Romans 3
Romans 3 is about law and faith, about unfaithful people and our faithful God. Paul argues about benefits of law in showing that no one is righteous showing old testament examples that righteousness is through faith and how that culminates into faith in Christ. Focus verse, the pivoting point is Romans 3:19-20: "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 God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."
Culminates in Romans 3:21-22, "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe."
A) God is faithful, true and good - condemnation for unfaithful disobedience is just
1-2) Jews benefited greatly by circumcision, entrusted with the whole revelation of God
3-4) Some unfaithful, but God is faithful even if everyone is a liar - Scriptures say "proved right, prevailing judge (Psalm 51:4)"
- "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge."
- Jesus illustrated in the prodigal son (Luke 15:21) "The son declared, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'"
5-7) human view: sin is good in showing how righteous, truthful, glorious God is, not fair to punish us
8) some slander, "let's do evil, good may result?" their condemnation is just.
- Jesus' death on the cross is good for everyone (John 1:28-29, 1 John 3:5). Only one sin left that won't be forgiven, to blaspheme/slander the Holy Spirit. Sometimes called Eternal Sin or Unforgivable/unpardonable sin.
- “I promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are. But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever.” — Mark 3:28-29 (CEV)
- in Matthew 12:31-32: “And I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Quote from https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/10/what-is-the-unforgivable-sin/ What is the unforgivable sin, and how do I know I haven’t committed it?
Blasphemy against the Spirit evidently is not just a one-time offense; rather, it is an ongoing attitude of rebellion – a stubborn way of life that continually resists rejects and insults the Holy Spirit. This is what makes it, in effect, an eternal sin (Mark 3:29). Blasphemy against the Spirit is not unforgivable because of something done unintentionally in the past, but because of something being done deliberately and unrelentingly in the present.”
B) Everyone under power of sin, law makes conscious, not righteous
9-11) Everyone under power of sin, not righteous, understanding or seeking God
12-14) All turned away, become worthless, not good, throats, tongues, mouths full of cursing bitterness
- Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20, Psalm 5:9, Psalm 140:3, Psalm 10:7
15-18) feet shed blood, ruin, misery make their ways, way of peace unknown, no fear of God
- Isaiah 59:7,8, Psalm 36:1
19-20) law shuts the mouth of people when they see they are accountable to God, brings sin into consciousness
C) Righteousness granted through faith, by grace, in Christ - not earned (Romans 3:21-26)
21-22) apart from law righteousness of God, law and prophets testify - righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
23-24) All sin, fall short of glory of God, justified freely by his grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus
25-26) God presented Christ a sacrifice of atonement, through shedding blood, received by faith - demonstrated righteousness presently - justified by faith in Jesus.
27-28) no boasting, our acquittal is not based on obeying law, made right through faith
29-31) Only one God, makes all right with him by faith. Forget the law? No! Only, when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
- Application/prayer:
Romans 3 is about law and faith, about unfaithful people and our faithful God. Paul argues about benefits of law in showing that no one is righteous showing old testament examples that righteousness is through faith and how that culminates into faith in Christ. Focus verse, the pivoting point is Romans 3:19-20: "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 God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."
Culminates in Romans 3:21-22, "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe."
A) God is faithful, true and good - condemnation for unfaithful disobedience is just
1-2) Jews benefited greatly by circumcision, entrusted with the whole revelation of God
3-4) Some unfaithful, but God is faithful even if everyone is a liar - Scriptures say "proved right, prevailing judge (Psalm 51:4)"
- "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge."
- Jesus illustrated in the prodigal son (Luke 15:21) "The son declared, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'"
5-7) human view: sin is good in showing how righteous, truthful, glorious God is, not fair to punish us
8) some slander, "let's do evil, good may result?" their condemnation is just.
- Jesus' death on the cross is good for everyone (John 1:28-29, 1 John 3:5). Only one sin left that won't be forgiven, to blaspheme/slander the Holy Spirit. Sometimes called Eternal Sin or Unforgivable/unpardonable sin.
- “I promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are. But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever.” — Mark 3:28-29 (CEV)
- in Matthew 12:31-32: “And I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Quote from https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/10/what-is-the-unforgivable-sin/ What is the unforgivable sin, and how do I know I haven’t committed it?
Blasphemy against the Spirit evidently is not just a one-time offense; rather, it is an ongoing attitude of rebellion – a stubborn way of life that continually resists rejects and insults the Holy Spirit. This is what makes it, in effect, an eternal sin (Mark 3:29). Blasphemy against the Spirit is not unforgivable because of something done unintentionally in the past, but because of something being done deliberately and unrelentingly in the present.”
B) Everyone under power of sin, law makes conscious, not righteous
9-11) Everyone under power of sin, not righteous, understanding or seeking God
12-14) All turned away, become worthless, not good, throats, tongues, mouths full of cursing bitterness
- Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20, Psalm 5:9, Psalm 140:3, Psalm 10:7
15-18) feet shed blood, ruin, misery make their ways, way of peace unknown, no fear of God
- Isaiah 59:7,8, Psalm 36:1
19-20) law shuts the mouth of people when they see they are accountable to God, brings sin into consciousness
C) Righteousness granted through faith, by grace, in Christ - not earned (Romans 3:21-26)
21-22) apart from law righteousness of God, law and prophets testify - righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
23-24) All sin, fall short of glory of God, justified freely by his grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus
25-26) God presented Christ a sacrifice of atonement, through shedding blood, received by faith - demonstrated righteousness presently - justified by faith in Jesus.
27-28) no boasting, our acquittal is not based on obeying law, made right through faith
29-31) Only one God, makes all right with him by faith. Forget the law? No! Only, when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
- Application/prayer: