Israel's Advantage and God's Faithfulness
Romans 3:1-8
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Rom.3.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τι: PRON,nom,sg,neut
- ουν: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- περισσον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιουδαιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ωφελεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- περιτομης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Rom.2:25-29 (verbal): Paul earlier treats the question of circumcision’s true benefit, arguing that outward circumcision avails nothing apart from obedience and that true circumcision is of the heart.
- Rom.3:9 (structural): Immediate rhetorical continuation in Romans: Paul follows the question about Jewish advantage with a broader indictment (‘What then? Are we better?’), linking the inquiry to the universal need for justification.
- Gal.5:2-6 (thematic): Paul combats reliance on circumcision in Galatia, asserting that accepting circumcision nullifies Christ’s benefit and that justification rests on faith, not the rite.
- Phil.3:2-3 (thematic): Paul warns against confidence in the flesh and distinguishes true ‘circumcision’ (worship by the Spirit) from mere physical rite, echoing the argument about circumcision’s limited value.
- 1 Cor.7:19 (verbal): Paul states succinctly that ‘circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing,’ emphasizing obedience to God over the ritual—directly pertinent to the question of circumcision’s benefit.
Alternative generated candidates
- What then is the advantage of the Jew, or what is the value of circumcision?
- Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?
Rom.3.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πολυ: ADV
- κατα: PREP
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τροπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- πρωτον: ADV
- μεν: PART
- γαρ: PART
- οτι: CONJ
- επιστευθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- λογια: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 147:19-20 (verbal): Declares that God "declares his words to Jacob, his statutes and his rules to Israel," closely paralleling Paul’s claim that the Jews were entrusted with God’s words/oracles.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (thematic): Speaks of God establishing a testimony in Jacob and charging Israel to pass his statutes to their children—theme of Israel as recipients and custodians of divine revelation.
- 1 Peter 4:11 (verbal): Uses the phrase (or idea) of speaking "as the oracles/words of God" (Greek wording similar to λόγια θεοῦ), echoing the concept of God’s words as entrusted authoritative speech.
- Romans 9:4-5 (thematic): Paul’s own summary of Israel’s privileges (adoption, covenants, law, worship, promises) parallels Rom 3:2’s claim that the Jews have a chief advantage in being custodians of God’s oracles.
Alternative generated candidates
- Much in every way. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
- Much in every way. First of all, because they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
Rom.3.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ηπιστησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- μη: PART
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- απιστια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- καταργησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 3:1 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding question about the advantage of the Jew frames Paul’s broader argument about Jewish unbelief and God’s faithfulness.
- Romans 3:4 (quotation): Paul’s immediate answer—'Let God be true, and every man a liar'—asserts God’s faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness (Paul here quotes Scripture).
- 2 Timothy 2:13 (verbal): 'If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.' A near-verbal parallel teaching that human unbelief does not nullify God’s faithfulness.
- Titus 1:2 (thematic): Speaks of God, who cannot lie, having promised eternal life—emphasizes divine trustworthiness independent of human response.
- Hebrews 6:18 (thematic): Affirms God’s unchangeable purpose and oath as a guarantee, illustrating that God’s promises stand despite human failure or unbelief.
Alternative generated candidates
- What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify the faithfulness of God?
- What if some were faithless? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?
Rom.3.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- γενοιτο·γινεσθω: VERB,aor,mid,opt,3,sg+VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αληθης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ψευστης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- καθως: CONJ
- γεγραπται·Οπως: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg+CONJ
- αν: PART
- δικαιωθης: VERB,aor,pass,subj,2,sg
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- λογοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- νικησεις: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κρινεσθαι: VERB,pres,pass,inf
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
Parallels
- Psalm 51:4 (LXX) (quotation): Paul is directly citing the Septuagint wording behind this verse — 'That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged' — as scriptural backing for 'Let God be true, and every man a liar.'
- Numbers 23:19 (verbal): Explicitly affirms God's truthfulness contrasted with human falsehood: 'God is not a man, that he should lie,' providing a closely related Old Testament motif.
- Titus 1:2 (thematic): Speaks of God who 'cannot lie' and who promised eternal life, echoing the theme that God's truthfulness stands even when humans fail.
- Hebrews 6:18 (thematic): Declares that it is impossible for God to lie and that God confirmed his promise with an oath, reinforcing Paul's appeal to God's unchangeable truth against human unreliability.
- 2 Timothy 2:13 (thematic): 'If we are faithless, he remains faithful' — parallels the idea that human unfaithfulness (or falsehood) does not nullify God's truth and fidelity.
Alternative generated candidates
- By no means! Let God be true and every person a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words and prevail when you are judged.”
- By no means! Let God be true though every man be a liar, as it is written, “So that you may be justified in your words and prevail when you are judged.”
