Bible Passage: Romans 3:1-20
Background Passages: Romans 3:1-31
Memory Verse: Romans 3:10
Objectives:
Background Passages: Romans 3:1-31
Memory Verse: Romans 3:10
Objectives:
- To understand God's condemnation on all men
- To have a deep awareness of your own personal sinfulness and go to God for deliverance
The first two chapters of Romans speak of God's wrath, judgment on sin, and the principles God uses in His judgment of all men. Paul says that all pagan and religious men are all under God's condemnation because their hearts are rebellious. Those who do not believe in God, as well as those who profess to know Him through their religion--all disobey Him in their lives.
But if this is true, if religious persons are condemned along with pagans, then what advantage is it to be born into a Christian home or to belong to a church? This was something like the question of some of the Jews to whom Paul was writing. He answers it in the first part of Romans 3.
I. GOD IS VINDICATED (Romans 3:1-8)
To understand these first eight verses of chapter three, we need to read them as a dialogue between Paul and his opponents. The questions of the Jews are in verses 1, 3 and 5. Paul's answers are in verses 2, 4 and 6-8.
A. He Has Given His Word (3:1, 2)
Question: What is Paul's answer to this question: "What advantage is there in being a Jew?" (3:1, 2)
God did not excuse the Jews' sins, but He had favored them by giving them His Word. His purpose was to teach them about Himself through His Word so they could know Him. He gave them His laws so they would learn to live according to His will.
We who are born into Christian homes today have the same advantage. We need to thank God continually for giving us His Word so we can know Him early in life. Those who are born into pagan homes do not have this privilege. They must wait until missionaries come to tell them about salvation in Christ.
B. He Has Been Faithful (3:3, 4)
Question: What is Paul's answer to this question: "If God gave the Jews His laws and they broke them as Paul said, then does this mean that God will not be faithful to His promises?" (3:3, 4)
Paul wanted such people to know that God is always faithful to His Word, regardless of whether men obey it or not. God cannot lie. His faithfulness to what He has said is never diminished by man's faithlessness. When compared with man's failure, God's faithfulness shines in even greater intensity.
C. He Has Acted with Righteousness and Justice (3:5-8)
The next objection of the Jews shows that they did not understand God's kindness to them as a nation (3:5). They reasoned that if as Paul said their wickedness showed God's justice and faithfulness.
Question: If this is so, then why should they be punished? Weren't their sins serving a good purpose? Shouldn't they be excused because of the honor that came to God as others saw His faithfulness to those who were disobedient? (3:6)
God cannot be considered just if He overlooks the sins of anyone--including those who are called by His name. The fact that God can bring honor to Himself in spite of a man's sin does not excuse that sin. Sin is still wrong and must be punished by God who is just.
In verses 7 and 8 Paul restates this third objection in such a way that the Jews could see what they were really saying. "Since our evil shows by contrast how good God is, we should keep on doing evil so God's goodness will be made more clear." They were like people today who keep on shining because they say God's mercy will keep on forgiving them. They twist God's mercy to make it allow them to do more evil, rather than repenting and becoming good which is God's purpose.
Question: What is Paul's judgment on those who think this way? (3:8)
They deserve the condemnation they will receive from God. It is as though Paul sees it is no use to continue answering these people who stubbornly want to do evil and seek to justify it.
II. ALL MEN ARE CONDEMNED (Romans 3:9-20)
Question: Therefore, what is Paul's conclusion about those who are religious? Are they any better than others? (3:9)
In Romans 1 and 2 Paul has proved through the evidence of sin in men's lives that all are sinners and under God's condemnation. Now he gives his final argument from Scripture. What is God's judgment concerning all men?
A. No One is Righteous (3:10)
Question: Why is verse 10 true? Where does true righteousness come from? (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Some people think they are good because they compare themselves with other sinful men.
Question: What does Paul say about this? (2 Corinthians 10:12)
He discourages people comparing themselves with others. They are like a flashlight comparing itself with a candle and being proud because it is brighter. But what boasting is left when both are compared with the light from the sun?
