Romans 3:5

Memory Verse

But if our unrighteousness stands together with God’s righteousness, what will we say? Is God, the one bringing the wrath, unjust? I speak according to a man (Romans 3:5).

In the letter to the saints in Rome, Paul has been explaining how both the Jew and the Gentile are under sin. When the Gentile, who is not circumcised nor under law, does by nature the things related to the law, these are law unto themselves (Romans 2:14). A Jew is not saved because he is circumcised in the flesh. If a Jew transgresses the law, will not the uncircumcised who fulfills the law judge such a one? (Romans 2:27). Thus, there is no advantage in circumcision other than that the Jews first received the oracles of God (Romans 3:1).

Given this understanding, how then can one say that Paul is doing unrighteousness when what he speaks demonstrates the righteousness of God? God is just and will be justified in His words and overcome when He judges (Romans 3:4). Furthermore, Paul is speaking the truth, which is shown by how the truth of God increases among the Gentiles to a proper opinion of God (Romans 3:7).

At the same time, many will speak against the truth. Even those who say, “Let us do wrong in order that the good may come.” Their condemnation is just, for they speak a lie (Romans 3:8). Indeed, God has no part of darkness, and the unrighteousness of man will not display a proper opinion of God or the truth (1 John 1:6). The Jew is not above the Gentile. Nor will a Jew be able to manipulate his way out of judgment if he does the very things he is instructing the unlearned not to do. In the end, God is not a respecter of persons. Only the Jews who believe God will be saved; the rest will be cast out.