Romans 3:1

In this chapter, Paul answered certain objections that might have been alleged against what he had just written (Romans 3:1-8), brought forward a number of Old Testament references to support the proposition that none are righteous and that justification was impossible either through the law of Moses or any similar system of law (Romans 3:9-19), and then presented God's master plan of human redemption, as achieved in Christ, and available to all people in him (Romans 3:21-31).

Verses 1-8 raise four questions, each being imputed to objectors, as in the old diatribe style; and the apostolic answers are given. These are: (1) What advantage then hath the Jew (Romans 3:1)? (2) What is the profit of circumcision (Romans 3:1)? (3) Will the unbelief of the Jews nullify God's promises (Romans 3:3)? and (4) Since man's sin is overruled by God unto the Father's glory, how can it be just for God to punish those whose sins were so used (Romans 3:5)?

The answers to all four questions appear in Lard's paraphrase of these first eight verses, thus:

The Jews, in being such, possessed many peculiar advantages, among the most important of which was their being entrusted with the revelations of God. Still, though thus highly favored, many of them were unfaithful. But this will have no effect on God's faithfulness. He will remain true, although all men should prove false. Moreover, even when the Jews' injustice had the effect to display the justice of God, still God must punish their injustice; and he does right in doing so. We must not do evil that good may come, and we will certainly be punished if we do.[1]