Romans: False Arguments: The Bible Gives No One an Advantage

I’ve divided Romans, Chapter 3 into five sections based on five arguments that Paul anticipates from dissenters and then discredits those arguments. They are:

False Argument #1: The Bible (Law) Gives No One an Advantage: vs 1-4
False Argument #2: God Is Unrighteous: vs 5-10
False Argument #3: We Are Better Than They: vs 9-18
False Argument #4: The Law Is Better: vs 19-26
False Argument #5: Believers Can Boast about Salvation: vs 27-31

Some of Paul’s false argument rebuttals are brought up as strawman arguments to be disputed while others are simply disputed without the false argument being clearly articulated. I trust I have captured them properly as we walk through Romans, Chapter 3.

This month we will explore the first two false arguments that Paul postulates.

Romans, Chapter 1 and 2 Summary:

In Chapter 1, Paul dealt with the “pagan man”, but in Chapter 2, Paul deals with the “moral man” in verses 1-16. You will note that the tone moves from “they” in Chapter 1 to “thou” in Chapter 2 making his arguments more personal to the reader.

Also note that as we examined these two chapters, Paul is arguing that knowledge of God’s law does not provide some blanket protection from sin or judgement. Nor does the lack of knowledge for the pagan man free him from sin and judgement even though he will not be judged or condemned by the Mosaic Law. Consider the morally upright heathen (not a Bible believer or one knowledgeable of the law) whose very behavior indicates that he inherently knows right from wrong and yet a close examination of his life will reveal that even he with his limited moral knowledge can’t remain pure.

We also learned that the Jew cannot escape judgement via his greater knowledge of the law, because that greater knowledge places on him a greater burden to keep the law which he cannot. Therefore, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Chapter 2 is divided up into five topics. They are:

1. The Certainty of Divine Judgement: vs 1-4
2. The Credits of Wrath We Accumulate: vs 5-11
3. The Conscience That Condemns: vs 12-16
4. The Confidence That Fails: vs 17-24
5. The Circumcision That Counts vs 25-29

In Chapter 2, Paul also took up the subject of Divine Judgement by examining seven principles on how God executes judgement. These are:

1. According to Truth: vs 2-4
2. According to Accumulated Guilt: vs 5
3. According to Works: vs 6-10
4. Without Respect of Persons: vs 11-12
5. According to Actual Obedience – not Knowledge: vs 13-14
6. According to the Secrets of the Heart: vs 16
7. According to One’s Profession (Reality): vs 17-29

The God Forbid Verses:

God forbid shows up three times in Chapter 3. In the Greek it is the words me genoito: “not may it be” (Gilbrant, The Complete Biblical Library Interlinear Bible)! A primary negation that does not require affirmation from an outside source. God alone forbids it and, therefore, it will stand as forbidden. Verse 4, 6, and 31 have this phrase and are all identical. Note that such an absolute forbidding was concluded by the KJV translators to have only been able to come from God and, therefore, the translation says, “God forbid!”

False Argument #1: The Bible Gives No One an Advantage

Romans 3:1-4 (bold added): “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 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.”

Verse 1 Notes: “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Two key questions that seem to be what the objectors of Paul’s earlier statements in Chapter 2 might ask are stated so that Paul can address them . . .
- What then advantage has the Jew?
- What profit is there of being circumcised?

Back to Chapter 2, verses 25-29. The argument boils down to this: as a member of the covenant, a covenant of the law, one must keep (obey) all the law. A lawbreaker is a covenant breaker and, therefore, membership in the covenant is null and void and has no value.

Conversely, one who is not a covenant member (the outward sign) but by “nature” keeps (obeys) the covenant law is as one who is in the covenant and of good standing.

But since no one can be a perfect covenant keeper, then all are without excuse when they appear before the Judge, the Lord.

Reminder from Chapter 2: Paul starts by advancing the premise that circumcision does profit or have value to those who keep the law. The Greek word is prasso, which is a primary verb and means to “”practise“, . . . perform repeatedly . . . habitually . . . by implication to execute, accomplish, etc.; . . . commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require” (Strong’s G4238). This is different than other Greek words that are translated “keep” that mean to observe or guard. Here Paul argues that you must do the law statutes consistently. Obey all the law and your circumcision is a benefit.

Verse 2 Notes: “Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”

Oracles: logion: utterances, sayings (Strong’s G3051).

Paul disputes his first two strawmen with what he considers the chiefest of rebuttals: that via the Jews, God committed to them first and then to the world the oracles, sayings, doctrine, truth, law, promises, visions, need to be holy, and so much more.

Consider a few more “advantages” that accrue to the Jewish people and, by extension, to believers in Christ:

1. We have promises that we inherit that we would not know without God’s Word.
2. It is through God’s Word that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin – thus as our schoolmaster condemns us, such that we cry out to God for salvation.
3. God made the Jewish people as a wife, and we are as a bride to Christ – what an amazing relationship we are blessed with.
4. It is by His Word that our faith is strengthened and, as we study it, our faith grows.
5. By His Word we see Jesus, and it is His Word that He often uses to conform us into His image.
6. We have the advantage of an entire book of love letters to us from God Himself.
7. We have the advantage of knowing the very heart of God.

