"All the World Guilty or God's Righteousness Upheld" are the headings of my study Bibles for Romans chapter 3, carry's on with the thinking of chapter 2. My foot note labels this area as "the Religious," from verse 1 through 20. So with that said, shall we begin our look into these scriptures to find out for yourselves why the translator, writers and publishers have titled it this why.
Romans 3:1-8 "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 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. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just." (KJV)
Romans 3:1-8 "Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged." But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just." (ESV)
Romans 3:1-8 "Having said all this, you might ask whether there is still any advantage in being Jewish? Is there any significance in circumcision? Everything only finds its relevance and value in the original intention of GOD when realized by faith (not mine or yours but His Faith, the same faith that the Lord Jesus operated on.) The question is, how does someone's failure to believe GOD affect what GOD believes? Can their unbelief cancel GOD'S Faith? (What we believe about God does not define; GOD'S Faith defines us. Look at the RSV translation, "What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of GOD? By no means!" ) GOD'S word is not under threat! In fact if all of humanity fails, truth remains intact. Truth is defined in GOD; it is neither challenged nor vindicated by human experience. Contradiction does not intimate or diminish the faith of GOD. Scripture records that GOD stands justified in his own word; it confirms that GOD's Promise and purpose are not compromised through humanity's failure; neither is GOD'S reputation threatened by our behavior. (Truth does not become true by popular vote. It is already as true as it gets because GOD believes it; it is from Faith (His seed of) to faith (our seed stock), says Paul. [Romans 1:17]; there is no gospel in it until the righteousness of GOD is revealed and realized; "we can do nothing against the truth!" [look at 2Corinthians 13:5 and 8]. David's sin did not cancel God's promise. "But my mercy I will not take from him" and "his house shall be made sure, and his kingdom is (remains) for ever before me, and his Throne shall be set up forever." [2Samuel 7:15-16] ) We could argue then that GOD doesn't have a right to judge us, if our unrighteousness only emphasizes his righteousness. This would make GOD an unfair judge of the world. This almost sounds like I am saying that it is not really wrong to sin, if our cheating only serves to further contrast the truth of GOD. Because of my emphasis on GOD'S Grace, some people slanderously make the assumption and accuse me that my teaching would give people a license to sin. "Let us do evil that good may come!" I strongly condemn such foolish talk!" But if our wickedness advertises the goodness of GOD, do we feel that GOD is being unfair to punish us in return? (I'm using human tit-for-tat argument.) Not a bit of it! What sort of a person would GOD be then to judge the world? It is like saying that if my lying throws into sharp relief the truth of GOD and, so to speak, enhances his reputation, then why should he repay me by judging me a sinner? Similarly, why not do evil that good may be, by contrast all the more conspicuous and valuable? (As a matter of fact, I am reported as urging this very thing, by some slanderously and others quite seriously! But, of course, such an argument is quite properly condemned." ---Phillips Translation)
We shall, the LORD willing continue on with, "No one righteous," next time.
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