What does "let God be true, and every man a liar" mean? Setting the Scene: Paul’s Bold Statement Romans 3 confronts the objection that some Jews’ unbelief might cancel God’s covenant promises. Paul answers: • Romans 3:3–4: “What if some did not believe? Will their unbelief nullify God’s faithfulness? Absolutely not! ‘Let God be true and every man a liar,’ as it is written: ‘So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.’” • Paul quotes Psalm 51:4, where David confesses sin so God’s judgments stand vindicated. • The phrase underscores that God’s character and Word stand firm, regardless of human response. Understanding the Phrase • “Let God be true” expresses God’s unwavering, flawless reliability. • “Every man a liar” highlights universal human fallenness; compared with God’s perfection, all people prove untrustworthy. • The contrast is absolute: if human opinion conflicts with divine revelation, God’s verdict prevails. Scriptural Foundation for God’s Unchanging Truth • Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, that He should lie...” • Titus 1:2: “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” • Hebrews 6:18: “it is impossible for God to lie.” • Psalm 119:160: “The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.” • John 17:17: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” • James 1:17: “...the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” These passages reinforce that God’s nature and speech are immutably true. Why Every Man Is a Liar • Psalm 116:11: “I said in my alarm, ‘All men are liars.’” • Romans 3:10–12: “There is no one righteous, not even one...” • Sin affects every aspect of humanity—including honesty, perception, and reliability. • Even sincere people can err, deceive, or be deceived; only God’s Word escapes this frailty. Implications for Daily Life • Trust Scripture over shifting human philosophies, traditions, or feelings. • Test every claim—cultural, academic, religious—against the plain teaching of the Bible. • Rest in God’s promises; they do not depend on majority opinion or personal worthiness. • Cultivate humility: acknowledge personal limitations and cling to divine truth. • Speak truthfully, reflecting God’s character, but remember your own fallibility. Holding Fast to God’s Word Practical ways to live out Romans 3:4: 1. Daily reading: let God speak first, shaping all other input. 2. Memorization: store unchanging truth in your heart (Psalm 119:11). 3. Confession: when Scripture exposes error, agree with God quickly. 4. Fellowship: surround yourself with believers who sharpen one another in the Word (Proverbs 27:17). 5. Proclamation: share God’s reliable gospel, recognizing human opinions shift, but His salvation plan stands firm (1 Peter 1:25). Key Takeaways • God’s truth is absolute; human assertions are provisional. • Scripture’s reliability flows from God’s flawless character. • Romans 3:4 calls believers to submit every thought, feeling, and tradition to the verdict of the Bible. |
    |