Tag: Romans

The Promise

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Romans 4:13-16 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law works wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all 

‘Heir of the world’ this refers to his being a blessing to all nations of the earth. He also will literally inherit the earth along with all those blessed with him (Ps. 37:11; Mat. 5:5; 25:34; Rev. 5:10; 22:4-5).

‘Righteousness of faith’ this promise of heirship did not come through the law but by the Abrahamic covenant of faith (4:13-16; Gen. 12:1-3).

‘Is made void’ [Greek: kenoo] has been emptied (1Cor. 1:17; 9:15; 2Cor. 9:3; Php. 2:7). ‘Made of none effect’ [Greek: katargeo] to make useless; without effect; make of no effect (3:3; 4:14; Gal. 3:17; 5:4); come and bring to naught (1Cor. 1:28; 2:6); done away (1Cor. 13:10; 2Cor. 3:7, 3:11, 3:14); fail (1Cor. 13:8); cease (Gal. 6:11); vanish away (1Cor. 13:8); make void (Rom. 3:31); cumber (Luke 13:7); deliver (Rom. 7:6); loose (Rom. 7:2); put away (1Cor. 13:11); put down (1Cor. 15:24); destroy (Rom. 6:6; 1Cor. 6:13; 15:26; 2Thess. 2:8; Heb. 2:14); and abolish (2Cor. 3:13; Eph. 2:15; 2Tim. 1:10). It is clear from these passages that whatever is abolished is completely null and void. What is it here that is abolished? It is the law of commandments in decrees or the law of dogmatic commandments. The word for ordinances is dogma, translated “decree” (Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; 17:7) and “ordinance” (Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14). The law was made to expose sin (Rom. 3:19-20; 7:13; Gal. 3:19-25) and to keep the Jews a distinct people until Christ came. After that, it was no longer needed.

‘Works wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression’ No law makes provision for mercy and pardon should it be broken. It works wrath and punishment only.

‘Therefore it is of faith… the faith of Abraham’ We read in James 2:23 that Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness – a quote from Genesis 15:6 which was many years before offering Isaac as in Genesis 22:1-24. Thus, every act of obedience is an act of faith and works combined to maintain justification before God. Abraham proved his faith in God when he was asked to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice. It was faith that led him to this act of obedience (Jas. 2:23). Had he refused to obey, it would have demonstrated that he had no faith in God or His Word. It is also clear that this act of faith and works was not his initial justification by faith. That was at least 40 to 50 years before offering Isaac (Gen. 12:1-4; 15:6; Rom. 4:1-6).

‘By grace’ because of this, it can be for all people. Ephesians 2:8 states that by grace are we saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God. A simple statement of how people are resurrected spiritually from death in sins (Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 10:9-10; John 3:16; 1Jn. 1:9).

‘The promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all’ this promise of heirship (4:13) was made to everyone that has faith by grace – the same faith that Abraham had and of which he is the father of.

Abraham Justified by Faith

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Romans 4:1-8 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he has whereof to glory; but not before God. For what said the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that work not, but believe on him that justify the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputed righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 

‘What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, has found? … For what said the scripture?’ Paul here (4:1-3), after proving in Romans 3:21-31 that both Jews and Gentiles could only be saved by grace through faith, shows by examples how Abraham and David were justified. Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, was a heathen, an uncircumcised Gentile, before God pardoned him by grace through faith. He could not have been justified by obedience to the law, which was not until 430 years later (Gal. 3:17). Paul points out that Abraham was pardoned the same way the gospel saves Jews and Gentiles. Why should the Jews condemn Christianity and oppose Gentiles when they were included in the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12:1-3; 17:4)? Paul also proves that this blessing did not come through circumcision, for Abraham had it many years before he was circumcised (4:9-12; Gen. 12:1-3; 15:6; 17:1-14). If Abraham was blessed before and without circumcision, then Gentiles also could be.

‘Our father’ Jews claimed Abraham as their father (9:5; Luke 1:73; John 8:39; Acts 7:2).

‘Believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness’ before he was circumcised (Gen. 15:6).

