“A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS” ROMANS 3:1-8 FAILURE TO BELIEVE THE PROMISES OF GOD

Thus far, in this grand epistle of Romans, the Apostle Paul has argued vehemently that both the Gentiles, as well as, the Jews did not attain God’s righteousness because the Gentiles had the light of God’s natural revelation  (creation) and rejected the knowledge that they had of God, and that resulted in them exhibiting unnatural immoral behaviours ( 1:18-32); moreover, the Jews, who were privileged with being the custodians of the Law, also did not attain God’s righteousness because they did not keep the Law ( Romans 2:1-29).  Now, in Chapter 3, Paul will again prove that the Jews, who had the advantage of having the Law, did not really attain God’s standard of righteousness because they could not keep the Law that could not save anyway!

In verse 1, the grand Apostle Paul raised two rather interesting questions that said: “What advantage then hath the Jews? Or what profit is there of circumcision? The first question relates to what Paul wrote in Romans 2:17-24, and the second question relates to Paul’s words in Romans 2:25-29.  By raising the questions, Paul was not stressing that being a Jew or being circumcised had really no value.  Paul answers the first question by stating that the Jews were entrusted with the promises and commands of God; however, being in a much entrusted position, they did not live up to God’s holy standard.  Furthermore, the advantage that the Jews had did not serve its’ intended purpose, and does this mean that God’s faithfulness to His people is nullified?

In verse 3, the failure of the Jews or their lack of faith cannot negate the faithfulness of God. His promises to the Nation of Israel cannot be cancelled due to their disobedience or rejection. The most succinct or brief answer to Paul questions in verse 3 is stated by Paul in verse 4 with an emphatic “No.”

All of God’s promises for the Nation of Israel will be fulfilled to His glory despite their unbelief and rejection. Paul continued to stress that God’s faithfulness is not affected by Israel’s unbelief, for verse 4, says: “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” God will always remain faithful and true despite man’s changeableness. The questions of verse 5 can better be rendered- “If God uses sin to bring glory to Himself, and then does He have the right to punish the sinner?” Or, maybe, you will understand if I were to render it this way: “Is God just to punish that which brings glory to Himself? Paul’s answer to the argument stated in verse 5 is “God forbid (v.6). The question of verse 7 is another attempt on the part of the unsaved to blaspheme God and to advance their bent to engage in sin (v.8).

May God Bless!