Romans 3
CHAPTER 3
Both Jews and Gentiles are all sinners
What advantage then has the Jew? Or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much every way! First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 For what if some were without faith? Shall their lack of faith make of no effect the faithfulness of God? 4 God forbid. Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written: You must be justified in Your words and must prevail when You come into judgment.
5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visits with anger? (I speak after the manner of men). 6 God forbid. For then how shall God judge the world?
7 But if the truth of God through my lie abounded to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come? (As some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just).
9 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one. 11 There are none that understand. There are none that seek God. 12 They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, no, not so much as one. 13 Their throat is an open tomb, with their tongues they have used 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 have they not known; 18 there is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that whatever things the law said, it speaks to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. 20 Because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
A righteousness obtained by faith
21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets- 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all them that believe. For there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God; 24 but are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 Whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to show His righteousness in the passing over of the sins done previously, in the forbearance of God, 26 for the showing of His righteousness at this present time; that He might Himself be just, and the justifier of him that has faith in Jesus.
27 Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith! 28 We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised by faith. 31 Do we then make the law of no effect through faith? God forbid. No, we establish the law.
Commentary
3:3 There is no excuse to reject belief in God because of the unbelief and misbehaviour of His people, be they Jews or Christians.
3:9 We are no “better” than condemned sinners. We are different to them in that we have believed in God’s grace and salvation. But we should never think we are “better” than unbelievers; such spiritual arrogance is an awful sin in God’s sight.
3:19 The world- The Jewish world, who were under the Law of Moses.
3:20 For through the law comes...- This is why those who never knew God’s law will not be resurrected to judgment; they aren’t responsible to Him (2:12).
3:27 The fact that we are saved by faith rather than works, and that the law of God hasn’t been kept fully by any of us, is so that we shall be humble; giving glory to God’s grace alone. Humility and not glorying in our own achievements is so very important to God.
3:28 As keeping the Mosaic Law is irrelevant for salvation, it is quite wrong to insist that Christians keep the Sabbath or Jewish feasts in order to be saved.
3:31 Establish- The principles of the law weren’t wrong; the essence and spirit of it are confirmed in Christ.
