(9-20) Once more the argument returns to the main track, and at last the Apostle asserts distinctly and categorically what he had already proved indirectly, that the Jew is every whit as bad as the Gentile. read more
(20) Therefore.—Rather, because. All mankind alike owe the penalty for their sins. Because not even the Law can protect its votaries. It has no power to justify. All it can do is to expose in its true colours the sinfulness of sin.The proposition is thrown into a general form: not by the works of the (Jewish) Law, but by “works of law”—i.e., by any works done in obedience to any law. Law, in the abstract, as such, is unable to justify. It might perhaps, we gather from later portions of the... read more
Romans 3:1-3 'The Jews,' says Heine, 'might well console themselves for the loss of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the Ark of the Covenant, the sacred jewels of the high priest, and the golden vases of Solomon. Such a loss is trifling compared with the Bible that indestructible treasure which they saved.' References. III. 1. H. S. Holland, Vital Values, p. 211. III. 1-8. Bishop Gore, The Epistle to the Romans, p. 114. III. 19. Expositor (5th Series), vol. vi. p. 66. III. 2. Ibid. (4th... read more
Chapter 8JEWISH CLAIMS: NO HOPE IN HUMAN MERITRomans 3:1-20As the Apostle dictates, there rises before his mind a figure often seen by his eyes, the Rabbinic disputant. Keen, subtle, unscrupulous, at once eagerly in earnest yet ready to use any argument for victory, how often that adversary had crossed his path, in Syria, in Asia Minor, in Macedonia, in Achaia! He is present now to his consciousness, within the quiet house of Gaius; and his questions come thick and fast, following on this... read more
CHAPTER 3:1-20 1. Objections and Their Answers. (Romans 3:1-8 .) 2. The Whole World Under Sin. (Romans 3:9-20 .) Romans 3:1-8 A number of objections are next raised and answered. “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?” Such would be the natural question of the Jew after reading the argument that the Jew is on the same level with the Gentile. This objection is stated here for the first time. It is important, for the Jews are God’s chosen people and as the... read more
3:20 Therefore by the {o} deeds of the law there shall no {p} flesh be {q} justified in his {r} sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.(o) By those deeds by which the law can be done by us.(p) Flesh is here taken for man, as in many other places, and furthermore has greater force here: for it is given to show the contrast between God and man: as if one would say, "Man, who is nothing else but a piece of flesh defiled with sin, and God, who is most pure and most perfect in himself."(q)... read more
What Advantage Has the Jew? Since God requires subjection of heart from the Jew, and at the same time honors a like subjection of heart in the Gentiles, the question arises, "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?" What value is there in the very institution of the system of Judaism - instituted, in fact, by God Himself? It is answered plainly, "Much every way: chiefly that unto them were committed the oracles of God." There is no argument here that this... read more
MAN LOST BY NATURE We saw in the last lesson that man if he would be saved must become righteous before God, and the righteousness which alone satisfies Him is that which he Himself supplies. We now learn what man’s condition is which makes this a necessity. In other words this lesson, constituting the second general division of the epistle, (1) gives us a Divine declaration about sin (Romans 1:18-21 ); (2) shows it to be punitive and degenerative in its effects (Romans 1:22-23 ); and (3)... read more
The Law of Faith Romans 3:0 What advantage then hath the Jew? ( Rom 3:1 ). Somebody must have an advantage. All men cannot begin at the same point. What is the advantage which God has allotted to some? Is it a vital difference, or is it only an initial privilege, carrying with it a great responsibility, and meant to be shared by all the world? Is God a partisan, a darling-maker? Has he made some men to be saved, and others to be damned? The Apostle undertakes to discuss these great questions,... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 3:1-31
The New Way of Acceptance with GodIn Romans 1, 2 St. Paul has shown that both Gentile and Jew have sinned wilfully, and are under God’s condemnation. He now digresses to Jewish objections against the gospel, which he had, no doubt, heard urged in synagogues (Romans 3:1-8). Returning to the main subject, he clinches his indictment of the Jew out of the Scriptures, and concludes that all the world is ’under the judgment of God’ (Romans 3:9-20).Having thus shown that man is sinful and lost, he now... read more