Objections Answered

9-20 is Paul’s summation of human depravity and condemnation of the human race.

But before he summarizes, he needs to address some objections.

Every teacher is easily misunderstood or mischaracterized or falsely accused.

You will notice in verse 8, Paul states that he has been slandered.

It’s often an awkward position to answer critics.

What Paul tackles here is very, very good for us, at least in two ways:

First, this section shows the tremendous blessing it is for us to be under Bible teaching.

Second, we should see we must be very careful and take great care in how we listen, and consider our teachers and leaders.

Read Romans 3:1-8

What do we make of this?

Let me lay this out:

4 Objections set up in 8 questions, or better stated, 4 pairs of questions with 4 Answers.

The objections are in the odd verses — 1, 3, 5, and 7.

The answers are in the even verses — 2, 4, 6, and 8

1. First Objection

What is the advantage of being a Jew?

And there is the second question — What is the benefit of being circumcised?

What is the advantage of being a Jew?

And both have but one answer. The Answer: Considerably, in every way!

The Answer: Considerably, in every way!

The first question addresses what he said in 2:17-24 and the second deals with 2:25-29. And he really answers the objections with one answer. And he lists them — But there is really only one reason: They have been given God’s Word.

And he lists them — But there is really only one reason: They have been given God’s Word.

Advantage of God’s Word and sitting under God’s Word.

2. Second Objection

Is some did not believe? Will their unbelief cancel God’s faithfulness?

Again, this hits at God’s Word.Can we trust God’s Word. The Jews are God’s people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant.

An entire generation never made it into the Promised Land. Many were killed off or sent into exile, because they didn’t believe. Most did not believe Jesus to be the Messiah.

The Answer — Absolutely not!

This is the strongest negation. “But Paul said Israel is lost without Christ.” They are!

Paul nips this in the bud — immediately.

“God must be true, even if everyone is a liar.”

And what does Paul go to? The Scripture. Which is application for us. The application is very apparent — what is your confidence in God’s Word, the Bible.

3. Third Objection

Verse 5

This one is really nutty and illogical, and completely unbiblical objection. This is drawing the conclusion that God’s judgment is unjust and God’s wrath is unjust, because if God’s righteousness is demonstrated in man’s unrighteousness then how can God be righteous to pour out his righteous judgment? How can man be responsible? That’s really the logic.

This is so out of wack, that Paul must say, “I use a human argument.” In other words, this is not divine reasoning. This is not reading and understanding God’s Word. It’s human logic that comes to this conclusion.

The Answer — Absolutely Not!

There it is again. May it never be — Nonsense!

“How will God judge the world?” In other words, God would be barred from judging His word because God could never be just and fair. And that is absolutely absurd!

4. Fourth Objection

Verse 7

This is no imaginary objection. This is serious. He calls it slanderous.

If the more a person sins, the more the truth of God is enhanced, then why am I still judged as a sinner? Why does God still want to judge me?

These people are not only misunderstand, but they misrepresent and then talk to others, spread the lie.

The Answer — “Their condemnation is deserved!”