The Righteousness Of God

MAY 10, 2023 STUDY NOTES ROMANS 3:1-8 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD INTRODUCTION Many commentaries consider Romans 3:1-8 a very difficult passage to interpret Paul works us through a series of questions in these verses, but what is his purpose? There is at least one question in each verse except verses 2 and 4 The questions come as-a result of Paul’s teaching in Romans 2 Which was being challenged by the Jews because they did not understand all that was said Paul had said that some Jews were not Jews at all, Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: Paul said that some Gentiles could really be as the Jew even if they were not circumcised, Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Was Paul telling the Jews that they were not a privileged people in the eyes of God? Are they really God’s chosen nation, chosen for God’s purpose, to fulfill His will through them? Was God righteous in His decisions toward the Jews? Was God righteous in His decisions toward the Gentiles? Rom 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Paul’s first question, “What advantage then hath the Jew?” Is there an advantage to being born a Jew? Does the Jew have an advantage over the Gentile through birth? Do the Jews have a superior status before God over the Gentiles? If so, how does the Jew compare with the Gentiles before God? The answer is found in God’s calling of the nation of Israel, Deu 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. God set apart the Israelites from other nations to be His special people for a special purpose To be “holy people,” people who were to live in obedience to God’s Law, Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; The faithfulness of God toward His people would be experienced through obedience to God Israel was to be an example to the Gentiles of God’s faithfulness to His promises and His Word God revealed His faithfulness by remaining faithful to Israel in spite of her unfaithfulness to Him The unfaithfulness of Israel toward God did not nullify God’s faithfulness to Israel Paul’s second question, “What profit is there of circumcision?” “Profit” has the meaning of benefit or gain, was there an advantage of circumcision? Does the Jew experience any value or benefit through the rite of circumcision? Does God have any special favors for obedience to the Jewish act of circumcision? Circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant with Israel, it was not the covenant itself, Gen 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. Symbolizing commitment to the Lord, and to the Lord alone, there would be no other gods Identifying with faith in the Abrahamic covenant and belief in the Promised Seed, the Messiah Page 1 of 6 Belief in and acceptance of the Messiah would result in an internal circumcision of the heart Deu 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. Heart circumcision is by the grace of God through faith and identifies with salvation Circumcision of the heart is an internal spiritual work of God through the Spirit Resulting in a new heart with the desire to be obedient unto God Which can only be of God through the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God Salvation is never attained through any physical religious ceremony such as circumcision Salvation is the result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit within the heart, Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Paul has an answer to the questions of verse 1, “yes,” there were many advantages for the Jew Rom 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. In “much every way” were the Jews privileged people, which could be shown in many ways Of which Paul was an example, Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence (be fully persuaded) in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Paul gives 7 advantages which allowed him to say, “I more,” Php 3:5 (#1) Circumcised the eighth day, (#2) of the stock of Israel, (#3) of the tribe of Benjamin, (#4) an Hebrew of the Hebrews; (#5) as touching the law, a Pharisee; Php 3:6 (#6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; (#7) touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. All of which was very meaningful to Paul until he met Jesus on the Damascus Road (Acts 9) Paul was saved and received a new life filled with present advantages, Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (He gained all spiritual blessings, Eph. 1:3) And future advantages, Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Paul knew from personal experience the truth of what he was saying in Romans 3:2 But “chiefly,” meaning in a special way, a way that is of utmost importance The main reason the answer is “Yes” to the questions of verse 1 is very important “Because that unto them were committed the oracles of God” The Jews were entrusted by God, God trusted them with the “oracles of God” “The oracles of God” are the teachings of God, that which God had spoken to the Jews By which the Jew could know God’s will for them and be obedient to God’s will “The oracles of God” was God’s way of communicating His purpose for His chosen people The Jews had a great advantage, they received the “Living Word” of the “Living God” Which brings us to the question, “do we realize and take to heart the advantage we have today?” We have the completed Word of God which reveals God’s purpose for our life today Are we fulfilling God’s purpose for our life today according to the Bible? Are you serious about learning the Bible? Are you serious about living according to the Bible? Peter tells us how important it is to realize that as Christians today we have been “entrusted” God has entrusted us with the responsibility of ministering through the “oracles of God,” 1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. We all have family, friends, and neighbors that need the teachings of God, the world needs it God has a word for today, God has an answer to the problems we face today I think that there is a most important point found within the meaning of what Peter says We do not all face the same problems you have not experienced the same trial others are facing But you have a personal experience which is a commitment to and belief in the Word of God Your testimony is you are living your life according to “the oracles of God” Page 2 of 6 You have-an understanding of what you are saying from an understating of the Bible God has trusted the Christian with the privilege of ministering to others through God’s Word We must read it and believe it, learn it and live it, experience it and share it with all others The Jews failed to take advantage of their God-given privilege, is the church of today failing? Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? There was no question about this question, there were those who “did not believe” The reference is to Jews who were unfaithful, who did not obey the oracles of God Their unfaithfulness was because of a lack of faith, due to “their unbelief” Many in our world today are known for their unbelief, which is more than doubt Doubt leads to the rejection of skeptics who deny God and His Word Based upon their so-called scientific reasoning and research which is really unreasonable Unreasonable because of the reason that God’s Word is eternally settled, Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Which actually answers the following question, shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? What effect does the unbelief of the Jew have toward the faithfulness of God toward His Word? Does the lack of faith and unbelief nullify or make ineffective the promises of God to the Jew? Does it cause God to break His promises to those who love Him? God will not and cannot break His unconditional promises to the nation of Israel Promises which are to the nation and not to individual Jews The conditional promises of God to the individual Jew are based upon their faith and obedience Paul’s answer to the questions of verse 3 are found in verse 4 Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. God