Romans 3:1-20

3. The Scriptural Proof of the Guilt of the Jews.

This section forms the conclusion of the first part: ‘Every one needs this power unto salvation.' While in general it may be regarded as presenting the Scriptural proof that the Jews are guilty, the train of thought is so involved, that it is rightly deemed one of the most difficult passages in the Epistle. The connection with chap. 2 is obvious: If true Judaism and circumcision are as thus represented (chap. Romans 2:28-29), what is the advantage of the Jew? etc. The positive advantage is the possession of the Scriptures; Romans 3:2. But the Apostle digresses to consider several misconceptions which may arise in view of this privilege of the Jew taken in connection with his guilt; Romans 3:3-8. The form is not strictly that of a dialogue between a Jewish objector and the Apostle, but the misconceptions are from a Jewish (or Jewish Christian) point of view. The want of faith on the part of some Jews cannot annul God's faithfulness, for God must be true (Romans 3:3-4); if God's righteousness seems to be furthered by sin, God is not unjust in punishing it (Romans 3:5-6); for this amounts to the abhorrent principle that it is right to do evil that good may come (Romans 3:7-8). The main thought is thus resumed in Romans 3:9, which restates the charge of sin against all men (set forth in chaps, 1, 2). The Apostle, then, by abundant Scriptural citation (Romans 3:10-18), shows God's estimate of human character, and he applies this estimate to the Jews especially (Romans 3:19), reaching in Romans 3:20 the great principle which must be accepted before the need of the gospel is felt.