The standard by which God will judge us is His own righteousness. Therefore, we must admit that none are righteous.
B. No One Seeks God (3:11, 12)
Question: Many who are religious think that this shows they are seeking for God. But what does God say in Romans 3:11, 12?
No one seeks God. All have turned away from Him and do evil.
Discuss: In what way can a person be religious and yet not be seeking God? For example, suppose a man makes a bargain that if God blesses his business, he will give more to the church or to charity. Is this man seeking God, or prosperity in business? Many who are called Christians pray to God for help when they are in trouble and then forget Him when everything is going all right. This shows that our hearts are basically selfish and are seeking our own welfare even in religion, until we come to Jesus Christ to be changed.
Isaiah said, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray" (Isaiah 53:6). Sheep go astray when they begin to seek grass for themselves and don't trust the shepherd. It is not spiritual weakness that makes us turn aside from doing God's will. It is a deliberate choice because we think that our own way will bring us what we want.
Question: What is the result of our turning away from God's way according to Romans 3:12?
Question: Why cannot we do good to others when our hearts are not controlled by the love of God?
If God is not in control of our thinking, then we are. Any good acts are done with the selfish motive of expecting something in return.
Discuss: For example, in many communities and churches, it is the practice to announce the names of donors to various projects. This honor is given in return for the gift. Many people give in order to receive this honor of being considered good. But is this true goodness, or is it mixed with a selfish desire for honor from men? How does this contrast with God's standard given in Matthew 6:3, 4?
God's standard of goodness is Himself. He does good to both the good and the bad. He expects those who follow Him to become like Him (Matthew 5:43-48). This kind of goodness can only come through the life of Jesus Christ in us.
C. They Have Tongues which Deceive (3:13, 14)
Question: What does God say about the words of all men? (3:13, 14)
Their words are full of deceit, cursing and bitterness and are destructive.
The mouth of a man shows what is hidden in his heart (Matthew 12:32-37). Our words show what we really are.
Discuss: The illustrations given in Romans 3 are very descriptive of the evil work of the tongue. How is the tongue like an open grave? How do people use their lips to spread poison like asps? How is the tongue used to deceive and to curse because of bitterness in the heart?
Discuss: Does this description of the evil work of the tongue apply only to people outside the church or do some members also have problems with their tongues? What happens when one member gets a position in the church that another wanted? What kind of talk goes around when two young people from church families fall into sin? The way we talk when we face problems shows what is in our hearts. If there is evil there, that is the time it will come out in evil talk.
According to James, the control of the tongue is impossible for any human being (James 3:6-12). This is because our tongues are controlled by our hearts which need to be changed. The mouth will speak only what is good and kind when the heart and mind are under the control of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.
D. They Do Not Know the Way of Peace (3:15-17)
Question: What do those who do not know peace do? (3:15-17)
Those who are in rebellion against God are self-centered. They cannot live in peace with others because they want their own way. They will fight and seek to destroy others—using either words or hands or something else as their weapons. They cannot live in peace because of the hatred in their hearts.
Some people think they have found the way of peace by avoiding those who irritate or do evil to them. But is this God’s way of peace? (Romans 12:18-21). No, God wants us to actively reach out in love even to our enemies. We are to do practical things like giving food or clothes or meeting other needs of those who hate us. When we act in kindness towards others, peace will usually follow.
E. They Have No Fear of God (3:18)
Question: According to verse 18, what is the root cause of all the sins that have been mentioned?
To fear God means to have such reverence, respect, and honor for Him that one is afraid to offend Him. Where there is no fear of God who is holy and good, there will grow all kinds of evil which will bring destruction, sorrow and death.
But if this is true, if religious persons are condemned along with pagans, then what advantage is it to be born into a Christian home or to belong to a church? This was something like the question of some of the Jews to whom Paul was writing. He answers it in the first part of Romans 3.
I. GOD IS VINDICATED (Romans 3:1-8)
To understand these first eight verses of chapter three, we need to read them as a dialogue between Paul and his opponents. The questions of the Jews are in verses 1, 3 and 5. Paul's answers are in verses 2, 4 and 6-8.
