The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 7
Special English Version

The Faithfulness of God

Reading Assignment: Romans 3

Introduction
Remember that the key word in Romans is RIGHTEOUSNESS. In Romans 1:17, we considered: GOD REVEALED RIGHTEOUSNESS in the Gospel of Christ. Paul said he was not ashamed of this Gospel. Beginning at Romans 1:18 through Romans 2:29 we saw that GOD REQUIRED RIGHTEOUSNESS. God required righteousness of the Gentiles. They denied natural revelation (which is everything God created), changed the truth of God and practiced sinful and degrading behavior. God required righteousness of the self-righteous Gentiles who considered themselves honorable. God required righteousness of the Jews. They had the knowledge of the law but they were guilty because they did not keep it. They turned away from God and performed empty ceremonies without faith in God.

In this lesson, Romans 3:1-20, we shall conclude our studies on the section of our outline, CONDEMNATION-GOD REQUIRED RIGHTEOUSNESS. We shall see a further condemnation of the Jews. God’s condemnation of the whole world follows this. In this way God shows us that all of us are guilty and in need of God’s righteousness.

Importance of this Lesson

• Before he writes about the grace of God, Paul takes time to show how every human being must be saved.
• It is of great importance that we see clearly that living a good life, going to church and sincerely doing 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 Jews. The Jews raised objections concerning:
   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 – THE JEWS ASKED QUESTIONS AND RAISED OBJECTIONS
After Paul accused them, especially in Romans 2:25-26, it was perfectly natural for the Jews to ask certain questions.

1. If God can accept the Gentiles when they did not have the law (Romans 2:14), what good is our circumcision?
2. If God can accept uncircumcised Gentiles who keep the law (Romans 2:25-26), what advantages do we have as Jews? It seems that Paul taught that there was difference between Jews and Gentiles! They thought they were better because they were the chosen people of God (Deuteronomy 7:6)!

II. ROMANS 3:2 – PAUL’S REPLY TO THE FIRST OBJECTION CONCERNING 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 gave all of the Old Testament prophesies and promises to Israel! This was a great privilege! It was a great advantage! Keep in mind that we are in debt to Israel for the whole Bible.
2. Paul talks further about Israel’s advantages in Romans 9:4-5.
3. Remember that the promises to Israel are yet to be fulfilled to the Jews. These promises are not to the church. Israel was set aside, not destroyed. 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: If the result of all their privileges and advantages was not the fulfillment of God’s purposes, then had God failed?”
2. Paul’s reply, God forbid – this is an expression Paul often uses (Romans 3:6; 6:2; 11:1). It is a strong denial which means, “away with such an idea.”
3. …let God be true, but every man a liar… Actually, “let God be found true, etc.” Every person who does not believe, now or in the past, God will show them as liars when He fulfills His promises! It is impossible for God to lie. Read Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2.
4. …as it is written… – 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. They said, If our sin made the grace of God great, then is God unrighteous when He judges and punishes us for our sins?
2. Romans 3:5 – … I speak as a man. That is, Paul spoke from the human viewpoint.
3. Those who oppose preachers who emphasize the grace of God in their messages always say that such preaching means that it is fine for a person 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).
   • When a person sins and rejects God’s promises and faithfulness it 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
   made the truth of God’s faithfulness and righteousness greater.
3. …why yet am I also judged as a sinner? – In other words, if God’s grace is made greater because He forgives my sin, it is better for me to continue to sin so I can show how great the grace of God really is.
4. …as we be slanderously reported… – Paul was accused by some people of preaching that it was OK 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 accusation of legalists against the teaching of pure grace.
5. …whose damnation is just – Paul always faithfully warned of sure judgment for the sinner.

V. THE FINAL SECTION OF CONDEMNATION – GOD REQUIRED RIGHTEOUSNESS
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).
   Paul lists several things to describe man’s sinful nature.
   1. All under sin – found guilty and under the condemnation of the law. For the word “all”, refer to Galatians 3:22 and Romans 11:32.
   2. There is none righteous (Romans 3:10). Man is without God’s righteousness. Not one person 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 is born with an understanding of 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. Heathens 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) when it is 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 things that are true of the unsaved.
   1. Their throat – It is like an open grave that gives off the smell 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 power of a tongue that is corrupt and abusive. A tongue that spoils the reputation of other people by spreading lies (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 normal conversation of a group of sinners today.
   5. Whose feet are swift to shed blood (Romans 3:15). Murder, attack, and injury 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 suffering.
   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 “respectful admiration.” Nothing is more needed in this world today than a respect for God and His Word.
5. 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 most important reasons for the giving of the Law. It was not given to make men righteous but to show man’s unrighteousness.
      “ Every mouth might be stopped” means that no person can say he is righteous before the law. No person can say a word to right himself with 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 conclusion about everything he has written thus far. The conclusion is that good works, self-righteous deeds, can never make a person righteous 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 cure.

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