A Study of Romans (6)

Divine Favor

Paul here begins to ask anticipated questions, ones that would come from objecting Jews;

Advantage Anticipated (v. 1) - Remember in chapter 2 Paul pointed out that the Jews were no better of than the Gentiles based on their action;

Now this would have definitely stirred up an emotional response for the Jewish people;

While yes the Jews are God’s people then and to this day, but being chosen does not give right a failure to follow God’s commands;

The Jews looked to outward compliance in place of inward commitment;

Advantage Answered (v. 2) - Paul bring to their attention the key components for a solution;

“Much in every way!” indicates they as a Jews people they did enjoy or have access to many advantages, Paul never denied this fact and we should not deny it even to today;

What Paul is telling them, and us today, is there needs to be less concern with sign and more concern with the actions.

Divine Faithfulness

Veracity Anticipated (v. 3) - Paul now points out again that even though they, the Jewish people, had received God’s revelation they still stood before God guilty of unbelief;

Unbelief or belief is the deference between eternal punishment and eternal bliss;

Now lack of belief does not negate God’s promise of salvation or His promises to the Jews, human action does not change God - belief in God changes human response to Him;

Veracity Answered (v. 4) - the answer comes in three considerations that mean the same thing;

God is faithful - Man cannot nullify God’s faithfulness through any action;

God is truthful - God’s word and promises will come to pass - have you ever heard the someone say “and you can take that to the bank” that simply means you trust it has value;

God’s pronouncements are right and just - Just because people claim that God’s word is wrong does not make it wrong, the Bible over the years has been proven correct over and over again.

According to the Institute for Creation Research there have been approximately 25,000 pieces of manuscript found related to the Bible, approximately 6,000 of them are in Greek, there are only 5 manuscripts of Aristotle with the earliest being 1,400 after the original;

Remember God’s promises to man have always been conditional.

Divine Fairness

Justice anticipated (v. 5, 7) - these are two question that ask the same thing one coming from the Jewish readers verse 5;

Now Paul has shown that their, the Jews, lack of faith will not turn God’s faithfulness;

God’s truthfulness becomes more evident as man lies more about Him;

The righteousness of God shines well beyond man’s sinful actions;

So there are some that think it’s OK to sin because will be glorified regardless;

Let’s look at a couple things before this is answered -

Man’s natural argument - in v. 5 there is a parenthetic “I speak as a man” is as if it is a man that does not understand spiritual things - a spiritual man would never consider that would excuse sin;

This not what Paul taught - in some translations there is another parenthetic in v. 8, “Let us do evil that good may come” - this was an accusation of Paul’s teaching in order to discredit him and his co-workers;

Justice Answered (v. 6, 8) - God never justifies sin period and heres how we know this truth;

God is just in punishing sin - the clarification is in v. 6 “Certainly not!”, some translations say “God forbid!” - God’s righteousness is unchanging and He cannot and will not accept sin - remember Jesus on the Cross (“My God, My God why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46);

Man is never justified in sinning - so if the Jews thought in v. 7 was correct that “my lie” glorifies God, then we could do whatever we want which is foolishness, deserves their just condemnation;

Just because of God saving the sinner that does not justify or excuse the sin.