What does Romans 3:5 reveal about God's justice and our sinful nature? Setting the Scene • Paul is addressing objections he anticipates from his readers. • He acknowledges that human sin can, ironically, showcase God’s flawless righteousness. • He immediately rejects any hint that this makes God unjust for judging sin. Reading the Verse Romans 3:5: “But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? (I am speaking in human terms.)” God’s Justice Unveiled • God’s wrath is the rightful response to sin, never a moral blemish on Him. • Sin serves as a dark backdrop, allowing God’s holiness to shine more brightly, yet His justice remains uncompromised. • Romans 3:4 reminds us, “Let God be true and every man a liar,” underscoring that any charge of injustice against Him fails automatically. • Psalm 51:4 models David’s confession: “so that You may be justified in Your words and blameless in Your judgment,” confirming God’s verdicts are always right. Our Sinful Nature Exposed • “Our unrighteousness” (ἀδικία) is not occasional misstep but deep-rooted corruption (cf. Romans 3:23). • The verse exposes a common human defense: if my sin showcases God’s righteousness, why blame me? Paul calls this “human terms,” showing it springs from fallen logic. • 1 John 1:8 cautions, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,” reinforcing the universality of guilt. Why Wrath Is Right • Romans 1:18 affirms that wrath targets “all ungodliness and unrighteousness.” • Justice demands consequences; holiness would be compromised if God ignored evil. • Any benefit God brings out of sin’s ugliness (e.g., magnifying grace) does not lessen sin’s guilt or eliminate judgment. • Romans 6:23 points to the sobering consequence—“the wages of sin is death”—yet pairs it with the hope of mercy through Christ. Living in the Light of This Truth • Confess rather than rationalize; like David, agree with God about sin’s seriousness. • Marvel that the same justice that condemns sin also sent Christ to bear that condemnation (Romans 5:8). • Walk in humility, recognizing that any display of God’s righteousness through our failure is grace, never grounds for self-justification. |
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