‘Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt’ if Abraham worked for and merited justification, then it was not of grace because God owed it to him. But if he believed God for it instead of working for it, then faith was counted for righteousness and God gave it to him as a favour. Since he was called when he was a Gentile idolater and he was justified freely by faith, then all other sinners can likewise be justified (3:21-28; 5:1-11). ‘Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputed righteousness without works’ now the apostle proves his point by showing how David, a man under law, was justified by faith without the law and works (4:6-7; Ps. 32:1-2). Quoting Psalm 32:1-2 “…Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputes not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” A fourfold blessing is noted here of the blessed man: His sins are forgiven; his sins are covered; his forgiven sins are no longer imputed to him and his spirit is cleansed of guile (Ps. 15:1-5; 24:3-5).

We Establish the Law

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Romans 3:29-31 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. 

‘Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? … Do we then make void the law through faith?’ These questions are answered in Romans 3:29-31.

‘Circumcision by faith’ Colossians 2:11 talks about that we are made circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. Literally, in Him, you have been circumcised, not by cutting the flesh, but by the circumcision of Christ in putting off the body of sins of the flesh. Christ became circumcised and fulfilled all the law to become a true mediator between God and man. Now through Him, we are freed from all Mosaic Law observance and have been redeemed through the work of Christ on the cross (Col. 1:14, 20-25; 2:11-17; 1Pet. 2:24).

‘Make void’ [Greek: katargeo] to make useless; without effect; make of no effect (3:3; 4:14; Gal. 3:17; 5:4); come and bring to naught (1Cor. 1:28; 2:6); done away (1Cor. 13:10; 2Cor. 3:7, 3:11, 3:14); fail (1Cor. 13:8); cease (Gal. 6:11); vanish away (1Cor. 13:8); make void (Rom. 3:31); cumber (Luke 13:7); deliver (Rom. 7:6); loose (Rom. 7:2); put away (1Cor. 13:11); put down (1Cor. 15:24); destroy (Rom. 6:6; 1Cor. 6:13; 15:26; 2Thess. 2:8; Heb. 2:14); and abolish (2Cor. 3:13; Eph. 2:15; 2Tim. 1:10). It is clear from these passages that whatever is abolished is completely null and void. What is it here that is abolished? It is the law of commandments in decrees or the law of dogmatic commandments. The word for ordinances is dogma, translated “decree” (Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; 17:7) and “ordinance” (Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14). The law was made to expose sin (Rom. 3:19-20; 7:13; Gal. 3:19-25) and to keep the Jews a distinct people until Christ came. After that, it was no longer needed.

‘We establish the law’ Christianity establishes the law: By recognizing Christ as the subject of its rites and ceremonies (Luke 24:44; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 8-10); by Christ fulfilling it (Mat. 5:17); by Christ ending it (10:4); by fulfilling in people the righteousness that the law demanded but could not give (8:3); by including its moral and spiritual principles in the New Testament (Heb. 8:6).

We Conclude

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Romans 3:26-28 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

‘At this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus’ God is now ready to declare His readiness to impart His righteousness by faith to penitents and can now be just in justifying them by His grace (3:24-26).

‘Righteousness’ [Greek: dikaiosune] found 92 times and always translated “righteousness.” The English word is found 305 times in Scripture. It always means the doing of what is right. Fourteen facts about righteousness: Revealed in the gospel (1:17); not commended by unrighteousness (3:5); manifested apart from the law (3:21); witnessed by the law and prophets; freely given to all alike (3:22-25); imputed by faith without works or law (3:22; 4:3, 5, 13, 22). It is God’s righteousness in remitting sins through Christ (3:25; 1Jn. 1:9). It is Christ’s righteousness because He did all that was required of God to redeem people (5:18; 2Cor. 1:1-24). The medium of grace reign (5:21); a requirement of saints (6:13-20); and it produces life (8:10). The law required it, but could not give it (8:4; 9:31-32; 10:4-6); produced by the Holy Spirit (14:17). Conditions of receiving it (3:22; 4:1-5:11; 6:13-19; 8:1-10; 10:9-10).

‘Where is boasting then? … By what law? of works?’ Here (3:27-28) we have the second dialogue between Paul and the Jew. Paul has been proving from Romans 3:9 that the Jews are as guilty and condemned as the Gentiles and that both must be saved by the redemption in Christ. The Jew, finding his boasted religion of Romans 2:17-29 of no merit at all to save his soul, interrupts (as Paul anticipates) and asks, “Where does our boasting come in with such a program of salvation without works and the law? Have we no merit of our own? Do we not have anything accruing to us from our 1,700 years of circumcision and the Mosaic covenant?” Paul answers, “It is completely out-your boasting.” The Jew responds, “By what law? of works?” Paul says, “By the law of faith-you have sinned and you need forgiveness. The law of works cannot pardon. It requires obedience and only kills if transgressed. Faith alone in Christ will pardon and cancel the death penalty” (3:27-28; Eph. 2:8-9).

