Romans 3 (Thoughts and Notes)
“First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.”
Paul was showing that we (All the nations of the world) that have placed their hope in Jesus as their Lord and Savior ought to remember that we have obtained this grace through the unvailing of God’s words to the Jews. The Jews were given the privilege of having the oracles of God given to them, so that they would give them to the world. This all stems from the unconditional covenant the God made with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-2.
“Let God be true, and every man a liar.”
Not one person in the world can say that “he” is without sin! This is why God will prove every man to be a liar if they claim to have no sin.
“Their condemnation is deserved.”
There comes a place in the life of every human being whether or not they will place their hope and trust in Jesus. In doing so, there should be a gradual change in how we think, believe and behave. To continue in sin and think that this will make God look good because He will show His amazing grace is absurd. This is why Paul clearly states that there are people who condemn them self by such futile and foolish talk.
“We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.”
No one in the world is without fault.
"Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
This verse speaks of people who reject the grace of God thinking that they can maintain a salvation apart from Jesus. In their own righteousness they think they have merit before a holy and just God because they believe that can be obtained through the law. No man apart from faith can honor both the law and God. Because no one seeks God or has been righteous in His sight (apart from Jesus) this is the path they take; the one that leads to ruin and misery. They do not have the slightest idea of what it means to be in peace with God and with themselves. Not only do they not know the way of peace, they reject God! In the eyes of those who seek not the Lord, they show that they have no respect for who He is.
“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
God holds every man accountable and this is done through the law. The law is a teacher that does two things: Points to Jesus as our payment for sin and shows us our faults and need for this payment. The law in itself is good, but sin uses the law to condemn us.
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
God declares “man” righteous through faith, there is no other way. This was the mystery that has longed plagued the earth.
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
Self explanatory.
“First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.”
Paul was showing that we (All the nations of the world) that have placed their hope in Jesus as their Lord and Savior ought to remember that we have obtained this grace through the unvailing of God’s words to the Jews. The Jews were given the privilege of having the oracles of God given to them, so that they would give them to the world. This all stems from the unconditional covenant the God made with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-2.
“Let God be true, and every man a liar.”
Not one person in the world can say that “he” is without sin! This is why God will prove every man to be a liar if they claim to have no sin.
“Their condemnation is deserved.”
There comes a place in the life of every human being whether or not they will place their hope and trust in Jesus. In doing so, there should be a gradual change in how we think, believe and behave. To continue in sin and think that this will make God look good because He will show His amazing grace is absurd. This is why Paul clearly states that there are people who condemn them self by such futile and foolish talk.
“We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.”
No one in the world is without fault.
"Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
This verse speaks of people who reject the grace of God thinking that they can maintain a salvation apart from Jesus. In their own righteousness they think they have merit before a holy and just God because they believe that can be obtained through the law. No man apart from faith can honor both the law and God. Because no one seeks God or has been righteous in His sight (apart from Jesus) this is the path they take; the one that leads to ruin and misery. They do not have the slightest idea of what it means to be in peace with God and with themselves. Not only do they not know the way of peace, they reject God! In the eyes of those who seek not the Lord, they show that they have no respect for who He is.
“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
God holds every man accountable and this is done through the law. The law is a teacher that does two things: Points to Jesus as our payment for sin and shows us our faults and need for this payment. The law in itself is good, but sin uses the law to condemn us.
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
God declares “man” righteous through faith, there is no other way. This was the mystery that has longed plagued the earth.
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
Self explanatory.
