The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 7
The Faithfulness of God

Reading Assignment: Romans 3

Introduction
Remember that the key word in Romans is RIGHTEOUSNESS. In Romans 1:17, we considered RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED in the Gospel of Christ. Paul said he was not ashamed of this Gospel. Beginning at Romans 1:18 through Romans 2:29 we have viewed RIGHTEOUSNESS REQUIRED. It was required of the Gentile world, which denied natural revelation, perverted the truth of God and gave itself over to vile and degrading behavior. It was required of the knowledgeable, sophisticated, moralistic, self-righteous Gentiles who considered themselves respectable. It was required by the Jewish world that had the knowledge of the law but was guilty of failure, apostasy and empty formalism.

In this lesson, Romans 3:1-20, we shall conclude our studies on the section of our outline, CONDEMNATION-RIGHTEOUSNESS REQUIRED. We shall see a further condemnation of the Jewish world, followed by God’s condemnation of the entire world, thus showing that all of us are guilty and in need of God’s righteousness.

Importance of this Lesson

• Before magnifying the grace of God, Paul goes to great lengths to show how every human being must be saved.
• It is of vast importance that we see clearly that morality, religion, sincerity and good works are not enough--for by such “…shall no flesh be justified in his sight…” Romans 3:20.

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The Lesson

Outline

1. Romans 3:1-8 is a continuation of the condemnation of the Jewish world. The Jewish world raised objections relating to:
   1. The Promises of God – Romans 3:2
   2. The Faithfulness of God – Romans 3:3
   3. The Righteousness of God – Romans 3:5-7
2. Romans 3:9-20 is God’s Condemnation of the whole world.

I. ROMANS 3:1 – QUESTIONS ASKED AND OBJECTIONS RAISED
After Paul’s indictment of them, especially in Romans 2:25-26, it was perfectly natural for the Jews to ask certain questions.

1. If Gentiles can be accepted of God when they did not have the law (Romans 2:14), what good is our circumcision?
2. If uncircumcised Gentiles can keep the righteousness of the law and be accepted of God (Romans 2:25-26), what advantages do we have in being Jews? Paul seemed to have rubbed out distinctions! After all, they were and are the chosen people of God (Deuteronomy 7:6)!

II. ROMANS 3:2 – PAUL’S REPLY TO THE FIRST OBJECTION RELATING TO THE PROMISES OF GOD

1. Much every way… – Paul may have had many advantages in mind but he names only one.
   1. Chiefly – first and of greatest importance: because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
   2. God committed and entrusted all the Old Testament prophesies and promises to Israel! What a privilege! What an advantage! Keep in mind that we are in debt to Israel for the entire Bible.
2. Paul enlarged on Israel’s advantages in Romans 9:4-5.
3. Remember that the promises to Israel are yet to be fulfilled to them, not to the church. Israel was set aside, not obliterated.
   Read Romans 11:1, 2 and 25.

III. ROMANS 3:3-4 – THE SECOND QUESTION AND OBJECTION RELATING TO THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

1. Did Israel’s unbelief …make the faith of God without effect?
   1. The faith of God should read “the faithfulness of God.”
   2. The Jews’ second question and objection was that if all of their privileges and advantages had not resulted in the fulfillment of God’s purposes, would this not mean that God had failed?”
2. Paul’s reply, God forbid – an expression often used by Paul (Romans 3:6; 6:2; 11:1). It is a vehement, strong denial meaning, “away with such an idea.”
3. …let God be true, but every man a liar… Actually, “let God be found true, etc.” All who did not and do not believe will be found liars when God fulfills His promises! It is impossible for God to lie. Read Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2.
4. …as it is written…, as found in Romans 3:4, is a quotation from Psalm 51:4. Compare David’s sin and God’s faithfulness to forgive and to fulfill His promises to David.

IV. ROMANS 3:5-8 –THE THIRD QUESTION AND OBJECTION RAISED – CONCERNING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

1. Romans 3:5 – This was probably the greatest criticism Paul faced in preaching the grace of God. The question was that if our sin, failure, unrighteousness, etc. magnified God’s grace, faithfulness, and righteousness, is not God unrighteous to judge and punish us for our sins?
2. Romans 3:5 – … I speak as a man. That is, from the human viewpoint.
3. Opponents have always accused those who emphasize the grace of God in their preaching or teaching of preaching license to sin.
4. Romans 3:6 – God forbid… Away with such an idea! If this were true of all sin, how could God judge the world? Judgment is certain for all (Romans 14:12; Acts 17:31).
• The failure and sin of man in rejecting God’s promises and faithfulness in no way affects the nature of God.
5. Romans 3:7-8 – For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory, why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
   1. …my lie – my unfaithfulness as a Jew.
   2. …the truth of God hath more abounded… – God never goes back on His promises. Israel’s failure
      magnified the truth of God’s faithfulness and righteousness.
   3. …why yet am I also judged as a sinner? – In other words, if in God’s forgiveness of my failure, sin and unrighteousness the grace of God was magnified, why not just keep on sinning and continue to show by my sin how gracious God is?
   4. …as we be slanderously reported…, – Paul was accused by some of preaching license to sin. Let us do evil, that good may come….
      • Here is the old idea that “the end justifies the means.” Here, as always, is the slander of legalists against the teaching of pure grace.
6. ...whose damnation is just – Paul always faithfully warned of inevitable judgment for the sinner.