‘Boasting’ ten things that people boast about: bargains (Pro. 20:14); security (Pro. 27:1); religion (Rom. 2:17-29); strength (1Sam. 17:8-10); conquest (Isa. 10:8-16); gifts (Pro. 25:14); riches (Ps. 49:6); sins (Ps. 94:4); plans (Jas. 4:13-17); and power (Luke 10:17). The only boasting allowed is “in the Lord” (2Cor. 10:12-18).

‘Conclude’ to arrive at a judgement or opinion by reasoning. ‘That a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law’ to be saved through faith in Christ’s atonement and not through the Law of Moses.

Justified Freely

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Romans 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God

‘Justified freely’ this means declaring not guilty; acquittal in the court of heaven. Three things that save the soul: being washed [Greek: apolouo, from apo] away from, and louo, to wash the whole being, not a part of it. It is used in Acts 22:16 of complete washing from sins; not by baptism, but by calling upon the name of the Lord, as in Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-14. Here it is used of complete washing from the sins of 1Corinthians 6:9-10 by calling on the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:11). The Greek word louo without the preposition apo, is used of washing from all sins (Rev. 1:5); the whole feet (John 13:10); the whole body (Acts 9:37; Heb. 10:22); the whole sow (2Pet. 2:22); and all the stripes of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:33). Sanctified [Greek: hagiazo] to hallow, consecrate, separate from sin unto God (John 17:17). Note how this is put before justification (1Cor. 6:11). Justified [Greek: dikaioo] to declare righteous or not guilty; justify. It is translated “freed from sin” (Rom. 6:7); “justifier” (Rom. 3:26); “be righteous” (Rev. 22:11); and “justify” 33 times. One is justified the moment he repents and is forgiven (Luke 18:14; Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:24, 28, 30; 4:5; 5:1, 9; 1Cor. 6:11; Gal. 2:16-17; 3:8, 24; Tit. 3:5-7).

‘Grace’ the unmerited love and favour of God to man (Ps. 84:11).

‘Redemption’ [Greek: apolutrosis] to redeem by paying the price (Ex. 21:8; Gal. 3:13); a deliverance by paying a ransom (1Tim. 2:6); deliverance from the penalty of sin, including forgiveness of sin (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7, 14; 4:30; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15); and restoration of all creation from the curse (Rom. 8:23).

‘Set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood’ God has set forth, made, appointed, and published this sacrifice to be a propitiation, or covering for sin.

‘Propitiation’ this is the act of God whereby He becomes propitious or gracious to the sinner through Jesus Christ (Heb_9:5; 1Jn_2:2).

‘To declare his righteousness for the remission of sins’ Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20 and Revelation 1:5. God cannot declare any man righteous or remit one sin without faith in the atonement (Heb. 9:22; Eph. 1:7).

‘Sins that are past’ this refers to two things: Forgiveness of the sins of Old Testament saints (Rom. 3:25; Heb. 9:15). Forgiveness of past sins of each sinner that repents (Eph. 1:7; 1Jn. 1:9).

‘Forbearance of God’ [Greek: anoche] the self-restraint of God whereby He tolerates sinners and permits them to live to be saved (Rom. 2:4; 3:25; cp. Neh. 9:30).

Righteousness of God

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Romans 3:21-23 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God 

‘Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets’ Since the gospel has come and the New Testament has been made, people can be justified and made righteous without the law (Rom. 3:21-31). ‘The law and the prophets’ the name for what is known to us as the Old Testament.

