How does Romans 3:6 affirm God's justice in judging the world? Setting the Stage • Paul has just posed the objection that if human sin highlights God’s righteousness, God would be unjust to inflict wrath (Romans 3:5). • Romans 3:6 is his immediate rebuttal—short, pointed, and decisive. Key Verse “Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?” (Romans 3:6) Affirming God’s Justice • A resounding “Certainly not!”—Paul flatly rejects any thought that God could be unjust. • Universal expectation—both Jews and Gentiles assumed a final judgment; Paul taps into that shared conviction: if God were unfair, the whole concept of judgment collapses. • Moral necessity—God’s role as Judge is inseparable from His holy nature; to deny His justice would deny who He is. • Logical coherence—if God tolerated injustice in Himself, He would forfeit the right to hold anyone accountable. • Assurance of accountability—Romans 3:6 guarantees every act will be weighed by a perfectly righteous standard. Complementary Passages • Genesis 18:25: “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”—Abraham’s confidence mirrors Paul’s logic. • Psalm 9:7-8: “He has established His throne for judgment… He judges the world with justice.” • Acts 17:31: God “has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed.” • 2 Corinthians 5:10: “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” • Revelation 20:11-12: the great white throne scene underscores the certainty and righteousness of that judgment. Living Implications • Confidence—believers rest in a Judge who is incapable of error or bias. • Sobriety—every choice matters because God’s judgment is real and inescapable. • Evangelistic urgency—since judgment is certain, the gospel message is essential for all. • Worship—God’s flawless justice fuels reverent awe and gratitude for the salvation He provides in Christ. |
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