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ROMANS AT A GLANCE ROMANS AT A GLANCE A Study of the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans A Study of the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 3
ROMANS AT A GLANCEROMANS AT A GLANCEA Study of the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the RomansA Study of the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans
CHAPTER 3CHAPTER 3
JEWISH OBJECTIONSJEWISH OBJECTIONSRomans 3:3-4Romans 3:3-4
JEL–ROM 3-1
The Jews:The Jews: "God has promised blessings to us Jews. Now if "God has promised blessings to us Jews. Now if some don't receive those blessings because of unbelief, some don't receive those blessings because of unbelief, doesn't that mean God has broken His promise and is doesn't that mean God has broken His promise and is unjust?” (Rom 3:3)unjust?” (Rom 3:3)
Paul:Paul: “Not at all! God is always just even if every man is “Not at all! God is always just even if every man is unrighteous. As a matter of fact, there is a sense in which unrighteous. As a matter of fact, there is a sense in which the unrighteousness of man serves to establish or bring the unrighteousness of man serves to establish or bring into focus the righteousness of God.” (Rom 3:4, Ps 51:4)into focus the righteousness of God.” (Rom 3:4, Ps 51:4)
OBJECTION 1OBJECTION 1
JEWISH OBJECTIONSJEWISH OBJECTIONS
Romans 3:5-6Romans 3:5-6
JEL–ROM 3-2
The Jews:The Jews: "But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the "But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, wouldn't He be unjust to punish us righteousness of God, wouldn't He be unjust to punish us for our sins? Wouldn't He be unfair to condemn us for our for our sins? Wouldn't He be unfair to condemn us for our sins when we, by our sin, show God to be just.” (Rom 3:5)sins when we, by our sin, show God to be just.” (Rom 3:5)
Paul:Paul: “Of course not! If that were true then God could not “Of course not! If that were true then God could not judge anyone, or condemn anyone of sin.” (Rom 3:6)judge anyone, or condemn anyone of sin.” (Rom 3:6)
OBJECTION 2OBJECTION 2
JEWISH OBJECTIONSJEWISH OBJECTIONSRomans 3:7-8Romans 3:7-8
JEL–ROM 3-3
The Jews:The Jews: "If good things come as a result of my sins (e.g., "If good things come as a result of my sins (e.g., God's justice, mercy, and grace are revealed), then why God's justice, mercy, and grace are revealed), then why am I criticized and condemned for my sins. Instead, I am I criticized and condemned for my sins. Instead, I ought to be praised! Indeed, even as you have proposed, ought to be praised! Indeed, even as you have proposed, Paul, I ought to sin more that more good may come.” Paul, I ought to sin more that more good may come.” (Rom 3:7)(Rom 3:7)
Paul:Paul: “I never said any such thing! The condemnation of “I never said any such thing! The condemnation of those who slander me is just!” (Rom 3:8)those who slander me is just!” (Rom 3:8)
OBJECTION 3OBJECTION 3
JEWISH OBJECTIONSJEWISH OBJECTIONS
Romans 3:9-18Romans 3:9-18
JEL–ROM 3-4
The Jews:The Jews: "Paul, if we do have some advantages as a result "Paul, if we do have some advantages as a result of being God's chosen people, are we better off than the of being God's chosen people, are we better off than the Gentiles?” (Rom 3:9)Gentiles?” (Rom 3:9)
Paul:Paul: “Not at all. I have already said plainly that you Jews “Not at all. I have already said plainly that you Jews are under the condemnation of sin just like the Gentiles. are under the condemnation of sin just like the Gentiles. Even your own prophets have said that the Jews are under Even your own prophets have said that the Jews are under the condemnation of sin.” (Rom 3:10-18)the condemnation of sin.” (Rom 3:10-18)
OBJECTION 4OBJECTION 4
THE FINAL WORD ONTHE FINAL WORD ONJEWISH JEWISH
SINFULNESSSINFULNESSWhat did the law say?What did the law say? “ “There is none righteous, no There is none righteous, no
not one . . .” (Rom 3:10-18)not one . . .” (Rom 3:10-18)
