1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.” 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
Commentary
Vs. 1-4 Having shown that God is not any more partial to the Jewish person than towards the Gentile, simply because they are Jewish and are circumcised (consider Acts 10:34-35). The Apostle Paul now answers a persons possible response to this: "What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?" vs. 1 To which the Apostle responds in verse two by saying : "Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God." That is the very words of God were given too and through the Jews. Indeed Christ Himself came in the fulfillment of them through Jewish/Gentile pedigree. And so being chosen by God to bring forth His Word and Revelation into the world inherently brings with it great honor and prestige as the Apostle Paul also states in Rom 9:3-5 of Israel being chosen, chosen here to believe, to obey, and to deliver God's Word for all of humanity. Too even bear a "cachet" from God if you will, in their circumcision. And so in being a Jew there is exceedingly great honor. Yet honor bestowed upon one is not necessarily honor received. For though God first choose the Jews for this exceedingly significant and extremely important purpose in His redemption plans for all of humanity, because Abraham believed and obeyed Him. Yet the Jews history as a people, from the time of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, right up until the Lord Jesus Christ's crucifixion (and even now), has largely been one of a collective disobedience and unbelief. And so though God longs to fulfill all His promises towards them, He cannot complete the honoring of them, until they first believe and obey Him according to His Word (consider Matt 24:37-39). Now this may seem to imply that God's Sovereignty over all things can somehow be thwarted by humanities free-will, whether this be the Jews or the Gentiles free-will. To which we find am answer to in the Apostle Paul's response in verses three and four when he says: 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
And so though there is at this time a collective unbelief amongst the Jews about the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, God can and will fulfill all of His promises regarding them, as well as the Gentiles. How this will all play out I cannot exactly say, yet we have some very definitive views of God's works towards Israel, as well as their assured future in the Scripture (see Isaiah 2; 4:2-6; 11:1-12:6; 24:21-23; 25:1-27:13; 28:16-29; 29:17-24; 30:18-26; 32:1-8, 16-20; 33:17-24; 35:1-10; 40:1-41:20; 42:1-45:25; 46:1-13; 48:1-56:8; 57:1-66:24; Zechariah 8:20-22 etc.) And so God will in the fulfillment of His Word bring about Israel's collective repentance and faith, and thus restoration (consider Zechariah 12:10-14) at the right time, just as He has appointed it for them. Therefore the Jews unbelief at this time will in no way thwart God's Word, nor His plans for them or the rest of humanity. At the right time God will cause worldly events and human hearts to move in such a way so as to bring about the complete fulfillment of all His Word. Thus God's faithfulness to keep His Promises in His Written Word is something that everyone who believes in Him can hope in and bank on. As the Apostle Paul declares here: "let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
Now the Apostle Paul is quoting here from King David's own confession and repentance about his own sin (see Psalm 51:4) to make a Scriptural point about God's faithfulness, not mans. For not until the individual, whether they are a Jew or Gentile sees themselves, and their own sin in the light of God's Word, does the Gospel become the imminent and only remedy for them. For it is God alone who is Faithful, Just and True. Our sins and transgressions only bear greater witness to that fact. Therefore any other perspective of God, or oneself, is inherently evil, because it does not seek to justify God who alone is Everlastingly Holy, Faithful, Just and True. But mankind who is both individually and collectively not only born into sin, but also we exemplify this dreadful condition throughout our lives, being full of all manner of evil desires, self-deceptions, and folly.
Vs. 5-8 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
The Apostle Paul now addresses a possible response to the fact that our sins and transgressions only bear a greater witness to God's own Righteousness and Truth. A response that would go something like this: "well if that is so how then can God be angry at us for having sinned?" To which the Apostle Paul, before it is even asked refutes, by asking, then answering his own question, saying: ..."Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?" vs. 5-6
And so though mankind's sins make manifest the righteousness of God more clearly. God is not unjust when He inflicts, (i.e. causes the sinner to experience) His Holy wrath either in this life, or in eternity. For if God did not judge sin then God would be totally unjust and unrighteous, which He is not. And so though mankind's sins only make manifest the righteous of God, that is His Righteousness of Person and Character when He in His Righteousness judges unrighteousness and sin. God does not desire sin from anyone one of us. Indeed God's greatest desire is that His Righteousness be clearly manifest to one and to all through the cross of the Lord of the Lord Jesus Christ, by which He has addressed the sin problem (the number one issue facing humanity) and extended His mercy to one and to all who believe. Which the Apostle Paul will reveal more about later. But for now we must stay focused on the present context. And so the Apostle Paul having addressed the possible response to the Righteousness of God being made more manifest through our sins. Now addresses the Truth of God, and thus the possible response to God's Truth being made more manifest through our falsehood. This Paul does in verses seven and eight. 7 Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result?" Their condemnation is just!
