Romans 3:1-8

The issue being addressed is: if there is no advantage in being Jewish and God can reject members of his covenant people, then how can we conclude that God is always faithful to his covenant promises?

This will be answered in depth in chapters 9-11, but we get a glimpse of it here

God’s Faithfulness and Jewish Failure (vv. 1-4)

If the Jews are just as wicked as the Gentiles, then what advantage does the Jew have? (vv. 1-2) -> much in every way!

There is a magnificent advantage to knowing God and being given His commandments, expectations, and descriptive character

While there is no salvific value in possessing the law, there is great religious value, as it leads you to God (Gal 3:19-29)

The primary blessing is possession of the word of God (v. 2 -> Rom. 9:4-5)!

Does Israel’s unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? (v. 3) -> Of course not!

There is nothing that will nullify the covenant God made in Gen. 15, in which He swore by Himself (Heb. 6:13-20)

Even the judgements of God were working for the redemption of His covenant people!

While God will never turn from His people, fleshly Judaism accomplishes nothing, and unbelief will be punished eternally

God will always be proven right (v. 4) -> even in judging Israel (Neh. 9:32-33; Ps. 45:4)

The confession of Ps. 51:4 is applied not just to David’s sin, but now Israel’s sin -> God is justified in His judgement!

God’s Righteous Judgement (vv. 5-8)

Is God unjust in wrath? (v. 5)

For God to be faithful to His covenant, He must apply judgement to wickedness

God is not just neutral in judgement, but judgement brings out the faithfulness of God

God forbid, for how else will He judge the world? (v. 6)

For God to judge the gentiles (which they expect and long for), He must also be able to justly judge the Jews

So when mankind is wicked and God judges them, the righteousness of God is seen -> God is glorified in judgement

So should we commit evil acts to promote God’s goodness? (vv. 7-8) -> this is laughable

“let us commit evil so good may result” -> let us murder, lie, and steal to promote good changes while we’re at it!

It is laughably illogical, yet it is the logic many would try to employ

God cannot possibly condone evil, as evil is against the character and nature of God -> such logic is not just silly, it’s blasphemous!

This ends the section convincing the Jews/those who have been entrusted with a privileged religious upbringing to a close

We will now see just how destitute mankind is!