To whom does it say this?To whom does it say this? ““. . . to those that under the . . . to those that under the law . . . ”; that is, law . . . ”; that is, the Jewsthe Jews (Rom 3:19)(Rom 3:19)
What is the result?What is the result? The Jews' boasting mouthsThe Jews' boasting mouthsare shut up and they are are shut up and they are shown to be guilty beforeshown to be guilty beforeGod. (Rom 3:19)God. (Rom 3:19)
JEL–ROM 3-5
Romans 3:10-19Romans 3:10-19
The establishment of a person as just by acquittal The establishment of a person as just by acquittal from guiltfrom guilt
To judge, regard, or treat a person as righteous To judge, regard, or treat a person as righteous and worthy of salvationand worthy of salvation
The legal and formal acquittal from guilt by God; The legal and formal acquittal from guilt by God; the pronouncement of the sinner as righteous the pronouncement of the sinner as righteous
Romans 3:20Romans 3:20
JEL–ROM 3-6
JUSTIFICATIONJUSTIFICATION
JEL–ROM 3-7
Romans 3:20Romans 3:20
WHAT IS LAW?WHAT IS LAW?Law is the expressed andLaw is the expressed and
binding will of Godbinding will of God
THE JEWS' PROBLEMTHE JEWS' PROBLEMWITH LAWWITH LAW
1. They did not want to admit that they had violated law 1. They did not want to admit that they had violated law (Rom 2:17-3:20) (Rom 2:17-3:20)
2. They sought justification by works of law (Rom 9:31-32)2. They sought justification by works of law (Rom 9:31-32)
3. They 'stumbled' at the thought of a crucified Christ 3. They 'stumbled' at the thought of a crucified Christ (Rom 9:32-33; 1Cor 1:23)(Rom 9:32-33; 1Cor 1:23)
Romans 3:20Romans 3:20
JEL–ROM 3-8
LAWLAWKNOWS ONLY ONE DEMAND . . .KNOWS ONLY ONE DEMAND . . .
FLAWLESS OBEDIENCE FLAWLESS OBEDIENCE Gal 3:10 “. . . cursed is every one who does not abide by Gal 3:10 “. . . cursed is every one who does not abide by all all
thingsthings which are written in the . . . law . . .” which are written in the . . . law . . .”
Gal 5:3 “ . . . every man who receives circumcision . . . is Gal 5:3 “ . . . every man who receives circumcision . . . is obligated to keep obligated to keep the whole lawthe whole law.”.”
Jam 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles Jam 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in in one pointone point, he has become guilty of all.”, he has become guilty of all.”
Romans 3:20Romans 3:20
JEL–ROM 3-9
MAN DOES NOT KEEP MAN DOES NOT KEEP THE LAW FLAWLESSLYTHE LAW FLAWLESSLY
Romans 3:20Romans 3:20
JEL–ROM 3-10
Rom 3:9 “ . . . Both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.”Rom 3:9 “ . . . Both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.”
Rom 3:10 “. . .There is none righteous, not even one.”Rom 3:10 “. . .There is none righteous, not even one.”
Rom 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”Rom 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE REAL PURPOSE OF LAWLAW
Romans 3:20Romans 3:20
JEL–ROM 3-11
1. TO IDENTIFY SIN AND TO MAKE US KNOW THAT WE ARE SINNERS1. TO IDENTIFY SIN AND TO MAKE US KNOW THAT WE ARE SINNERS
Rom 3:20 “ . . . through the law comes the knowledge of sin.”Rom 3:20 “ . . . through the law comes the knowledge of sin.” Rom 7:7 “. . . I would not have come to know sin except through the Rom 7:7 “. . . I would not have come to know sin except through the
law; for I would not have known about coveting, if the law had not law; for I would not have known about coveting, if the law had not said, ‘You shalt not covet.’”said, ‘You shalt not covet.’”
Rom 7:13 “. . . it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by Rom 7:13 “. . . it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good [i.e. the law], that effecting my death through that which is good [i.e. the law], that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.”through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.”
Rom 5:20 “And the law came in that the transgression might Rom 5:20 “And the law came in that the transgression might increase.”increase.”
