3:1-8

(1) What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

M- Through the previous sections, Paul has pointed out that while the Jews are privileged people, they will be judged just like everyone else (if not even more because they knew more.) Paul presents a question that may have been going through the minds of the Jewish readers. Is there any advantage to the Jewish people.

(2) Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God

M –Paul says the big thing that the Jews were blessed with, is that they really did receive the words of God through Moses, the Prophets, and the other OT writers. But, as Paul explained earlier, this privilege didn’t mean they wouldn’t be judged on their actions like everyone else.

A –It is an advantage to have the words of God. Many people own bibles and don’t realize the advantage they have. But the true advantage is for the people who actually read God’s words and obey them.

(3) For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

M- Some might point out, that while the Jews did have the words of God (oracles), most of them did not believe them. Will that spoil all the promises in the words that were given to them?

(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.’

M –No, God’s word will be kept whether people believe them or not…the good ones and the bad ones. God is always true in what He says…it is men that are the liars. The quote is from psalm 51:4, this is the psalm where David is repenting from his sin with Bathsheba. He says it about God, and apparently means that He is agreeing with God’s judgment that He was in the wrong.

A –God is always right when He judges, and our lack of belief doesn’t change who He is.

(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.)

M –Some might say, ‘If our unfaithfulness makes it apparent God is faithful, isn’t that a good thing? And should we be receive wrath for something that produced a good result?

(6) Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

M- The answer is, NO. God is not unjust even if our unrighteous brought Him glory. God can bring himself glory out of our wicked actions, but that doesn’t our actions not evil. God will judge justice, even though He can use wicked men’s plans to still accomplish His purpose.

A- God will judge people based on the rightness or wrongness of their actions, not on the outcome. He can always make the outcome work for His plan because He’s God. The end doesn’t justify the means. You cannot rob a bank because you want to give to the poor.

(7) For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

M –The train of thought continues. If our falsehood makes God’s truth stand out more and therefore brings Him glory, should we be judged wrong in the matter? Again, of course we should, we will be judged on our actions, not on what God can make of them.

(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.

M –Apparently some had even accused some Christians falsely of encouraging evil that good may come. Paul says their condemnation is right.

A –Even though Christianity is based in grace, it doesn’t excuse or encourage wrongdoing, but points to forgiveness that can be found for it. Some Christians may look at sins in their past and see how God brought good out of them and might be tempted to call those things good since God used them. But we cannot do this. Yes, God has brought good out of it, but it still would have been better to obey…God will always accomplish His goal.