Romans Lesson Page

Romans Chapter 3:1-20

Memory verses for this week: John 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.. 

Introduction:     Last week, we saw in chapter two that no one will escape the judgment of God.   We that encourage others and condemn sin must be careful to not commit those sins ourselves.  God’s eyes are open to all things that go on, and we must all one day answer to Him. 

I.                    Paul Answers Objections 

Rom 3:1  What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Rom 3:2  Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 

There are two separate questions in verse one.  The first asking what advantage does the Jew have over the Gentile, and the second asks what value is there in circumcision.   In verse 2, Paul responds and says that being a Jew was a great blessing because they had the oracles of God committed unto them.   They were set aside to be the people of God, but unfortunately, they turned from God’s ways to serve the commandments of men.   

Rom 3:3  For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

Rom 3:4  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

 More questions are asked by Paul in verse 4.   If some did not believe the report of Christ, did their unbelief discredit or somehow void what Christ did for us on Calvary.  Absolutely not.   Men may deny Christ, but He is the true and Just One, and Paul makes it vividly clear.   “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.   We know the bible makes it clear that God is totally righteous and never lies.   We have some false things recorded that men or women put forth, but every Word that came from God was truth and always will be.

Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

We can rest assured that God’s Word will stand.

Mark 13:31  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 

Paul told young Timothy that many had erred and said the resurrection was past already, but that did not make it so.   We can rest assured in what God says.  It is always true and perfect and without error. 

2 Tim 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2 Tim 2:17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2 Tim 2:18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2 Tim 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Rom 3:5  But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

Rom 3:6  God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 

Paul continues with more questions in verse five.  The meaning of the issue being raised here concerns whether God’s righteousness is made manifest by the unrighteousness of man.  And then, if God takes vengeance, is he unrighteous.  He answers with a clear “NO” in verse six when he says “God forbid.”   God never did anything against man.  Man is the one who has rebelled against a Holy and Righteous God..   If God did not judge man, He could not be a truly fair and impartial Heavenly Father.  Since God cared so much for us that He would send His only Begotten Son to die in our place to pay our penalty of sin, He must judge those that reject this perfect gift. 

Acts 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 

Rom 3:7  For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

Rom 3:8  And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 

Paul is warning us that any wrong deed, no matter if done for good, is still wrong and will be judged.  You may have heard the old saying that the end justifies the means.   Worldly wisdom such as this should never come into the work of God.  Jesus did everything exactly as the Word of God required, and we should follow his example.   Many today try to improve upon God’s way, and it may sound very good from a human standpoint.  We need to be most concerned in how God sees things and do things all for the honor and glory of God. 

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

II.                  Fourteen Charges God Brings Against Sinful Men 

Rom 3:9  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 

Exactly what is Paul referring to in verse 9 when he says “What then?”  I believe this is considering all that he had previously stated from about verse 17 of chapter 2 through verse 8 of chapter 3.   In conclusion of all the things just taught about the Jew, he asks “are we better than they? (the Gentiles.)   When it comes to our standing before God, the answer is that none are righteous before God.   Every man and woman is guilty of sin and before we come to Christ for forgiveness, we are condemned.   We read those verses in John last week where it states that we are condemned already because we have not believed on Christ.   Sin has a penalty, and either we must pay for it or accept Christ’s gift of eternal life.

14 charges against Man in his natural condition in verses 10-18: 

Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

In our natural condition, we have come into the world inheriting the nature of Adam.  When he and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, they died a spiritual death that day.   Since we all have this nature indwelling within us, each of us sins eventually.   It may just be a small sin like telling a little lie.   But all of us sin, and can not stand before God in our own righteousness. 

Psa 14:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psa 14:2  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

Psa 14:3  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 

Rom 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 

Even with the greatest of education, man truly does not understand things clearly and does not seek after God.  We may have an indication inside that God exists, but our natural inclinations are not to seek God out.   God cared so much for us that while we were yet His enemy, He sent Christ to die for us.  The Just dying for the unjust.  This is love that is hard to comprehend. 

1 Pet 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 

1 Cor 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Cor 1:22  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

1 Cor 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1 Cor 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

1 Cor 1:25  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 

1 Cor 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

Rom 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 

We don’t naturally stay on the straight and narrow path of God.  We tend to go out of the way and become unprofitable.  We become unfit for use until we find Christ and then He can mold us as clay in the hands of the potter.  Not one man does good by nature, not even one.

Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Rom 3:13  Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 

The sepulchre is another word for the grave.  It is like our throat opens up to the place of death, and we spread the poison that comes forth from our lips.   James speaks of how the tongue is a little member, but it can stir up so much trouble.  We all must learn to control the tongue to be effective in our Christian walk. 

James 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 

Psa 5:9  For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. 

Psa 10:7  His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 

James 3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

James 3:7  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

James 3:8  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:9  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

James 3:10  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 

Psa 39:1  To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  

Rom 3:14  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

 We just read the verse in James 3 where God commands that we bring forth not both blessing and cursing from our lips.  Our speech should be such that it glorifies and honors our Lord and Savior.  Just by our speech, we should be known as Christians.    Once, while the Lord was being condemned before his death on Calvary, Peter was watching from a distance and the mob said his voice betrayed him. 

Mat 26:70  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Mat 26:71  And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

Mat 26:72  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

Mat 26:73  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

Mat 26:74  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Mat 26:75  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

We see Peter was trying so hard to disassociate himself from Christ, that he began to curse.  This is exactly what God does not want us to do, and you see how bitterly Peter was dealt with by the Holy Spirit when the Holy Spirit made him realize what had been done.    Sin is wrong, and brings heartache and destruction.  It may have pleasure for a season, but the end of it is always bad.

Rom 3:15  Their feet are swift to shed blood:

The lost man is not concerned about hurting another person.  It may be actually something he delights in doing.  But we should never be this way.

Isa 59:7  Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

Prov 1:16  For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Rom 3:16  Destruction and misery are in their ways:

The way of wicked is hard.  Destruction and misery are in the way each day.

2 Tim 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Rom 3:17  And the way of peace have they not known:

The only real peace in this life (and the life to come) comes from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.   Christ came to give us abundant life, the greatest life we can have.   If the world could understand the peace that the child of God has, they would rush to receive Christ as Savior.  But Satan has their eyes blinded, making them to believe that peace and happiness is in the acquisition of things or power.   Christ gives true and lasting peace.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Isa 57:21  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Rom 3:18  There is no fear of God before their eyes.

The reality that we must all stand and give an account of our deeds before God is not in the mind of man.  Many want to believe that we are like the animals.  Once we die, that is the end.   But man has both a body, soul, and spirit.  After the body dies, the soul and spirit live on. 

Psa 36:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Psa 36:2  For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

Psa 36:3  The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.

Eccl 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Eccl 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Eccl 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

III.                What the Law Cannot Do 

Rom 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The purpose of the law is to stop every mouth and show the whole world guilty in the sight of God.  The law showed Paul that he was guilty before the Lord.

Rom 7:7  What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

The law never has and never can justify a soul before God.  What is does is teach us that we are sinners and must seek salvation from God.  The law was for the sinners and the ungodly.

1 Tim 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

1 Tim 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

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Prov 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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