)
God guides us through His Holy Spirit and we hear His voice. (John 14:23; 16:13-15; Gal 5:16-18)
God works with in us through His Holy Spirit
Convict our unbelief (John 16:7-11)
Convict us that His Righteousness is available through faith to access the throne of Grace (John 16:7-11; Heb 4:16)
Convict us that we are not under the control of our sin and Satan because God judged him and redeemed us by His blood.
Transforms us from to His image (2 Cor 3:18b)
God watch over us not to snatch us by our enemy Satan. (John 10:10-15,27,28)
God continuously pray (intercede) for us (1 John 2:1; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25).
Even though we may
Leave the first love (Rev 2:4;)
Worship the leader instead of developing relationship with God (2 Tim 4:4,5; Rev 2:15;)
Backslide, sin, pretend, serve two master (world/money and God's Kingdom) (Rev 2:20-22; Rom 3:2; 3:15-20; Luke 15:11-32; Matt 6:24;)
Blaspheme God (Rev 16:9,11;)
but God will patiently deal with us, if needed He may discipline us out of love. (Heb 12:5-11;)
God forgives and Cleanse all our sins whenever we confess (1 John 1:9,10;).
Wow How great our God is. Entering and leaving the God's kingdom is not a game or is not in our hand it is the work of God out of His Love.
Application:
What is your Contribution to your Salvation?
Start by Faith: Just believe in Jesus.Heb 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
John 6:29 - 28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."
Romans 3:19-22 - 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
Eph 2:8-9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Note: You cannot add anything more to your Salvation by your works.
What is the outcome of your Salvation?
Continue/Walk in Faith:What does genuine faith do?
Genuine faith will produce works/fruits:James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
How the genuine faith produce works/fruits?
Every true believers in Christ will produce fruit:By Abiding with Jesus Christ
John 1:5 -“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
And just doing whatever He ask us do through His Holy Spirit. (Walking in the Spirit)
Gal 5:16-26 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law ...... 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Simple obedience to Jesus Christ produces fruit and God make us to fulfill the moral law.
So, learn to deny yourself and follow God He has great plans for you.
What is proved again through these long explanation from Romans 1:16 - 3:27?
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.Here Paul is not deriving new concept/theory but proving again that was existed during Old Testament period. We can see this in
NASB: Romans 3:28 - For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
We have seen the similar in
Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
NASB Romans 3:20a - because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;
Why Paul is proving again that justification is by faith alone?
He is proving again and showing that our God is same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He and His principal never changes. He is the only God for all humanity:
29a Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles?
29b Yes, of the Gentiles also,Does God justify both Jews and Gentiles the same way?
30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.(WW) God does not have two ways of salvation, one for the Jews and one for the Gentiles; for He is one God. He is consistent with His own nature and His own Law.
Eph 2:8- 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
1 Cor 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit
Why does Paul say faith in Jesus Christ establishes the law? or
31a Do we then make void the law through faith?
31b Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.(WW) Because of his Jewish readers, Paul wanted to say more about the relationship of the Gospel to the Law. The doctrine of justification by faith is not against the Law, because it establishes the Law.
In Romans 4-8, Paul explained how God's great plan of salvation was in complete harmony with the Old Testament Scriptures. He began first with the father of the Jewish nation, Abraham.
(DG) Of course, Paul does not make void the law. As the Apostle will demonstrate in Romans 4, the law anticipated the coming gospel of justification by faith, apart from the deeds of the law. Therefore, the gospel establishes the law, fulfilling its own predictions.
Let us see how the faith in Jesus Christ establishes the law:
Jesus Christ fulfilled all the requirements of the law once for all by dying on the cross as a propitiation or the atonement sacrifice on our behalf.
(WW) God obeyed His own Law in working out the plan of salvation. Jesus in His life and death completely fulfilled the demands of the Law.
Matthew 5:17 - "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Hebrews 10:10-12,14-18 - 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," 17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Romans 10:4 - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
(JC) Because the purpose of the law, according to Galatians 3:24, is to bring us to Christ. Therefore, belief in Christ accomplishes the very purpose for which the law was given.
Galatians 3:24 - Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor
God make us to fulfill the moral law.
Jesus is our author and finisher of our faith so He leads us in His righteous path through His Holy Spirit.Hebrew 12:2 - looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 22:37-40 - 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 7:12 (Golden rule) - Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
How God accomplish this?
Just by leading us through His Holy Spirit. We need to abide in Him and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. (Walking in the Holy Spirit)Galatians 5:18,22-23 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ........ 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
John 15:4-5 - 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.