God's Faithfulness
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Intro to Romans (refresher)
Author: The apostle Paul
Audience: The church in Rome, predominantly Gentile but including a minority of Jews
Date: About AD 57
Theme: Paul writes to the church in Rome to present his basic statement of the gospel: God’s plan of salvation is for all peoples, Jew and Gentile alike.
Quick look through Romans 1 & 2
Read Romans 3:1-8
Read v.1
3. Romans 3:1 “1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?”
Advantage : a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position.
ill) home football team
What advantage Is Paul talking about in verse 1?
God’s chosen people / circumcision
If God judges all persons equally, what advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, one of God’s chosen people?
Romans: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition 6. The Objections of the Jews 3:1–8
Better to be a pagan with the light of conscience, than a Jew (or Christian) held to a much higher standard of conduct.
4. Read v.2
Romans 3:2 “2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.”
entrusted: the advantage of having “ the very words of God” leads to a duty to obey them.
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
But, to have received this fuller understanding of who God is and how He relates to humanity is not a curse; it is a wonderful blessing
Paul confirms that knowledge of God’s character brings a higher accountability, but he will not be moved from his robust confidence that the word of God’s love and grace really is good news that needs to be shared.
words of God : the Hebrew scriptures (OT)
What are the words of God that Paul is referring to?
5. Read v.3
Romans 3:3 “3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?”
Romans 10:6 “6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down)”
Hebrews 4:2 “2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.”
God’s faithfulness. God is faithful to his promises and would both bring about salvation for his people who remained faithful to him and also punish those in Israel who did not
God’s past faithfulness points to His future faithfulness.
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Do we have some that are unfaithful who walk among the church and believers?
Can we worry about what others do? WHY?
6. Read v. 4
Romans 3:4 “4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.””
What exhibits God’s faithfulness?
God’s punishment of sin exhibits his faithfulness to his righteous character.
How do you know God is true and right?
“God never made a promise that was too good to be true.”
Dwight L. Moody
7. Read v.5
Romans 3:5 “5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)”
God’s righteousness By contrast, in showing it up against the dark background of human sin.
How does our unrighteousness bring out God’s righteousness?
a human argument “Human” in the sense of its weakness and absurdity.
Why do we think we can bring out righteousness?
8. Read v. 6-8
Romans 3:6 -8 “6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!”
Romans: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition (6. The Objections of the Jews 3:1–8)
The Jews of Paul’s day are not the last individuals who have constructed devious excuses for their misconduct.
There is still an argument abroad today that suggests God is just too good to punish those who violate His standards. “Somehow God’s unconditional love will have to find a way to excuse their sinfulness,” goes this line of reasoning.
“God will find a way to turn their rebellious attitude into something worthwhile and thus include them in His redemptive plan
.” Although no true believer rejoices in the destruction of the wicked, we must be wary of those who push God’s love into something which absolves us from accountability for our actions.
why am I still condemned as a sinner?
Why do you think people today think that their sinfulness has no accountability?
To remove accountability to God for sin is to remove one of the realities that make grace so powerful.
Darrell L. Bock
