Romans 3:1-8

Contemporary English Version -

Rom 3:1  What good is it to be a Jew? What good is it to be circumcised? 

Rom 3:2  It is good in a lot of ways! First of all, God's messages were spoken to the Jews. 

Rom 3:3  It is true that some of them did not believe the message. But does this mean that God cannot be trusted, just because they did not have faith? 

Rom 3:4  No, indeed! God tells the truth, even if everyone else is a liar. The Scriptures say about God, "Your words will be proven true, and in court you will win your case." 

Rom 3:5  If our evil deeds show how right God is, then what can we say? Is it wrong for God to become angry and punish us? What a foolish thing to ask. 

Rom 3:6  But the answer is, "No." Otherwise, how could God judge the world? 

Rom 3:7  Since your lies bring great honor to God by showing how truthful he is, you may ask why God still says you are a sinner. 

Rom 3:8  You might as well say, "Let's do something evil, so that something good will come of it!" Some people even claim that we are saying this. But God is fair and will judge them as well. 

Main Points: Paul just left off with a summary explanation of the spiritual reality of who a Jew is. He knew this would raise some push back. Also, he is thwarting any misjudgment against God.  Sin is an action that will be judged by God. The revealing of God’s goodness in spite of mankind’s foolish sin is not a case to continue in sin. (More specifically, a system that revolves around sin.) Nor does it give anyone a case against God’s judgment against sin.

1.       What was the advantage to the Jews? God entrusted His word to the Israelites.  One must dispel the thought of commonality when it comes to the word spoken by God. John opens his letter with the importance of Jesus personifying the Word. This was no small matter. Being entrusted of the word of the creator was a big deal.

2.       Did the unfaithfulness of the nation of Israel ruin the plans of God?  “No Indeed.”

3.       Explain the faithfulness of God. 4) God is  TRUE:  G227 alēthēs al-ay-thace' From G1 (as a negative particle) and G2990; true (as not concealing) – With Jehovah, there is nothing hidden. The reference to Psalms 51:4 is David’s lament to God for his own sin. He states that God is just, and that is the main point here. Regardless of how people postulate arguments against God. This would extend outward against the argument that God had a covenant with the Jews and now it is extending to everyone. Remember the history. God has been seemingly dealing with a single nation for hundreds of years. That perception has brought an air of entitlement for those of that nation. Paul’s task is to bring an understanding how God has reached out to the world through the Jews. That history is intact, but God’s desire is for all His children…not just them.

4.       Explain verses 5-6.  “how could God judge the world?” 6) Judge:  G2919 krinō kree'-no Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish – Paul’s answer is that God is the judge and he will judge….period. No amount of double talk or accusation against Him will stand.  I we are sinful, God will judge. If we are good, God will judge that. He does not need our sin to show his righteousness….it stands on its own…even if we were all liars, His righteousness stands.

5.       What justification is Paul defeating among the Jews? 8) Were there some making a case for sinful practices? That the sin of man reveals the goodness of God. Thus: If the goodness of God is revealed, we should sing even more? This is a ludicrous statement to the studied Christian, but this appears to be the argument. More pointedly, Paul is setting the stage to dismantle any argument in favor of upholding the idea of achieving righteousness via a system of law…which revolves around sin.

Additional:
2) …KJ -  committed the oracles  - -- Committed: G4100 pisteuō pist-yoo'-o From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust  -----Oracles : G3051 logion log'-ee-on Neuter of G3052; an utterance (of God)

This text is somewhat confusing in that Paul does not state what he is addressing until he is in the middle of addressing it, and it shifts to cover more than one thought or argument.
What is even more perplexing is what appears to be a sense of entitlement on the part of the Jewish Christians. Has God become more of a component of daily living much like the Roman gods? Remember the Roman gods were to be worshiped out of a sense of compulsion for anticipated gain. How much of that concept has seeped into the “belief” system that still remained for Jehovah? Rome is a far cry from Jerusalem…..and Jerusalem has its own problems with understanding Him.