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ROMANS - The Lord is our Righteousness
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
PART 1 - The Righteousness of God Condemns all Sinners and Justifies and Sanctifies all Believers in Christ (Romans 1:18 - 8:39)
A - The Whole World Lies under the Sway of the Wicked One, and God will Judge all in Righteousness (Romans 1:18 - 3:20)
2. The Wrath of God is Revealed against the Jews (Romans 2:1-3:20)

e) The Privilege of the Jews does not Save them from the Anger (Romans 3:1-8)


ROMANS 3:1-5
1 Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment.” 5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.

Before Paul wrote his epistle to the church in Rome, there were several questions among its members. The believers of Gentile origin did not regard the Jews as greatly privileged and honored. Therefore, they were pleased when Paul confirmed, in his epistle, that the Law and circumcision would condemn the people of the old covenant.

On the other hand, the Christians of Jewish origin, who adhered to the Law, put the subject of righteousness by faith under question. They were displeased with Paul’s clarifications, as he broke their privileges of the Law and covenant.

Paul knew of these different attitudes through his missionary journeys, and he answered their questions beforehand in his epistle to the Romans. He assumed that someone said to him: “You are right, Paul, the Jews are not greater than we are.” And Paul answered him with a smile: “My dear brother, you are wrong, for the Jews still have a great privilege. It is neither their race, nor their genius, nor their nationality, which are all but dust and ashes. Their only privilege is the word of God deposited in their hands. This revelation will remain their pride and responsibility forever.

Then Paul assumed that another objector said: “But they were not faithful and keepers to the Law of the covenant.” And Paul replied to this serious charge saying: “Do you think that man’s fault makes the promises and faithfulness of the Lord null and void? God is neither hesitant, nor does he lie. His word is the eternal truth and the foundation of the universe. The grace of the Lord, in front of the infidelity of men, is faithful and lasting forever. If God invalidated the old covenant because of the sins of its people, there would be no continuance of our new covenant. In fact, we in the new covenant sin more than those of old, compared with the considerable gifts given to us. Therefore, we do not build our hope on our apparent failure, or imagined success, but only on the grace of God. We admit that we are liars and false as all men, and we testify that God alone is the truthful and faithful one. His faithfulness and his promises never fail.

ROMANS 3:6-8
6 May it never be! For then how will God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let us do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.

As Paul emphasized our hope, which is built only on the faithfulness of God, he heard in his spirit evil voices crying out offensively: “How can God remain righteous if his faithfulness and grace are manifested through our sins? Is it not unjust for God to punish our sin and unbelief when the universal guilt and corruption of mankind give occasion to the manifestation of his great faithfulness? Then, come on; let us sin in order to glorify him!”

Paul did not keep silent at this serious charge, but he clarified and deepened it through other objections, and clarified that he did not put them as an apostle, but as a natural man. He said: Certainly, if the faithfulness of God is manifested through our injustice, it will be unjust for God to be the Judge of the world; and if our lying supports his truth, he will have no right to condemn the world. Then, it would certainly be good for us to sin to occasion the glorifying of the good.

Paul did not give, in these negative discussions, a reply to the original question, but he emphasized, clarified, and developed the evil spirit in the questioners, to take all the arguments from his adversaries beforehand. Then he summed up his reply in two words: Firstly, “Certainly not!” which signifies in the Greek text, “I would that this thought were not produced in me”. I do not agree to it again at all, and God is my witness that I do not regard such blasphemy in my heart. And secondly, he said that the judgment of God will fall on those blasphemers, and that they cannot escape his anger, for he will destroy them immediately. From this apostolic style, we find that we sometimes arrive with the enemies of Christ at a stage where we have to stop all arguments and questions that we may not enter into blasphemy. Then we must have the courage to end the discussion, and put the people completely before God and his glorious justice.

PRAYER: O holy God, forgive us all our disobedient questions. Thank you for your patience, for you do not destroy us for our offense and ignorance, but you call us to reason that we may hear your word, and respond to the drawing of your Holy Spirit. Remove from us all opposing questions against your plan of love, and keep us in harmony with your will. O Lord, we do not want to be children of disobedience. So, teach us the humility of your Son, and fill us with the wisdom of your apostles that we may not speak, in our discussions with others, in human logic, but rather seek your guidance in all our services.

QUESTION:

  1. What are the original contradicting questions in the Epistle to the Romans, and what are their answers?

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