The Question of God's Justice

Lesson 12- Romans 3_

Sunday, March 24, 2019

4:46 PM

Remind of the Diatribe in 1-16

Review rest of Chapter 2

Paul is coming back to that but now in verse 17 he makes it clear who he is talking about -

The Limitations of the Law & Covenant (2:17-29) -

This is split into two sections 17-24 deal with the Law and 25-29 is on Circumcision. I think I need to mention that in verse 12 for the first time in the Book of Romans Paul uses the big "L" word "Law" Every time you see that in this Book I want you to remember the Law of Moses - The Torah- That is the Law that Paul is referring to. The Jews lack righteousness

In Spite of Possession of the Law (2:17-24)

The Jew's privileges (17-20)

Possession of the law and the covenant sign of circumcision were perhaps the two most distinguishing marks of being Jewish. Given to Israel by God himself, they signaled the fact that the Jews were a special people, elevated above all other peoples. In discussing their value in these verses, then, Paul is discussing the ultimate value of being Jewish.

Moo, D. J. (2000). The NIV Application Commentary: Romans (91). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

In a series of “if” clauses, Paul begins by enumerating many of the privileges enjoyed by the Jews (vv. 17–20).

Moo, D. J. (2000). The NIV Application Commentary: Romans (91). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Romans 2:17-24 (NIV)

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,

20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--

21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

24 As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

Sacrilege - Rob temples- - taking coins, or precious things from temple idols or the idols themselves (strictly forbidden in The Torah but apparently by this time it was acceptable)

In spite of circumcision (2:25-29)

The value of circumcision (2:25-27) The value of character (2:28-29)

God's Faithfulness and the Judgment of Jews (3:1-8)

The problem of advantage (3:1-2)

Verse 1: Dunn says (I:138), “The slightly agonized cry of Jewish self-identity responds in bewildered protest” to the teaching of chapter 2. The protester’s thought is this: “If being a Jew gives us no advantage over the Gentiles on Judgment Day, then what’s the big deal about being a Jew at all? Have we just been spinning our wheels for the last 2,000 years? Are the covenant and its special sign — circumcision — God’s idea of a practical joke? Or is he just now changing his mind about the Jews? Is he going back on his word? What’s the use of being a Jew, then?”

Jack Cottrell and Tony Ash, ed., NIV New Testament Commentary Set, (Joplin, MO: College Press, 2000), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "1:18-3:20 — PART ONE".

The problem of annulment (3;3-4)

Verse 4 "as it is written" Taken from

Psalm 51:4 (KJV)

Ps 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.

David's great prayer of penitence in Psalm 51. David confessed his sin and acknowledged that God was justified in his judgment (Ps 51:4). Paul was saying that God will be proven right when he speaks (in judgment). He will win the verdict when the world goes on trial.

Robert H. Mounce, New American Commentary – Volume 27: Romans, (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1995), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 103.

The Question of God's Justice 3:5-8)

The first argument (3:5-6) The second argument (3:7-8)