Romans: Faithless. Faithful.

Romans 3:1-8

During Paul’s time, the Jews sometimes acted as if they had a monopoly on the spiritual market. In fact, the first church council recorded in Acts 15 discussed whether the Gentiles should be accepted into the church and if circumcision was necessary for them. The decision was made that the only requirement for joining the church was not based on nationality or religious ceremony but solely on faith in Jesus. Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, is the path of salvation for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike.

But even after the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, a group of Jewish Christians known as Judaizers traveled to various churches, teaching that circumcision and following the Mosaic Law were necessary to be recognized as believers. Paul addressed these issues with the Judaizers in his letter to the churches near Galatia, written between 48 and 50 AD. Now, ten years later, he has a heartfelt conversation with the Jews. In Romans 2, Paul explains that a relationship with God isn’t earned by keeping the law. 

Some Jews felt superior because God had given them the law, and they had been its stewards. But Paul reminded them that legalism always leads to hypocrisy. Some might obey part of the law successfully, but they will eventually fail in another part. That was the purpose of the law: to show us that no one can meet God’s perfect standard through human effort. The law reveals our need for a Savior. 

“What advantage has the Jew?”
The Jews were confused. They were God’s chosen people, weren’t they? Their story was throughout the Old Testament. Did being Jewish mean nothing?  Paul anticipated their questions. 

Romans 3:1-2
Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?  Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Paul reiterated that God had chosen the Jews to represent him and, through circumcision, to enter into a covenant with him. God revealed himself to the Jewish people throughout the Old Testament. He selected them, shaped them as a nation, protected them, and entrusted them “with the oracles of God.” 

The word translated as “oracles” is the Greek word logia. This could refer to the entire Old Testament, but it most likely refers to all the promises and commands of God.[1]

The word “entrusted” originates from the Greek word pisteuo, which means “to believe.” God believed the Jews to be stewards of his commands and promises. What a privilege!

Does our faithlessness nullify God’s faithfulness? 
Now, the fact that the Jews were stewards of God’s commands and promises didn’t mean that every Jew was a good steward. So, Paul follows up by addressing two questions.

Romans 3:3-4a
What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means!

Does man’s unfaithfulness negate God’s faithfulness? Put another way, God gave his commands and promises to a people who were unfaithful to him. Is that a reflection on God himself? Does the unfaithfulness of believers make God’s faithfulness ineffective? Paul uses the strongest Greek negative (me genoito), translated as “By no means!” or “May it never be!” 

Paul emphasizes that even if every person were unfaithful, it would never nullify the faithful and true word of God. 

Romans 3:4b
Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” 

Does God’s faithfulness to me depend on my faithfulness to him? The legalist would say, “Yes.” A legalist would claim that if I keep God’s commandments, he blesses me; but if I sin, he rejects me. My relationship with God is dependent on my actions. However, Paul’s argument is clear: even when I sin, God never changes. He is always faithful to me. God’s faithfulness is not based on my works, but entirely in his grace. 

To make the point, Paul quoted from Psalm 51:4. This psalm was David’s prayer of repentance after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed. Indeed, David had been unfaithful to God. Here is David’s confession. 

Psalm 51:4 (NIV)
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

David admitted his sin and recognized God’s faithfulness in his judgment. God stayed true even when David failed. Paul put it like this in 2 Timothy: "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself" (2 Tim. 2:13). 

That raised another interesting question that Paul addresses. 

“Why not do evil that good may come?”

Romans 3:5-8
But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.)  By no means! For then how could God judge the world?  But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. 

Here's the flawed thinking: if God remains faithful even when we are unfaithful, then he always appears admirable. In fact, the worse we are, the more his goodness is revealed. And if our sin causes his character to shine, why would he ever punish us for disobedience? In a sense, our disobedience unintentionally brings glory to God.

People who didn’t understand God’s grace were slanderously making this charge against Paul. If it’s all by grace, why keep the law? Why not do evil so that “good may come”? In fact, if our unrighteousness shows off God’s righteousness, then God is unrighteous when he judges sin. Paul again responds with the strongest Greek negative, me genoito—“By no means!” “May it never be!”  

Paul makes it clear that God’s judgment of sin is always fair and just. As King David stated, “You are right in your verdict and justified when you judge."

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 3:1-8. Focus on the great privilege of being a Christian. Are you in any way presuming on God’s grace?

Talking to God: Am I honoring the privilege of being entrusted with God’s Word by how I live and respond to it?

Zoom Calls: We’re excited to invite you to a special Zoom call on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM as we come together to reflect on what we’ve learned in our study of John and take a midpoint review of the book of Romans. There will be more details coming closer to that date. 

And please mark your calendars for our next two Zoom gatherings as well:
Romans Wrap-Up – Monday, November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Revelation Wrap-Up – Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
We look forward to continuing to grow together in God’s Word!

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