A. He Has Given His Word (3:1, 2)
Question: What is Paul's answer to this question: "What advantage is there in being a Jew?" (3:1, 2)
God did not excuse the Jews' sins, but He had favored them by giving them His Word. His purpose was to teach them about Himself through His Word so they could know Him. He gave them His laws so they would learn to live according to His will.
We who are born into Christian homes today have the same advantage. We need to thank God continually for giving us His Word so we can know Him early in life. Those who are born into pagan homes do not have this privilege. They must wait until missionaries come to tell them about salvation in Christ.
B. He Has Been Faithful (3:3, 4)
Question: What is Paul's answer to this question: "If God gave the Jews His laws and they broke them as Paul said, then does this mean that God will not be faithful to His promises?" (3:3, 4)
Paul wanted such people to know that God is always faithful to His Word, regardless of whether men obey it or not. God cannot lie. His faithfulness to what He has said is never diminished by man's faithlessness. When compared with man's failure, God's faithfulness shines in even greater intensity.
C. He Has Acted with Righteousness and Justice (3:5-8)
The next objection of the Jews shows that they did not understand God's kindness to them as a nation (3:5). They reasoned that if as Paul said their wickedness showed God's justice and faithfulness.
Question: If this is so, then why should they be punished? Weren't their sins serving a good purpose? Shouldn't they be excused because of the honor that came to God as others saw His faithfulness to those who were disobedient? (3:6)
God cannot be considered just if He overlooks the sins of anyone--including those who are called by His name. The fact that God can bring honor to Himself in spite of a man's sin does not excuse that sin. Sin is still wrong and must be punished by God who is just.
In verses 7 and 8 Paul restates this third objection in such a way that the Jews could see what they were really saying. "Since our evil shows by contrast how good God is, we should keep on doing evil so God's goodness will be made more clear." They were like people today who keep on shining because they say God's mercy will keep on forgiving them. They twist God's mercy to make it allow them to do more evil, rather than repenting and becoming good which is God's purpose.
Question: What is Paul's judgment on those who think this way? (3:8)
They deserve the condemnation they will receive from God. It is as though Paul sees it is no use to continue answering these people who stubbornly want to do evil and seek to justify it.
II. ALL MEN ARE CONDEMNED (Romans 3:9-20)
Question: Therefore, what is Paul's conclusion about those who are religious? Are they any better than others? (3:9)
In Romans 1 and 2 Paul has proved through the evidence of sin in men's lives that all are sinners and under God's condemnation. Now he gives his final argument from Scripture. What is God's judgment concerning all men?
A. No One is Righteous (3:10)
Question: Why is verse 10 true? Where does true righteousness come from? (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Some people think they are good because they compare themselves with other sinful men.
Question: What does Paul say about this? (2 Corinthians 10:12)
He discourages people comparing themselves with others. They are like a flashlight comparing itself with a candle and being proud because it is brighter. But what boasting is left when both are compared with the light from the sun?
The standard by which God will judge us is His own righteousness. Therefore, we must admit that none are righteous.
B. No One Seeks God (3:11, 12)
Question: Many who are religious think that this shows they are seeking for God. But what does God say in Romans 3:11, 12?
No one seeks God. All have turned away from Him and do evil.
Discuss: In what way can a person be religious and yet not be seeking God? For example, suppose a man makes a bargain that if God blesses his business, he will give more to the church or to charity. Is this man seeking God, or prosperity in business? Many who are called Christians pray to God for help when they are in trouble and then forget Him when everything is going all right. This shows that our hearts are basically selfish and are seeking our own welfare even in religion, until we come to Jesus Christ to be changed.
Isaiah said, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray" (Isaiah 53:6). Sheep go astray when they begin to seek grass for themselves and don't trust the shepherd. It is not spiritual weakness that makes us turn aside from doing God's will. It is a deliberate choice because we think that our own way will bring us what we want.
Question: What is the result of our turning away from God's way according to Romans 3:12?
Question: Why cannot we do good to others when our hearts are not controlled by the love of God?