The hypothetical question Paul asks here, playing the role of both questioner and responder is addressing the foolishly reasoned notion that since ones falsehood, in a paradoxical way, actually makes manifest the truthfulness of God, then God should not still judge them as a sinner. Indeed some of these folks even went so far as too totally distort what the Apostle Paul was preaching and teaching through the Gospel by saying that Paul, because of this fact, was actually telling people to do evil that good may come! The idea of which was so blasphemous against God, and slanderous towards Paul, that Paul's only response was to say of them: "their condemnation is just." For the Gospel of grace of God is not a license to sin, it is the Spirit given power of God within us who believe in Jesus not to sin. That is not to live according to the lusts of the flesh (see Gal 5:16-25). Thus the Gospel is not a mere religious Law (though their are commandments within it). It is first and foremost the Message of God's Redeeming Love and Grace for every sinner who sees their own sin, and thus their helpless before the wrath of God because of it, and thus does as God commands, looks to the Lord Jesus Christ crucified in their place (John 3:15-16). For when anyone does, God accepts that faith as the sole basis for His saving them from His everlasting wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness and wickedness within them. Therefore the Gospel commands first and foremost that we all trust in the Lord Jesus Christ crucified in our place for our eternal salvation from sin and death. For when we do God not only accepts us (as we are), He by His Holy Spirit comes into us, bringing us to Spirit life and uniting us in Spirit with Christ, and so He transforms us from within. I hope that today if you have not already opened your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ that you will seize this moment of understanding and let God seize you! That is that you will simply say yes Lord Jesus Christ I believe in You, and want You to come into my heart and life that I might be One with You. Complete, Whole, and True, simple because of You.
Scripture Citations
Commentary
Vs. 1-4 Having shown that God is not any more partial to the Jewish person than towards the Gentile, simply because they are Jewish and are circumcised (consider Acts 10:34-35). The Apostle Paul now answers a persons possible response to this: "What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?" vs. 1 To which the Apostle responds in verse two by saying : "Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God." That is the very words of God were given too and through the Jews. Indeed Christ Himself came in the fulfillment of them through Jewish/Gentile pedigree. And so being chosen by God to bring forth His Word and Revelation into the world inherently brings with it great honor and prestige as the Apostle Paul also states in Rom 9:3-5 of Israel being chosen, chosen here to believe, to obey, and to deliver God's Word for all of humanity. Too even bear a "cachet" from God if you will, in their circumcision. And so in being a Jew there is exceedingly great honor. Yet honor bestowed upon one is not necessarily honor received. For though God first choose the Jews for this exceedingly significant and extremely important purpose in His redemption plans for all of humanity, because Abraham believed and obeyed Him. Yet the Jews history as a people, from the time of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, right up until the Lord Jesus Christ's crucifixion (and even now), has largely been one of a collective disobedience and unbelief. And so though God longs to fulfill all His promises towards them, He cannot complete the honoring of them, until they first believe and obey Him according to His Word (consider Matt 24:37-39). Now this may seem to imply that God's Sovereignty over all things can somehow be thwarted by humanities free-will, whether this be the Jews or the Gentiles free-will. To which we find am answer to in the Apostle Paul's response in verses three and four when he says: 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
And so though there is at this time a collective unbelief amongst the Jews about the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, God can and will fulfill all of His promises regarding them, as well as the Gentiles. How this will all play out I cannot exactly say, yet we have some very definitive views of God's works towards Israel, as well as their assured future in the Scripture (see Isaiah 2; 4:2-6; 11:1-12:6; 24:21-23; 25:1-27:13; 28:16-29; 29:17-24; 30:18-26; 32:1-8, 16-20; 33:17-24; 35:1-10; 40:1-41:20; 42:1-45:25; 46:1-13; 48:1-56:8; 57:1-66:24; Zechariah 8:20-22 etc.) And so God will in the fulfillment of His Word bring about Israel's collective repentance and faith, and thus restoration (consider Zechariah 12:10-14) at the right time, just as He has appointed it for them. Therefore the Jews unbelief at this time will in no way thwart God's Word, nor His plans for them or the rest of humanity. At the right time God will cause worldly events and human hearts to move in such a way so as to bring about the complete fulfillment of all His Word. Thus God's faithfulness to keep His Promises in His Written Word is something that everyone who believes in Him can hope in and bank on. As the Apostle Paul declares here: "let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
Now the Apostle Paul is quoting here from King David's own confession and repentance about his own sin (see Psalm 51:4) to make a Scriptural point about God's faithfulness, not mans. For not until the individual, whether they are a Jew or Gentile sees themselves, and their own sin in the light of God's Word, does the Gospel become the imminent and only remedy for them. For it is God alone who is Faithful, Just and True. Our sins and transgressions only bear greater witness to that fact. Therefore any other perspective of God, or oneself, is inherently evil, because it does not seek to justify God who alone is Everlastingly Holy, Faithful, Just and True. But mankind who is both individually and collectively not only born into sin, but also we exemplify this dreadful condition throughout our lives, being full of all manner of evil desires, self-deceptions, and folly.
