Romans 3:3-4 - 3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged.”
Message: This is the third objection which is can God be faithful when His chosen people are not.
Time: Paul probably wrote Romans between A.D. 57-58 while he was at Corinth in
the home of his friend and convert Gaius. He planned to go first to
Jerusalem to deliver a gift of money from the Gentile churches to the
poor in Jerusalem. Then he hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain. His
hopes were later realized, but not as he had expected. When he finally
arrived in Rome in early A.D. 60, he was a prisoner under house arrest
(Acts 28:11-31).
What the Lord is Saying:
Background
In the diatribe of Paul's words, this is the third objection. First, what advantage is there of being a Jew? Second, what is the benefit of circumcision? Paul's response to the imaginary objector is that there is a great advantage in being a Jew and that there is a responsibility given to the Jewish people to possess the Law.
In the diatribe of Paul's words, this is the third objection. First, what advantage is there of being a Jew? Second, what is the benefit of circumcision? Paul's response to the imaginary objector is that there is a great advantage in being a Jew and that there is a responsibility given to the Jewish people to possess the Law.
Third Objection
In verse 3, to "not believe" is to not trust in God. It is giving the opportunity to believe and then not believing or rejecting. "Their unbelief" or their lack of belief "will not nullify" or reduce to inactivity "the faithfulness of God" or the One in whom we place complete confidence in. So, What then? The literal reading of this verse then is, "If some did not trust in God, their lack of belief will not reduce to inactivity the One in whom we place complete confidence in, will it?"
In verse 3, to "not believe" is to not trust in God. It is giving the opportunity to believe and then not believing or rejecting. "Their unbelief" or their lack of belief "will not nullify" or reduce to inactivity "the faithfulness of God" or the One in whom we place complete confidence in. So, What then? The literal reading of this verse then is, "If some did not trust in God, their lack of belief will not reduce to inactivity the One in whom we place complete confidence in, will it?"
The question that I think Paul is asking (as for some reason this verse has always kind of stumped me, though I think I may understand now what he is asking) is based upon this premise: If God's promised people or chosen ones are not trusting in Him, doesn't this mean God is not faithful? Or Is who God is contingent upon His people's response of Him? Or If the Jews have failed as God's people, then how God then must be powerless and He is unfaithful? God would not choose a people that would then not trust Him, would He?
The response to the Objection
Verse 4: May it never be. This is the strongest statement that could be made and denotes impossibility. God's faithfulness is not conditioned upon man's response. And all men or people includes Jews.
Paul then turns to a quote from the Old Testament, Psalm 51:4 which states, "Against You, You only, I have sinned; And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge." I believe Paul is stating here that God will always be justified to judge man of sin. This was Paul's main point in chapter 2. God is true. Every man may be a liar, but God is true. The Jew's disobedience didn't somehow make God not true and not the judge. Yes, He chose the Jews, but God's character is not dependent upon their response to Him.
God is faithful to bless and God is faithful to curse. For God to be justified the payment for the injustice committed is decided by the one that has been wronged. Once I sin, I am a sinner and have therefore broke God's standard or His Law. I don't get to decide what will be acceptable to God in order to be counted as excused from being a sinner. As an example, if I hit someone's car driving, I don't get out of the car, look at the dent and then tell the person, "well, that's not such a big deal, here's $50, apply this to your damage." No, instead the person whose car I hit gets to decide how much I am to pay. To be justified then is according to His Standard of the prescribed punishment. And when the payment is then made, the person is paid in full.
And Paul is stating once again that payment of sins is faith in God so man can then be declared righteous.
God is the perfect judge.
Verse 4: May it never be. This is the strongest statement that could be made and denotes impossibility. God's faithfulness is not conditioned upon man's response. And all men or people includes Jews.
Paul then turns to a quote from the Old Testament, Psalm 51:4 which states, "Against You, You only, I have sinned; And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge." I believe Paul is stating here that God will always be justified to judge man of sin. This was Paul's main point in chapter 2. God is true. Every man may be a liar, but God is true. The Jew's disobedience didn't somehow make God not true and not the judge. Yes, He chose the Jews, but God's character is not dependent upon their response to Him.
God is faithful to bless and God is faithful to curse. For God to be justified the payment for the injustice committed is decided by the one that has been wronged. Once I sin, I am a sinner and have therefore broke God's standard or His Law. I don't get to decide what will be acceptable to God in order to be counted as excused from being a sinner. As an example, if I hit someone's car driving, I don't get out of the car, look at the dent and then tell the person, "well, that's not such a big deal, here's $50, apply this to your damage." No, instead the person whose car I hit gets to decide how much I am to pay. To be justified then is according to His Standard of the prescribed punishment. And when the payment is then made, the person is paid in full.
And Paul is stating once again that payment of sins is faith in God so man can then be declared righteous.
God is the perfect judge.
Promise: God is always true though every person may be a liar.
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