‘Righteousness of God.’ Righteousness in the Bible means: The perfection of the divine nature, whereby God is most just and holy in Himself, and in all His dealings with His creatures (John 17:25). The clemency, mercy, and goodness of God (Deut. 2:25; Ps. 51:14). The faithfulness of God to His promises (Ps. 31:1; Isa. 42:6; 1 Cor. 10:12-13). “The righteousness of Christ” is the active and passive obedience of Christ, whereby He perfectly fulfilled the law, and propitiated the justice of God so that man could obey God and receive the righteousness which is by faith, and their persons be accepted of God and received to eternal glory (Dan. 9:24; Jer. 23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30). Uprightness and justice in dealing between men (Luke 1:75).  Holiness of life and conversation (1 Cor. 15:34). “The righteousness of God” is that righteousness which has been fully met and maintained in the atoning work of Christ on the cross, by which God is now able to save sinners and still be righteous in doing so (Rom. 1:17; 3:5, 21-22; 10:3). Under the law, God required righteousness from man, but the law instead of giving it to many only demonstrated that he was destitute of it and needed God’s righteousness, which He now freely gives under Grace.

‘Witnessed by the law and the prophets’ the rites and ceremonies of the law and the predictions of the prophets all testified of the great redemption in Christ that would justify people apart from both the law and the prophets (Psa. 16:8-11; Isa. 53:1-12; Luke 24:44; John 5:39; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 8:1-10:23; etc.).

‘For there is no difference’ no difference whether Jew or Gentile (Rom. 1:16; 2:7-11; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28).

‘All have sinned’ one must know and confess he is a sinner before he can be saved (Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38; 3:19; Rom. 10:9-10; 1Jn. 1:9).

The conclusion is that all have sinned (1:18-3:18, 23). All are guilty before God (3:19-20). The law cannot justify anyone (3:20). The law only condemns (3:20). God has provided redemption by faith in Jesus Christ (3:21-26). All boasting is excluded and man is helpless to save himself (3:27). People are justified only by accepting God’s plan of redemption (3:28). ‘Short of the glory of God’ this refers to original glory (Gen. 1:26-28; Psa. 8:1-9; Rev. 21-22).

The Knowledge of Sin

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Romans 3:11-20 There is none that understand, there is none that seek after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that do good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law said, it said to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

‘They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one’ This is true of all people (Isa. 53:6; Rom. 1:21-32; 3:23; 5:12-21).

‘Unprofitable’ [Greek: achreioo] to make useless. The whole mass of mankind is as a slain, putrid mass thrown together in heaps.

‘Open sepulchre’ by malicious and cutting words they kill and bury the reputation of people. As a tomb is opened and the stench of putrefaction is unbearable, so their throats spue forth poison (3:13-14).

‘Asps’ [Greek: aspis] adder (Ps. 140:3; Deut. 32:33; Job 20:14-16; Isa. 11:8).

‘No fear of God before their eyes’ the same as in Romans 1:32. Not one charge is listed here but what can be traced in case histories of both Jews and Gentiles.

‘To them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God’ For fear the Jews might think Romans 3:10-18 do not apply to them, Paul here says that they apply to all under the law that every mouth might be stopped and the whole world becomes guilty before God. ‘By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin’ even if the Jews had not broken the law, they could not be justified. The law could only condemn, not justify (3:21-31; 7:7-25).

No One Is Righteous

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Romans 3:9-10 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one 

‘What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise’ Paul states here clearly that the Jews do not have a better claim to the gospel than Gentiles. This is the last Jewish part of the dialogue of Romans 3:1-9. Paul answers that they have no more claim before God than Gentiles. The Jew has asked nine questions in this dialogue (3:1, 3, 5, 7, 9). Paul has answered them in verses 3:2, 4, 6, 8, 9.

‘Before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin’ in his last answer Paul comes back to the main subject of this section (Romans 1:18-3:20). The sum of the proof of world guilt: The 40 sins and the 20-fold apostasy of the Gentile world (1:18-32); an indictment of the self-righteous Jews who condemned the Gentiles, but were guilty of the same sins (2:1-2); impenitence of both Jews and Gentiles proved them sinners (2:3-6); the refusal of both classes in obeying the gospel (2:7-11); failure of both classes in walking in the light (knowledge of the Word) received (3:12-16); the Jews were exceedingly sinful because of their failure to live up to the law and superior advantages (2:17-29); the Jews were deeper sinners because of seeking excuses for their sinfulness contrary to the law and their own high profession of godliness (3:1-9).

‘Under sin’ sin is a real force that dominates and enslaves (5:12-21).

‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one’ this passage (3:10-18) is from several Old Testament books on the same subject. Romans 3:10-12 are from Psalms 14:2-3; 52:2-4; Ecclesiastes 7:20. Romans 3:13-18 are from Psalms 5:9-10; 10:7; 36:1-2; 140:3; Isaiah 59:7-8.

‘There is none righteous’ having stated (3:9) that he had already proved both Jews and Gentiles to be under sin, he now proceeds to clinch this argument by the Jewish Scriptures which they could not deny. ‘Righteous’ no one is righteous in himself.

Just Damnation

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Romans 3:6-8 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God has more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 

‘God forbid’ this answers the questions of Romans 3:5, that sin is not necessary to magnify God. If so, then God would be unjust Himself and could not rightly be justified in judging the world. “God forbid” is found 15 times in the New Testament (3:4, 6, 31; 6:2, 15; 7:7, 13; 9:14; 11:1, 11; Luke 20:16; 1Cor. 6:15; Gal. 2:17; 3:21; 6:14), and 9 times in the Old Testament (Gen. 44:7, 17; Jos. 22:29; 24:16; 1Sam. 12:23; 14:45; 20:2; 1Chron. 11:19; Job 27:5). Only in 1Chronicles 11:19 is it a literal translation of the original language. In all other places, it is a cultural idiom of the King James translators expressing a strong negative. Literally, may it never be.

‘For if the truth of God has more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner’ Resuming his argument (of Romans 3:5) if the truth of God is magnified through their lies, or if the faithfulness of God in showing mercy and keeping promises to their fathers is through their unfaithfulness, then why should they be condemned as sinners? Why should they be blamed for something that must contribute so much to the honour and glory of God? Paul questions the Jews way of thinking as most of them wanted to live in sin and justified this idolatry with Christ’s grace. ‘And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just’ the answer to Romans 3:7. And why do you not say, seeing you assume that sin is necessary to magnify God and His pardoning grace, that we will go along with the apostles and Christianity, for it has been reported that they teach the same doctrine of doing evil that good may come. If you believe this slanderous report of Christians, then why persecute them? Those who report such slander are liable to just damnation just as anyone today who claim that a Christian can continue in sin (1Jn. 3).

God’s Righteousness Upheld

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Romans 3:1-5 What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou might be justified in thy sayings, and might overcome when thou are judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man) 

‘What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?’ Circumcision only profited if the law was kept (3:25).

‘Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God’ This answers the questions of Romans 3:1. Being entrusted with the oracles of God and all the external advantages were not sufficient to save the soul (3:21-31; 4:1-25; 8:3-4; Gal. 3:10-14).

‘For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?’ People’s unbelief cannot undo the effects of God’s faithfulness.

‘God forbid’ this answers the questions of Romans 3:3. “God forbid” is found 15 times in the New Testament (3:4, 6, 31; 6:2, 15; 7:7, 13; 9:14; 11:1, 11; Luke 20:16; 1Cor. 6:15; Gal. 2:17; 3:21; 6:14), and 9 times in the Old Testament (Gen. 44:7, 17; Jos. 22:29; 24:16; 1Sam. 12:23; 14:45; 20:2; 1Chron. 11:19; Job 27:5). Only in 1Chronicles 11:19 is it a literal translation of the original language. In all other places, it is a cultural idiom of the King James translators expressing a strong negative. Literally, may it never be.

‘Let God be true, but every man a liar’ let no man say that God has failed in keeping His word with any man. Let man examine himself and his ways to see if he has not failed to meet conditions so God can fulfil His promise. ‘That thou might be justified in thy sayings, and might overcome when thou art judged’ quoted from Psalm 51:4.

‘Thou are judged’ when God is judged or when He judges man by man, He always comes out justified because He is faithful in all His ways (Ps. 119:86, 138; Deut. 7:9; 1Cor. 1:9; 10:13). ‘But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? … for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather … Let us do evil, that good may come? … What then? are we better than they?’ Paul states that if their sins magnify the mercy and goodness of God then, the more wicked they are the more God can be glorified. If they thus glorify God, would He not be unjust in casting them off? It is only natural for Paul to reason this way for all his countrymen are involved. Typical how most people believe today: they think because Christ has died for their sin, they can continue therein. Nothing is more further from the truth, because Christ came to set us free from the bondage of sin not to provide a way for us to keep on living in sin (1Jn. 3).