Romans 3:3-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 3:1-18

I. Here the apostle answers several objections, which might be made, to clear his way. No truth so plain and evident but wicked wits and corrupt carnal hearts will have something to say against it; but divine truths must be cleared from cavil. Object. 1. If Jew and Gentile stand so much upon the same level before God, what advantage then hath the Jew? Hath not God often spoken with a great deal of respect for the Jews, as a non-such people (Deut. 33:29), a holy nation, a peculiar treasure, the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 3:1-8

3:1-8 What, then, is the something plus which belongs to a Jew? Or what special advantage belongs to those who have been circumcised? Much in every way. In the first place, there is this advantage--that the Jews have been entrusted with the oracles of God. Yes, you say, but what if some of them were unfaithful to them? Surely you are not going to argue that their infidelity invalidates the fidelity of God? God forbid! Let God be shown to be true, though every man be shown to be a liar, as it... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 3:9-18

3:9-18 What then? Are we Jews out ahead? By no means. For we have already charged all Jews and Greeks with being under the power of sin, as it stands written: "There is none righteous, no not one. There is no man of understanding. There is none who seeks the Lord. All have swerved out of the way, and all together have gone bad. There is none whose acts are good, not one single one. Their throat is an open tomb. They practise fraud with their tongues. The poison of asps is under their lips.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 3:3

For what if some did not believe ?.... It is suggested, that though the Jews enjoyed such a privilege, some of them did not believe; which is an aggravation of their sin, that they should have such means of light, knowledge, and faith, such clear and full evidences of things, and yet be incredulous: though it should be observed that this was the case only of some, not of all; and must be understood, not of their disbelief of the Scriptures being the word of God, for these were always... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 3:4

God forbid, yea, let God be true, but every man a liar ,.... Let no such thing ever enter into the minds of any, that the truth of God can be, or will be made of none effect by the want of faith in man; let it be always asserted and abode by; that God is true, faithful to his word, constant in his promises, and will always fulfil his purposes; though "every man is a liar", vain, fallacious, and inconstant: referring to Psalm 116:11 ; as it is written , Psalm 51:4 ; that thou... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 3:5

But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God ,.... Hence it appears, that the unrighteousness of men commends the righteousness, or faithfulness of God; and yet all unrighteousness is sin; the wrath of God is revealed against it; and would exclude from heaven, were it not for pardon through the blood of Christ; and besides, the one is contrary to the other, and of itself, of its own nature, cannot influence and affect the other: wherefore this can only be understood of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 3:6

God forbid, for then how shall God judge the world? חלילה , "far be it"; such a notion is detestable and abominable, nor can it be fairly deduced from what is asserted; for it is the unrighteousness of his own people, on whom he takes no vengeance personally, and not the unrighteousness of others, on whom he does take vengeance, which commends his righteousness; and supposing it was that of others, God cannot be unrighteous in performing his threatenings, in a way of righteousness:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 3:7

For if the truth of God ,.... The "truth of God" is the same with "the righteousness of God", Romans 3:5 , and means his faithfulness; of which it is hypothetically said, it hath more abounded ; or has been more illustrated, through my lie to his glory : nothing is more opposite to truth than a lie; a lie of itself can never be of any advantage to truth, or to the God of truth; nothing is more contrary to the nature of God, and more abominable to him; a lie is of the devil, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 3:8

And not rather, as we be slanderously reported ,.... These are the apostle's own words, in answer to the objector he represented; and it is as if he should say, why do not you go on? why do you stop here? "and not rather" say, as we are evil spoken of, and our doctrine is blasphemed: and as some affirm ; ignorantly and audaciously enough: that we say ; and teach: let us do evil that good may come ; a slander cast upon the apostle's doctrine of unconditional election, free... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 3:9

What then? are we better than they ?.... The apostle returns to what he was treating of in the beginning of the chapter, and suggests, that though the Jew has the advantage of the Gentile, with respect to some external privileges, yet not with regard to their state and condition God-ward, and as in his sight; "are we Jews better than they Gentiles ?" no, in no wise ; upon no consideration whatever, neither as men, nor as Jews; which is directly opposite to a notion that people have... read more

Group of Brands