What does "Let God be true, and every man a liar" imply about human nature? Romans 3:4 — “Let God be true, and every man a liar” Text and Immediate Context Romans 3:4 : “Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: ‘So that You may be proved right in Your words and prevail when You judge.’” Paul confronts an objection: if some Israelites were faithless, has God’s covenant failed? His answer roots all trustworthiness in God, never in fallen humanity (cf. Psalm 51:4). Linguistic and Exegetical Notes • “Let…be” (γένοιτο) expresses decisive rejection of the contrary idea. • “True” (ἀληθής) denotes absolute reliability. • “Liar” (ψεύστης) is categorical, echoing Psalm 116:11. The contrast is ontological, not merely moral: God is the source of truth; humans, since the Fall, are permeated with falsehood (Genesis 3:4-5; John 8:44). Biblical Survey of Man’s Unreliability • Patriarchal Era: Abraham’s half-truths (Genesis 12:13; 20:2). • Monarchy: David’s manipulation (2 Samuel 11). • Prophetic Testimony: “Truth has stumbled in the streets” (Isaiah 59:14). • New Testament: Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:74). Every stratum of redemptive history confirms Romans 3:4. Theological Synthesis: Total Depravity Total depravity does not mean utter absence of good impulses but the pervasive reach of sin into mind, will, emotions, and body. Hence, no human estimation can override divine testimony (1 Corinthians 1:25). Corroboration from Behavioral Science Modern studies on cognitive bias—confirmation bias, motivated reasoning, self-serving bias—reinforce Scripture’s diagnosis. Experiments by Kahneman & Tversky show systematic errors in human judgment. These findings align with Paul’s assessment: left to itself, human cognition drifts from truth. Historical Illustrations a. Council of Worms (1521): Luther’s “Here I stand” mirrored Paul, subordinating imperial and ecclesial voices to God’s Word. b. Galileo Affair: ultimate resolution affirmed that when human interpretation clashes with divine revelation rightly understood, the latter stands. Relation to the Resurrection of Christ The empty tomb and post-resurrection appearances (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) publicly vindicate Jesus as “the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14). God’s factual triumph over death exposes the falsehood of all contrary human claims (Acts 17:31). Implications for Salvation and Daily Living • Conversion demands renouncing self-justification, trusting God’s veracity about sin and grace (Romans 10:9-10). • Sanctification progresses as believers continually align thoughts with Scripture (John 17:17). • Evangelism rests on God’s truthfulness; results depend on His Spirit, not human eloquence (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Objections Answered Q: “Aren’t humans capable of truth?” A: Yes, by common grace, yet every assertion must be measured against God’s revelation (Acts 17:11). Q: “Does this breed mistrust?” A: It breeds humility, recognizing both one’s own fallibility and the necessity of divine wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6). Conclusion “Let God be true, and every man a liar” unveils humanity’s universal propensity toward error and deceit, magnifies God as the solitary fountain of truth, and summons every person to bow before His authoritative Word, culminating in trust in the risen Christ for salvation and lifelong transformation. |
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