forbid, such a thought should never enter the mind, in no way will it ever happen God will never be unfaithful to His promises, God will never be unfaithful in any way Paul explains why it will never happen, why it is impossible for God to be unfaithful to His Word Let God be true, which applies to every word of the Word of God, the Bible is inspired by God The Word of God is the very breath of God, 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: You can depend upon God’s Word for every decision and every step of your life No other book can be as useful and helpful for life as the “Living Word of God,” Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Because the Word of God is alive it reaches into our innermost being with power The power to control “the thoughts and intents of the heart” before they become action When God is in control of the heart, He is in control of the hand and foot and every step of life You must understand that God always speaks truth, His Word is never found to be untrue Lies are spoken by Satan first-of all and then by sinful and worldly man, Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. As it is written takes us to the OT scripture, Paul refers to the words of David’s repentance, Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Sin is a violation against the Law of God, the Word of God, and the Will of God Page 3 of 6 The eye of God is upon every sin of every sinner every time a sin is committed Which leaves sinful humanity with no complaint, no argument, no debate against God’s justice We must all agree with David, that God is always just and righteous in all that God has to say The judgment of God is always based upon the righteousness of His Person What God says reveals the evidence of His true character, God is always right God’s Word always prevails, that thou mightiest overcome when thou are judged It is sinful mankind that judges what God has said, but God’s Word always stands victorious God’s Word will always prove to be true and right no matter who questions it The evidence of sinful humanity judging God and His Word is their failure to repent of sin In Psalm 51, David repented of his sins, there was no attempt to judge God or His Word David agreed that God was just and righteous in His judgment of David’s sin David’s hope was in the faithfulness of God’s grace, mercy, love, patience, and forgiveness Which is the same for us today, 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Sinful humanity is judging God when they refuse to repent of sin, 1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Unrighteous humanity will argue with the righteousness of God Rom 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) Before we interpret this verse notice what Paul said, “I speak as a man” What I have said is purely the way humanity thinks and speaks, the way people talk Paul refers to the arguments that sinners use to justify themselves before God If our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? If our unrighteous deeds are an opportunity for God to demonstrate His righteousness? Is that not good, allowing sin to serve a good purpose, showing how good God is to the sinner? The thought that the sinful way of man is a way to present to us the righteous way of God That kind of thinking brings up a question, “what shall we say?” Don’t forget the previous verse, let God be true, but every man a liar Consider that truth before you consider what this verse claims should be true “Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance?” Is it fair, then, for God to punish us when our sins are a way of helping to manifest Him? Is God unjust and wrong to inflict His wrath upon sinners, especially His own people, the Jews? The word translated vengeance is the same word translated wrath 11 times in Romans Paul has already revealed the truth of the wrath of God, Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; The “wrath of God” is the action of the holiness of God, action against sin, evil, and sinners Three reasons are revealed for the wrath of God in Romans 1:18: (1) Ungodliness (2) Unrighteousness (3) Unbelief of the truth The wrath of God can be experienced as a present judgment But God’s wrath will be fully and finally revealed in a future day, Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; That future day is known as the “Day of the Lord,” which is God’s judgment upon all enemies Referring to a future day belonging to the Lord, the day He will display His wrath upon all evil God’s delay of the Day of the Lord is so that the lost have an opportunity to repent, 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Page 4 of 6 But all sinners are not going to repent, so the day of God’s wrath must fall upon sinful man, 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Christians are not destined for the Day of the Lord, we are delivered from the wrath of God, 1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Paul’s answer to the question of sinful man in Romans 3:5 is answered in Romans 3:6 Rom 3:6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? The thought that God’s wrath should not fall upon sinners should never even be a thought God would not be righteous if He overlooked sin in the unrighteous There must be a judgment upon the unrighteous because God is righteous God must judge the world, Psa 9:7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. Psa 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. God’s will is for sinful man to repent and accept the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Man can repent of sin through Jesus or face the judgment of Jesus, Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Paul has already explained why sinful man does not repent, Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; “Hardness” means stubbornness, a hard, stubborn heart that refuses to repent Which is also described as an “impenitent heart,” describing the heart that refuses to repent The impenitent heart is the heart that “treasurest up unto thyself wrath” The heart that refuses to repent is storing up “wrath” “Wrath” refers to the divine judgment of God which will be inflicted upon the wicked “Against the day of wrath,” which does not refer to a twenty four hour period of time “The day” refers to a lengthy time period of certain events involving God’s wrath Scripture identifies the future “day of wrath” as the “Day of the Lord” The “day of wrath” yet to come will be a time of “making known” And that which shall be made known is “the righteous judgment of God” The judgment of God will be a “just judgment” upon sin, sin requires God’s judgment The truth of God’s righteousness will be revealed through His judgment upon sin Rom 3:7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? This verse reveals how far the mind of sinful man will go to justify his sinful way of life Sin is never right in our life or in God’s mind, sin is always against God and never works for Him God is never glorified through the sins of man, but through the righteousness of God in man, Php 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Glory and praise to God comes through the life that is filled with the fruits of righteousness Fruit comes forth from a life of righteousness, Jesus is the source of righteousness The fruits of righteousness are not produced through human ability but through union with Christ The fruit of righteousness is the result of a spirit- filled life, life controlled by the Holy Spirit Sinners are judged for their sin because they have not confessed sins and received forgiveness Page 5 of 6 Rom 3:8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. Paul had been accused of preaching a gospel message that was a license to sin The gospel Paul preached never encouraged people to continue in sin Paul had an immediate and simple answer to such a thing that he was accused of Whose damnation is just, the judgment of sin upon the sinner is the right decision In these verses Paul has presented the Righteousness of God In the following verses Paul will present the Unrighteousness of Man Page 6 of 6