Biblia Todo Logo
Cross References
- Advertisements -




Romans 3:5

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Now if our wrongdoing serves to emphasize more clearly that God does what is right, what should we say about that? Is God being unjust for sending [His] wrath [on the world]? (I am raising a human objection).

See the chapter Copy

32 Cross References  

But [Prov. 25:21-25 says], “Feed your enemy if he is hungry; give him something to drink if he is thirsty. For when you do this, it will be [like] heaping burning coals on his head.” [i.e., it can cause him burning shame that can lead to his repentance and ultimate forgiveness].

But your stubbornness and refusal to repent are storing up wrath [i.e., punishment] for yourselves, [to be experienced] on the Day of Wrath [i.e., the Day of Judgment] when God’s just judgment will be revealed.

Now we [all] know that everything the law says applies to those who are under [obligation to obey] that law, [Note: Here “the law” appears to refer to the Old Testament Scriptures generally, since Psalms and Isaiah are quoted. See verses 10-18]. This is so that the mouth of every objector may be stopped [i.e., from making excuses for his sin], and thereby bring the entire world under God’s judgment [i.e., both Jews and Gentiles].

But if my “lie” [i.e., as you Jews call it] would result in God’s truthfulness [about you Jews] increasing the honor He receives, why am I also still judged to be a sinner [by you]?

What should we say then [about what] our forefather Abraham discovered?

Since we are now made right with God by the blood of Christ [i.e., by His dying on the cross], how much more certain it is that we will be saved from God’s wrath [in the future] by Him!

What shall we say, then? Should we continue sinning so that more of God’s unearned favor will [have to] be shown?

I am using human reasoning because of your human weakness. For just as you once offered the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to wickedness, which led to further wickedness; so now [you should] offer the parts of your body as slaves to do what is right, which leads to holy living.

What shall we say then? Is the Law of Moses sinful? Certainly not! For I would not have known what sin was if it had not been for the law. For [example]; I would not have known [what it meant] to covet [i.e., have a strong desire for what belongs to someone else] except that the law said [Ex. 20:17], “You must not covet.”

What then should we conclude from this? [Just this]: If God is on our side, who can [successfully] oppose us?

What shall we say then? [Simply this]: That the Gentiles, who did not attempt to become right with God [by how they lived] were made right with God, and this was the result of their faith [in Christ].

What benefit was it to me, from a human standpoint, if I fought wild animals in Ephesus, and [yet] the dead are not raised? [Note: This probably refers to Paul facing ferocious opposition from people there in Ephesus]. We should [just] eat and drink, for tomorrow we [may] die.

Do I say these things from a purely human standpoint, or does not the Law of Moses also teach the same thing?

But, as ministers of God, we [try to] commend ourselves [to others] in every way. [We do this] by [our] great steadfastness in troubles, hardships and difficulties.

See how the very fact that you were made sorry from a godly motive has produced earnestness in you! [It produced] a desire to vindicate yourselves [i.e., by making amends for your wrongdoing]; an attitude of just anger [i.e., toward the wrongdoers]; a sense of fear [i.e., a fear of God for doing wrong]; an eager desire [i.e., to do the right thing]; a zeal [i.e., to correct problems]; and an attitude of avenging [i.e., that punished the wrongdoer]. You demonstrated in everything [you did] that you were pure [i.e., innocent] in this matter. [Note: This whole description of their conduct appears to be a reference to the incident mentioned in 2:1- 11].

For if I try to build up again what I had already destroyed [i.e., by returning to depend on compliance with the Law of Moses to become right with God, after having rejected this system by trusting in Christ to save me], I would certainly be guilty of sin.

Brothers, I will use an illustration from the way people deal with each other: Even though an agreement is made between people, once it is finally settled, no one can cancel it or include additional provisions to it.

And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. [The words were], “Your deeds are great and marvelous, O Lord, God Almighty; your ways are just and true, O King of the nations [or, “ages”].

Be glad, heaven, and you saints, and you apostles, and you prophets, for God has brought judgment on her for you [i.e., for the way she treated you].




Follow us:

Advertisements


Advertisements