If God is not in control of our thinking, then we are. Any good acts are done with the selfish motive of expecting something in return.
Discuss: For example, in many communities and churches, it is the practice to announce the names of donors to various projects. This honor is given in return for the gift. Many people give in order to receive this honor of being considered good. But is this true goodness, or is it mixed with a selfish desire for honor from men? How does this contrast with God's standard given in Matthew 6:3, 4?
God's standard of goodness is Himself. He does good to both the good and the bad. He expects those who follow Him to become like Him (Matthew 5:43-48). This kind of goodness can only come through the life of Jesus Christ in us.
C. They Have Tongues which Deceive (3:13, 14)
Question: What does God say about the words of all men? (3:13, 14)
Their words are full of deceit, cursing and bitterness and are destructive.
The mouth of a man shows what is hidden in his heart (Matthew 12:32-37). Our words show what we really are.
Discuss: The illustrations given in Romans 3 are very descriptive of the evil work of the tongue. How is the tongue like an open grave? How do people use their lips to spread poison like asps? How is the tongue used to deceive and to curse because of bitterness in the heart?
Discuss: Does this description of the evil work of the tongue apply only to people outside the church or do some members also have problems with their tongues? What happens when one member gets a position in the church that another wanted? What kind of talk goes around when two young people from church families fall into sin? The way we talk when we face problems shows what is in our hearts. If there is evil there, that is the time it will come out in evil talk.
According to James, the control of the tongue is impossible for any human being (James 3:6-12). This is because our tongues are controlled by our hearts which need to be changed. The mouth will speak only what is good and kind when the heart and mind are under the control of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.
D. They Do Not Know the Way of Peace (3:15-17)
Question: What do those who do not know peace do? (3:15-17)
Those who are in rebellion against God are self-centered. They cannot live in peace with others because they want their own way. They will fight and seek to destroy others—using either words or hands or something else as their weapons. They cannot live in peace because of the hatred in their hearts.
Some people think they have found the way of peace by avoiding those who irritate or do evil to them. But is this God’s way of peace? (Romans 12:18-21). No, God wants us to actively reach out in love even to our enemies. We are to do practical things like giving food or clothes or meeting other needs of those who hate us. When we act in kindness towards others, peace will usually follow.
E. They Have No Fear of God (3:18)
Question: According to verse 18, what is the root cause of all the sins that have been mentioned?
To fear God means to have such reverence, respect, and honor for Him that one is afraid to offend Him. Where there is no fear of God who is holy and good, there will grow all kinds of evil which will bring destruction, sorrow and death.
*******
MEDITATION
We see that the whole world is held guilty before God. No man can make himself good enough to please God. God’s Word can show us our sin, but it cannot make us good. (Read Romans 3:19, 20.)
Men differ as to what kind of sins they have committed, but all have sinned. When compared with God’s holiness, every one of us falls short. Apart from the grace of God, all men are guilty, condemned and lost for eternity.
Jesus said He cam to save sinners, not the righteous. He came to bring healing to those who know they are spiritually sick, not those who think they are well. It is only when we see our terrible need because of our sins that we will come to Him and receive deliverance.
We see that the whole world is held guilty before God. No man can make himself good enough to please God. God’s Word can show us our sin, but it cannot make us good. (Read Romans 3:19, 20.)
Men differ as to what kind of sins they have committed, but all have sinned. When compared with God’s holiness, every one of us falls short. Apart from the grace of God, all men are guilty, condemned and lost for eternity.
- Do we accept this testimony concerning our sinfulness?
- Do we see that our religion cannot help us if we are trusting in our own ability to obey God?
- Do we see our need of a Savior to change our hearts and make us good like God?
Jesus said He cam to save sinners, not the righteous. He came to bring healing to those who know they are spiritually sick, not those who think they are well. It is only when we see our terrible need because of our sins that we will come to Him and receive deliverance.
Source:
Foundations of Faith (Romans 1-7)
PCEP Adult Bible Studies 2
Foundations of Faith (Romans 1-7)
PCEP Adult Bible Studies 2