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.
I made it through Chapter 1... YEAH!
It is interesting to note that the word Paul uses here for man no longer seeing it fitting to acknowledge God is the Greek word dokimazo. This term refers to putting something/someone to the test in order to approve it/them, in order that one might put their stamp of approval on it/them. Paul was stressing that mankind looked at God, examined Him in order to approve Him in the hopes of finding Him satisfactory. They in turn did not find him to be worthy… “…they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer.” God was no longer “fit” for them. They had put Him on trial and found Him to be wanting.
I’m not sure how this makes God feel when we do this but I am guessing it saddens Him. If you’ve ever organized your own Garage Sale you know what I’m talking about. Not much makes you feel so unappreciated and small than to see strangers rummaging through your belongings which are marked down drastically. They pick something up and while you are remembering all the good memories from that specific relic they simply drop it down and keep moving as if to say, “Na… it’s not really worth the ten cents you have it listed at!” I just want to tell them “Get, out of here jerk! I’ll keep my item, thank you very much!” Luckily God's patience far exceeds that of my own.
Two weeks ago I began a pride swallowing siege through the book of Romans. I've been taking it one day at a time and journaling my journey. At this rate I should finish it in about 2 years. Today I made it all the way through verse 21. Not as in verses 1-21... just verse 21. I am amazed at how much is in there. Then again, I'm an analytical learner so I'm always looking for something new or even something old in a new context. So I am just taking my sweet time and you know what? It feels good. I am getting to use some of my Greek (which basically consists of me reading some other person's thoughts and me going... "uh yeah, I think I remember that"). I know often it is best to read the entire work all together but sometimes slow and steady wins the race. I gotta say though I'm only on v.21 and I've already been challenged greatly!
I'm excited that when its all said and done I will have steeped myself in the mind of Paul but more importantly in the power of the Gospel. I might be posting some periodic thoughts from time to time (how's that for redundancy?).
Later
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