THE REAL PURPOSE OF LAWTHE REAL PURPOSE OF LAWContinuedContinued
2. TO INDUCE US TO TURN TO CHRIST FOR SALVATION
“ “ But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe . . . by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe . . . Therefore the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that Therefore the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.” (Gal 3:22, 24)we may be justified by faith.” (Gal 3:22, 24)
Romans 3:20Romans 3:20
JEL–ROM 3-12
3. NOT TO RELIEVE MAN OF GUILT OR THE PENALTY FOR SIN
“ “ . . . by the works of law no flesh will be justified in His sight; . . . by the works of law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Rom 3:20)for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Rom 3:20)
GOD PROVIDES A BETTER WAYGOD PROVIDES A BETTER WAYWE CAN NEVER BE JUSTIFIED THROUGH WORKS OF LAWWE CAN NEVER BE JUSTIFIED THROUGH WORKS OF LAW
• • We're not good enoughWe're not good enough• • Law was never intended for this purposeLaw was never intended for this purpose
GOD HAS PROVIDED ANOTHER WAY FOR US TO BE JUSTIFIEDGOD HAS PROVIDED ANOTHER WAY FOR US TO BE JUSTIFIED• • Does not depend on our keeping the law flawlesslyDoes not depend on our keeping the law flawlessly• • Justification is given as a free gift to those who believe in Justification is given as a free gift to those who believe in
Jesus ChristJesus Christ
BUTBUT
Romans 3:19-31Romans 3:19-31
JEL–ROM 3-13
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GODGOD
Romans 3:21-25Romans 3:21-25
1. 1. Has Has nownow been revealed (3:21) been revealed (3:21)2.2. Is “apart from the law” (3:21)Is “apart from the law” (3:21)3. 3. Was “witnessed by the law and the prophets” (3:21)Was “witnessed by the law and the prophets” (3:21)4. 4. Is “of God” (3:22)Is “of God” (3:22)5. 5. Is “through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:22)Is “through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:22)6. 6. Is for “Is for “allall those who believe” (3:22) those who believe” (3:22)7. 7. Is a free gift (3:24)Is a free gift (3:24)8. 8. Is by God's grace (3:24)Is by God's grace (3:24)9. 9. Is “through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (3:24)Is “through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (3:24)10. Is made possible through the propitiatory sacrifice of 10. Is made possible through the propitiatory sacrifice of
Christ; the shedding of His blood (3:25)Christ; the shedding of His blood (3:25)
JEL–ROM 3-14
GOD IS JUSTGOD IS JUSTAND THE JUSTIFIER . . . AND THE JUSTIFIER . . .
JEL–ROM 3-15
How can God be true to His own nature of fairness and justiceHow can God be true to His own nature of fairness and justiceif He allows those who are guilty of sin to escape punishment?if He allows those who are guilty of sin to escape punishment?
Romans 3:24-26Romans 3:24-26
God sent Christ to pay the God sent Christ to pay the penalty for us who could penalty for us who could not pay the price not pay the price ourselves. Christ ourselves. Christ appeased the demands of appeased the demands of the law for punishment by the law for punishment by giving His own life on the giving His own life on the cross. He bought us back cross. He bought us back from the sentence of from the sentence of death with His blood. In death with His blood. In this way, the mercy of this way, the mercy of God was demonstrated God was demonstrated along with His justice.along with His justice.
GOD IS JUSTGOD IS JUST(He cannot ignore sin(He cannot ignore sin
but must exact the full penaltybut must exact the full penaltyfor violations of law)for violations of law)
GOD IS MERCIFULGOD IS MERCIFUL (He justifies sinners; that is, He(He justifies sinners; that is, He
acquits men of their sins and regardsacquits men of their sins and regardsthem as innocent)them as innocent)
THE SYSTEM OF FAITH VS.THE SYSTEM OF FAITH VS.THE SYSTEM OF WORKSTHE SYSTEM OF WORKS
JEL–ROM 3-16
SYSTEM OF LAWSYSTEM OF LAW
•• Perfect law-keeping required Perfect law-keeping required (2:13; Gal 3:10)(2:13; Gal 3:10)
•• Salvation by meritorious Salvation by meritorious works (4:1-5)works (4:1-5)
•• Allows for boasting (4:2-4)Allows for boasting (4:2-4)
•• No forgiveness No forgiveness
•• No one can be saved (3:20)No one can be saved (3:20)
SYSTEM OF FAITHSYSTEM OF FAITH
•• Active faith required Active faith required
•• Salvation by grace through Salvation by grace through ChristChrist
•• Boasting excluded (3:27)Boasting excluded (3:27)
•• Forgiveness for imperfectionsForgiveness for imperfections
•• Both Jews and Gentiles can be Both Jews and Gentiles can be savedsaved
SUMMARYSUMMARYRomans Chapters 1 through 3Romans Chapters 1 through 3 All men are under lawAll men are under law But they do not live consistent with that lawBut they do not live consistent with that law It is not possible for them to be justified by lawIt is not possible for them to be justified by law So they stand inexcusable and condemned before GodSo they stand inexcusable and condemned before God But God has revealed a plan for justifying man, not on the But God has revealed a plan for justifying man, not on the
basis of law-keeping, but on the basis of faith in Jesus Christbasis of law-keeping, but on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ This justification is available to all who will believe on JesusThis justification is available to all who will believe on Jesus It is possible because Christ paid the penalty for us and It is possible because Christ paid the penalty for us and
redeemed us with His bloodredeemed us with His blood This arrangement allows God to be both just and mercifulThis arrangement allows God to be both just and merciful
JEL–ROM 3-17
