March 28, 2021 - Romans 3:1-4

 


Paul’s Epistle to the Romans

March 28, 2021

Opening Prayer

Psalm 119 

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
    Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Romans 3:1-4

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words,
                                                            and prevail when you are judged.” (ESV)

 What advantage did the Jews have?

-        The value of circumcision is not in the physical procedure. Paul is referring to the covenant – the relationship of God and his chosen people, the children of Abraham.

-        “Much and in every way.” He only focuses on one here – “first”.

-        They were entrusted with the oracles of God.

o   Passive / receptive

o   Oracles – wise sayings, often predictive

o   Wisdom – Psalm 119 – Law to shape our lives.

o   Promises – God’s testimonies, deeds, and oaths. Particularly regarding the Messiah / Savior.

What advantage do Christians have in today’s world?

-        Much and in every way.

-        First – 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

-        We have the Word Made Flesh Who Dwelt Among Us -  and dwells among us by His Spirit.

What if some were unfaithful? Does their unfaithfulness nullify the faithfulness of God?

-        By no means! – No way! – It cannot happen!

-        This is why our focus is best placed on God rather than ourselves.

o   Racism, Critical Race Theory, and the Gospel

o   Other gods within the church – finance, politics, people (pastors), the world (how the community views us and how that impacts our decisions).

o   God remains faithful

§  Promises forgiveness, presence, Holy Spirit, comfort, grace, resurrection, everlasting life, etc.

§  Knowing the faithfulness of God through His faithfulness to Israel.

·       Chose

·       Egyptian Slavery

·       Promised Land

·       Monarchy and Prophets

·       Apostasy and Exile

·       Exilic Faith and Return

§  “Let God be true, and all men liars.”

·       Truth … again.

“That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

-        Psalm 51:4 – “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. (ESV)

-        Translation is always the first step of interpretation.

-        ESV - … so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgement.

o   This is an excellent translation of the Hebrew text.

-        Paul quotes the Greek translation of the Psalm – which is also an excellent translation of the Hebrew text.

o   Justified in your words (same)

o   You will overcome, be victorious, prevail, in your judgement (an infinitive verb).

§  Does this mean that God is the one proclaiming judgement? I have sinned and done evil in his sight, and therefore he is clean/vindicated when judges me as a sinner.

§  Does this mean that God is the one receiving judgement? I have sinned and done evil in his sight, and therefore he is clean/vindicated when I complain that his judgement is unfair.

§  Yes?

o   Do people judge God?

o   What is the result of judging God?

Comments

Unknown said…
We should strive to obey God and His precepts and commandments, and leave all the consequences
(judgements) for Him to make. (A version of Charles Stanley's Life Principle #2)