Vs. 5-8 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
The Apostle Paul now addresses a possible response to the fact that our sins and transgressions only bear a greater witness to God's own Righteousness and Truth. A response that would go something like this: "well if that is so how then can God be angry at us for having sinned?" To which the Apostle Paul, before it is even asked refutes, by asking, then answering his own question, saying: ..."Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?" vs. 5-6
And so though mankind's sins make manifest the righteousness of God more clearly. God is not unjust when He inflicts, (i.e. causes the sinner to experience) His Holy wrath either in this life, or in eternity. For if God did not judge sin then God would be totally unjust and unrighteous, which He is not. And so though mankind's sins only make manifest the righteous of God, that is His Righteousness of Person and Character when He in His Righteousness judges unrighteousness and sin. God does not desire sin from anyone one of us. Indeed God's greatest desire is that His Righteousness be clearly manifest to one and to all through the cross of the Lord of the Lord Jesus Christ, by which He has addressed the sin problem (the number one issue facing humanity) and extended His mercy to one and to all who believe. Which the Apostle Paul will reveal more about later. But for now we must stay focused on the present context. And so the Apostle Paul having addressed the possible response to the Righteousness of God being made more manifest through our sins. Now addresses the Truth of God, and thus the possible response to God's Truth being made more manifest through our falsehood. This Paul does in verses seven and eight. 7 Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result?" Their condemnation is just!
The hypothetical question Paul asks here, playing the role of both questioner and responder is addressing the foolishly reasoned notion that since ones falsehood, in a paradoxical way, actually makes manifest the truthfulness of God, then God should not still judge them as a sinner. Indeed some of these folks even went so far as too totally distort what the Apostle Paul was preaching and teaching through the Gospel by saying that Paul, because of this fact, was actually telling people to do evil that good may come! The idea of which was so blasphemous against God, and slanderous towards Paul, that Paul's only response was to say of them: "their condemnation is just." For the Gospel of grace of God is not a license to sin, it is the Spirit given power of God within us who believe in Jesus not to sin. That is not to live according to the lusts of the flesh (see Gal 5:16-25). Thus the Gospel is not a mere religious Law (though their are commandments within it). It is first and foremost the Message of God's Redeeming Love and Grace for every sinner who sees their own sin, and thus their helpless before the wrath of God because of it, and thus does as God commands, looks to the Lord Jesus Christ crucified in their place (John 3:15-16). For when anyone does, God accepts that faith as the sole basis for His saving them from His everlasting wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness and wickedness within them. Therefore the Gospel commands first and foremost that we all trust in the Lord Jesus Christ crucified in our place for our eternal salvation from sin and death. For when we do God not only accepts us (as we are), He by His Holy Spirit comes into us, bringing us to Spirit life and uniting us in Spirit with Christ, and so He transforms us from within. I hope that today if you have not already opened your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ that you will seize this moment of understanding and let God seize you! That is that you will simply say yes Lord Jesus Christ I believe in You, and want You to come into my heart and life that I might be One with You. Complete, Whole, and True, simple because of You.
Scripture Citations
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