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

Paul asks a question which may be rendered “What then?” or “For how?” It is a question provoked by the consideration that the unbelief of Israel to whom the oracles of God had been entrusted must not be reckoned as in any respect interfering with or prejudicing the reality of this privilege of possessing the divine oracles.

For it might seem that, if what Paul says in the latter part of Chapter 2 is correct, Israel had forfeited this privilege. This is what Paul denies. No – not the privilege or advantage that they had, but instead, they, in effect, squandered it.

For Paul proceeds with a question which is intended to offset in the most emphatic terms any such insinuation or allegation: “If some did not believe, shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect?” God Forbid!

We move from that question to what should be an obvious answer found in verse 4.

Verse 4 Notes (bold added): “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.”

God forbid what? God forbid that the unbelief of the Jewish people have any negative effect on God’s Holy Word.

God forbid that their unbelief can make God’s Word unable to save by pointing to Christ.

God forbid that their or anyone’s unbelief makes God’s Word unable to foster belief in us or help us to grow in faith.

The truth is that even if the whole world does not believe, God’s Word is still effectual, still stands, and is still quick and powerful.

No man’s unbelief can negate God’s Word.

Thus, Paul adds, “Let God be true and everyman a liar.”

What is the Jewish unbelief centered on in this verse?

Since the purpose of Romans is to encourage the church at Rome as well as set some things straight, it can be assumed that although all of the law is in play, the “oracles” of God can be seen as those verses, declarations, and prophecies regarding the Messiah.

The argument, therefore, is that the unbelief of some Jews does not invalidate the privilege of Israel in the possession of the oracles of God, nor does it negate the advantage of the Jew over the Gentiles in this respect. But of an even greater point as is implicit in the argument is the fact that the unbelief of Jews does not disestablish the truth and abiding validity of God’s oracles.

So it appears that for Paul’s “God Forbid”, he has pulled from at least two verses from Psalms and possibly three. They are:

- Psalm 116:11: “I said in my haste, All men are liars.”

- Psalm 62:9: “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.”

- Psalm 51:4: “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”

So Paul is saying that God is justified in His sayings. He oracles are clear (against the backdrop of His Word) when He judges those who knew the law, did not keep it, and are being judged by the law.

A corollary to this verse’s phrase is that we as believers are justified as we speak God’s Word and will be overcomers when we are judged.

Some additional thoughts on this first false argument

We who have an advantage must remember that we are responsible for that advantage:

Luke 12:48: “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.“

2. God’s Word, His promises, oracles, and doctrine, are not nullified or reduced in any way by man’s unbelief, even if it is our own unbelief:

Isaiah 40:6-8: “The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.”

1 Peter 1:23-25: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

3. Despite our advantage, we would do well to remain humble before God and agree with King David in contrition:

Psalm 51:1-6:

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sins is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

False Argument #2: God is Unrighteous

We now turn to the next false argument Paul constructs and then discredits.

Romans 3:5-10 (bold added):

But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? I (speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 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. 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; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

We have before us an argument that Paul uses to dispel three false assertions (or sub-arguments) of lost man that have been put forth, primarily by Jewish naysayers trying to discredit the evangelical work of the gospel that Paul and others are preaching. They are:

1. God unjustly punishes sinners:

In this falsehood, we are confronted with some claims that have existed since Adam: God is unjust to punish sinners.

Man would rather hold on to his sin than repent of his sin and, thus, must somehow assuage his guilt. He, therefore, blames an unjust God, one who hates sinners, and therefore, he, the sinner, has the right to rebel against such an unjust and unrighteous God. God does not hate sinners, but he does hate all sin.

Man takes opportunity to shake his fist at God and complain that God is unjust and, therefore, is Himself a flawed and unrighteous God. They think such behavior will sooth their pained conscience, but, instead, they linger in their guilt or else sear their conscience.

2. God is sovereign and sin is not my fault:

Here the petitioner expresses God is to blame for all my sin because He made me thus. Since He made me a sinner, and because He could have made me to be sinless, my sin (and all sin) is actually His fault.

This is also an old Hebrew adage, but the conclusion has been twisted. Hebrews believed that God has control over all things and is absolutely sovereign. Therefore, sin, evil, disasters, trails, troubles, and even the Devil are all agents or institutes of God.

But being ignored is the parallel belief that these trials and problems and judgements are the result of the fall of man and the subsequent judgement curse upon all of creation (not just man) – so the old Hebrew thought had a sort of balance. Yes, God is behind our trials and tribulations, but we deserve them, and He is a just God for giving them.

3. Our sin helps God get more glory:

Here the sinner has decided that their sin actually helps God get more glory. The explanation goes something like this: “If God is sovereign and in absolute control, then all that happens is simply part of His predetermined plan. If man is inherently incapable of obedience and is a sinner, then he cannot be held accountable for those actions, thoughts, etc. that he commits. Therefore, since the sin of man is unavoidable, and God is using man’s sin to get Himself more glory (a serious flaw in thinking), we need not be concerned – go ahead and sin and let God get greater glory for it.”