Rom.3.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αδικια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δικαιοσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- συνιστησιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ερουμεν: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,pl
- μη: PART
- αδικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- επιφερων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οργην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κατα: PREP
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 3:4 (verbal): Closely related rebuttal in the same argument: 'Let God be true, though every man be a liar'—affirms God's truth/righteousness despite human failure.
- Romans 3:7-8 (thematic): Directly develops the same objection and Paul's response—anticipates and refutes the claim that human sin might glorify God or justify doing evil for good.
- Romans 6:1-2 (thematic): Parallel rhetorical objection ('Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?') and Paul's categorical denial, addressing the moral implications of grace and sin.
- Romans 9:14 (verbal): Same rhetorical question ('What shall we say? Is God unjust?') used elsewhere in Paul to reject the charge that God's actions are unrighteous.
- Job 34:12 (thematic): Old Testament affirmation that God does not act wickedly or pervert justice—provides theological background for denying that God is unjust when human sin exists.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if our unrighteousness highlights God’s righteousness, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak in human terms.)
- But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)
Rom.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- γενοιτο·επει: VERB,aor,mid,opt,3,sg+CONJ
- πως: ADV
- κρινει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κοσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Rom.3.4 (verbal): Immediate context and direct rejoinder to the same objection — Paul insists 'May it never be!' and defends God's truthfulness/justice against human unfaithfulness.
- Acts 17:31 (thematic): Paul elsewhere affirms that God 'has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness,' addressing how God will judge the world.
- Rom.2.16 (structural): Parallel in Paul’s argument about divine judgment — 'God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ,' showing how God’s judgment of the world is conceived in Romans.
- John 5:22 (thematic): Jesus teaches that the Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, a related claim about how divine judgment of the world is executed.
- Psalm 96:13 (allusion): Old Testament background: 'For he comes, for he comes to judge the earth... he will judge the world in righteousness,' which Paul echoes thematically when discussing God's judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- By no means! For then how would God judge the world?
- By no means! For then how will God judge the world?
Rom.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αληθεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- εμω: PRON,poss,dat,1,sg,m
- ψευσματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- επερισσευσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ετι: ADV
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- ως: ADV
- αμαρτωλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κρινομαι: VERB,pres,pass,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Rom.3.3 (thematic): Same line of argument: human unfaithfulness or falsehood cannot nullify the faithfulness/truth of God; Paul anticipates and answers the charge that human sin undermines God’s truth.
- Rom.3.4 (verbal): Closely connected verse in the same argument: contrasts 'God be true, and every man a liar' and insists God is justified in his sayings even when humans lie—background for the question in 3:7.
- Psalm 51:4 (allusion): Psalm cited elsewhere in Romans 3 (and resonant here): God is justified/proved righteous in his words and judgments even when humans sin—basis for Paul’s claim about God’s truth abounding despite a lie.
- 2 Tim.2:13 (thematic): Parallel theological principle: human faithlessness does not make God faithless—God remains faithful when humans fail, which undergirds Paul’s point about God’s truth persisting amid human falsehood.
- Heb.6:18 (thematic): Affirms the inviolability of God’s truth ('it is impossible for God to lie'), supporting the idea that God’s truth/glory can stand even when human statements are false.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounded to his glory, why am I still judged as a sinner?
- For if through my lie God’s truth abounded to his glory, why am I still judged as a sinner?
Rom.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- καθως: CONJ
- βλασφημουμεθα: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,pl
- και: CONJ
- καθως: CONJ
- φασιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- λεγειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- οτι: CONJ
- Ποιησωμεν: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,pl
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- κακα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ινα: CONJ
- ελθη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αγαθα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κριμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ενδικον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 3:7 (verbal): Immediate context: Paul raises the objection that God’s truth is shown by human falsehood; v.8 continues the related slander that Paul’s teaching would be an argument to ‘do evil that good may come.’
- Romans 6:1 (thematic): The same charge reappears as a rhetorical objection: “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” — identical theme of doing evil so that good (grace) results.
- Romans 6:15 (thematic): Paul’s direct repudiation of the idea that freedom from the law permits sin: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” — echoes the condemnation of the charge in 3:8.
- Galatians 2:17-21 (thematic): Paul addresses a similar implication that his gospel encourages sin or inconsistency (e.g., ‘If I rebuild what I tore down…’ and ‘If righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing’), rebutting accusations that justification promotes wrongdoing.
Alternative generated candidates
- And why not say—just as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.
- And why not say—as some slanderously allege that we say—“Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved.
What then is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?
Much in every respect. First, that to them were entrusted the very words of God.
What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means.
Rather, let God be true and every human a liar, as it is written, 'That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.' But if our unrighteousness serves to show God's righteousness, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak in human terms.)
By no means! For how then will God judge the world?
If, moreover, the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? And why not say—as some slanderously charge us—'Let us do evil that good may come'? Their condemnation is deserved.