YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN

Romans 3:1-8

Paul summarizes his argument by refuting more possible questions. First, “What then is the advantage of Jewish circumcision?” Paul argues that the advantages are numerous, namely that they were the ones who have been entrusted with keeping the “oracles” or Word of God. The second question raised was “Will the unbelief of certain Jewish people negate the faithfulness of God?” Paul says, “Absolutely not! Rather it establishes it.” Paul quotes from Psalm 51 to prove that God knew from the beginning that man would sin and the coming judgment would be a just penalty. Even after the whole world is found to be liars (as The Message states), God’s Word will be found truthful.

Third, the question is raised, “If the sin of man demonstrates or shows God’s righteousness, how can he then judge us?” This is a valid question. If God’s righteousness is shown because of man’s sin then it would seem that man must sin in order for God’s righteousness to be shown. Furthermore, if man must sin then it would seem unfair for God to punish man for doing something he could not avoid doing. However, Paul defends his stance by again saying, “May it never be” or “Absolutely Not!” Paul says that if this were the case then man should go on doing evil again and again in order to usher in “the goodness” of God. Paul says this is nonsense talk. In fact some among them were actually teaching this methodology (v.8). Paul was showing the people they weren’t doing God any favors by sinning just so His gloriousness would shine forth. They were in fact only doing themselves harm.

This line of thinking would be like an abused woman who after being beaten by her husband would likely obtain some form of jewelry. Would it seem sane for her to provoke her husband to continually beat her simply so she could have a full set of rings, necklaces, and trinkets? Absolutely not, that would be insane right? This is Paul’s point.