V. THE FINAL SECTION OF CONDEMNATION – RIGHTEOUSNESS REQUIRED
In Romans 3:9-20, we see The Whole World as Guilty

1. A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THIS SECTION:
   1. The CONDITION of man in the eyes of God – Romans 3:9-12
   2. The CONDUCT of man apart from God – Romans 3:13-15
   3. The CONSEQUENCES to man for rejecting God – Romans 3:16-18
   4. The CONCLUSION of God about man – Romans 3:19-20
2. The CONDITION of man in the eyes of God (Romans 3:9-12).
   To describe man’s sinful nature Paul lists several things.
   1. All under sin – found guilty and under the sentence of the law. Also as “diseased and under quarantine.”
      For “all”, refer to Galatians 3:22 and Romans 11:32.
   2. There is none righteous (Romans 3:10). Man’s state is void of God’s righteousness. Not one since Adam has been righteous. Many proud sinners think of themselves as righteous
      (Matthew 6:5; Luke 18:9-11). Others try to “establish their own righteousness” (Romans 10:3).
   3. There is none that understandeth (Romans 3:11). That is, no one naturally understands spiritual things. Note John 3:3; 1 Corinthians 2:9,14; Ephesians 4:18.
   4. None that seeketh after God (Romans 3:11). Adam fled from God. Heathen worship demons, not God (1 Corinthians 10:20). God is the seeker (Luke 19:10). Sinners run from God.
   5. They are all gone out of the way (Romans 3:12). That is “gone aside” (Psalm 14:3), or “gone back” (Psalm 53:3). The idea is one of complete separation from God. See also Isaiah 53:6 and Proverbs 14:12.
   6. They are together become unprofitable (Romans 3:12). They are like spoiled or rotten fruit. Psalm 14:3 says “filthy.”
   7. There is none that doeth good (Romans 3:12). An unclean thing can never produce that which is clean (Job 14:4). Measured, of course, by the standard of the righteousness of God.
3. The CONDUCT of man apart from God (Romans 3:13-15) – Paul lists five characteristics of the unsaved.
   1. Their throat – It is like an open grave yielding the stench of death and decay. See Psalm 5:9.
   2. Their tongues have used deceit – Literally “have been using deceit” from the beginning. Remember, “The heart is deceitful above all things…” (Jeremiah 17:9). If sin were not deceitful it would never be delightful.
   3. The poison of asps is under their lips (Romans 3:13). Here we see the poisonous power of a vicious, slanderous, abusive tongue (James 3:6).
   4. Whose mouth is full of cursing… (Romans 3:14). All we have to do to understand this is to simply listen to the average conversation of a group of sinners today.
   5. Whose feet are swift to shed blood (Romans 3:15). Murder, assault, and violence fill the earth today.
4. The CONSEQUENCES to man for rejecting God (Romans 3:16-18).
   Paul lists three things:
   1. Destruction and misery are in their ways (Romans 3:16). Sin destroys many things and results in misery.
   2. The way of peace have they not known (Romans 3:17).
      Read Isaiah 57:20,21. The wicked never have perfect peace. Real peace is ours through faith and prayer. Read Romans 5:1 and Philippians 4:6-7. Only Christ can give perfect peace (John 14:27).
   3. There is no fear of God… (Romans 3:18). The idea of fear here means “reverential awe.” Nothing is more sorely needed in society today than a reverence for God and His Word.

E. God’s CONCLUSION about man (ROMANS 3:19-20).

1. That every mouth may be stopped (Romans 3:19). Here we see one of the great purposes of the giving of the Law. It was not given to make men righteous but to expose man’s unrighteousness.
   “ Every mouth might be stopped” means that none can claim to be righteous in view of the law or say one word to justify himself before God.
2. And all the world may become guilty before God (Romans 3:19). No one can deny the guilt. All of us need a Savior.
3. Romans 3:20. Therefore – here is Paul’s profound conclusion to all that he has written thus far. The conclusion is that good works, self-righteous deeds, can never justify us in the sight of a Holy God. Why? For by the law is the knowledge of sin. The law exposed the need. It doesn’t provide the remedy.

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