Chapter 3:1-8

Commentary On The Epistle To The Romans

By Dr. John R. Stone

Romans 3:1-8

Overview:

Up to this point in the Book of Romans Paul has being declaring that all men everywhere are sinful and in need of a Savior. He has demonstrated that Gentiles cannot claim their ignorance as an excuse for their unbelief, and Jews cannot claim their race or religious activity as a substitute for genuine, personal faith. Both Jew and Gentile must come to God through faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Paul knew that the Jews would be shocked by this truth because the Old Testament makes it very clear that God did choose Israel to be His special people. Many Jews thought that because they were a part of the special, chosen nation that they were therefore automatically saved, and Paul is determined to correct that misunderstanding. So then, since that is the case, a Jew who is wrestling with what Paul is teaching might ask, “What is so special about being a Jew if being a Jew does not guarantee my salvation?”

What advantage is it to be a Jew?

Vss.1-2: Paul reassures his readers that there really is great benefit to being a Jew, even if being Jewish is not enough, in and of itself, for salvation. First of all, he says, it was to them that God revealed Himself through the Scriptures. They were the first to receive God’s revelation of redemption, and they were the first to see receive specific promises about the coming Messiah. In Romans 9:14 Paul explains that every Israelite grew up in a culture that was familiar with God’s promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) and the promise of the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31). The Jews knew about the righteous character of God because they were given the Law of Moses. They could recognize the symbolic types pointing to Christ in the Passover, the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and the many different kinds of sacrifices God required. Their culture was full of hope for and expectation of the Messiah. Every Jew growing up in that culture had a head start toward believing in Jesus for salvation. There really is great benefit to being a Jew.

Has Jewish unbelief cancelled God’s promises?

Vss. 3-4: Next, Paul reassures his readers that God has not cancelled His promises to the Jews. He will finish what He began with them because it is not their faithfulness, but His, that guarantees the fulfillment of His covenant promises to them. Their unbelief cannot cancel the covenant, but their unbelief magnifies the faithfulness of God on their behalf. This fact provides rich encouragement to us as we stumble and fail in many ways as Christians. It is not our effort, but His grace, that guarantees that we will make it to glory. We can never be good enough, strong enough, pure enough, or faithful enough to qualify for salvation; it is only by His grace that forgives, comforts, and encourages us that we have hope for eternal life. It is who Christ is, not what we do, that assures us of a home in heaven.

Can God judge the sin that magnifies His grace?

Vss. 5-8: Finally, Paul corrects those who might say that God cannot judge our unbelief because our unbelief provides the opportunity for God to forgive us and thereby show how wonderful and gracious He is. Paul simply says of those who utter such foolishness, “Their condemnation is just.” We cannot play games with God; He will judge those who reject Him. Tricks of logic cannot mask our guilt before a holy God; we are accountable to Him. No one is righteous. No one can earn salvation by good works. Religious activity cannot save anyone. The only way anyone can be saved and go to heaven is by trusting in what Jesus did on the cross to pay for our sins. God will welcome everyone who comes to Him through Christ.

—to be continued

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