This thinking is so far out there it would be laughable if it were not so tragic and believed by some not only in Paul’s day but our own as well. This comes dangerously close to an act condemned in the Scripture as the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.

Let’s look at how Paul addresses this false set of three sub-arguments.

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

False argument says: Our unrighteousness commends (approves, strengthens, validates) God’s righteousness. And therefore, if God gets glory this way, is He not unrighteous Himself for taking vengeance upon my sin which I can’t control but also enhances Him?

Isn’t God unrighteous in this matter since He has sovereignly dictated that I be thus? Verse 6 answers this false argument:

Verse 6 Notes: “God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?”

God Forbid! Strongest absolute negative in the New Testament. If it were so, then God would be disqualified to judge the world.

Implied here in the false argument is the final scene in Heaven at the great White Throne Judgment of man being able to point his finger at God and accuse Him of being unjust and, therefore, unqualified to stand in judgement over him. He, therefore, demands a jury of his peers which would presumably get him a fair trial before the bar, a much more lenient verdict and punishment, if not full acquittal! Such is their hope.

Verse 7-8 Notes: “For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 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 following with a restatement of the false argument: if indeed my sin enhances God, then my lie (my untruthfulness) only serves to enhance God’s truthfulness. So why am I condemned as a sinner? I am helping God!

“Slanderously reported” refers to a heresy in Paul’s day that actually advocated and taught this idea and further accused Paul and other disciples of teaching the same. Paul is saying that such lies and false doctrine are a slander to him and the true gospel.

The true gospel is that man is a sinner, and that sin cannot go unpunished. Since man is the sinner, then the weight of that judgement falls upon him. But, good news! Jesus Christ took the place of the sinner, bore his actual sin, was condemned in his place and subjected to the full force and fury of God’s wrath against sin and the sinner who commits them.

Sin cannot go unanswered in the sight of a holy and just God. Even if we create these falsehoods and believe them, that does not change some very critical elements that destroy this horrible house of sophistry cards, that:

- God is sovereign

- Man has been given free will outside of God’s sovereignty (within limits).

- The unrighteousness of man does not in any way taint or change the holiness and righteousness of God.

- God’s character does not depend on us, but we absolutely must depend upon God. He is the standard, as it were, and not ourselves.

- Sin is the result of the fall of man and, therefore, sin’s judgement is absolutely just on God’s part. The parameters were set long ago when in the garden man had the choice to obey God while in a perfect state or to disobey Him. Man chose to disobey Him.

- Every human since Adam (with the notable exception of Christ) has chosen to sin, has chosen to disobey authority and rebel. It starts in childhood the first time we tell our parents NO! We don’t even know about God yet, but we understand authority in a primal sense, and we don’t like it! We want to be in charge and set our own rules!

- When man sets out to justify himself before God, he does so at his own peril, for he, in effect, does three fatal things:

1. He either ignores or rejects outright that we are the creation – not the creator, and, as such, we are subject to the laws of He who created.

2. He remakes God in his own image: a flawed, sinful, frail, and limited being who is attempting to reduce an infinite and limitless God. Indeed, history is full of men who thought themselves a god and divine.

3. He has rejected his only possible salvation through the redemption offered to him through the completed work of Christ on the cross because he would rather excuse himself than repent.

Verse 9-10 Notes: “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; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

Paul now readdresses the Jewish element in Rome with the “are we better than they?” question. Remember, many of these false arguments are coming from Jewish naysayers.

In verses 1-4, he has just debunked the false argument that Jews have no advantage, so one could then turn around and say, “Ok – we have an advantage; therefore, we must be better than they!”

“No – didn’t I prove to you in chapters 1 and 2 that all have sinned?” And, therefore, all are under the penalty of sin and we all need a Savior?”

Paul finishes thus second false argument rebuttal by quoting an Old Testament verse that even the Jewish naysayers would not deny, that is:

Psalm 14:1-7:

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. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

I will note that it is a fool that says no to God in any form that it takes.

Additional thoughts regarding false argument #2:

As Christians, we are past the Jewish false arguments that Paul is addressing but not their implied corollaries. Unfortunately, too many Christians, whether consciously or not, presume upon God’s winking at their sin claiming exactly what the Jews were saying: that God gives more grace so why not sin more and get even more grace?

The answer to that is simply put: God Forbid! It simply does not work that way and cannot be thus!

The closer I get to the cross, the uglier my sin becomes and the greater is my need for my Savior.

Those who choose to enjoy the pleasures of sin are what I have in the past called “Shadow Christians”. They love living in the shadows rather than in the light. They are comfortable with their sin, their conscience has been seared, and they have, at best, a strained relationship with God.

I close with this:

Ephesians 5:1-21:

Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Gilbrant, T. The Complete Biblical Library Interlinear Bible. World Library Press. (2020). Wordsearch Bible. [computer software]. Nashville, TN: LifeWay Christian Resources. (Original work published 1990)

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

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