Lockman - Bible questions and answers

		Rom 3:1 Then what is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?
		Rom 3:2 Great in every respect. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God [His very words]. [Ps 147:19]
		Rom 3:3 What then? If some did not believe or were unfaithful [to God], their lack of belief will not nullify and make invalid the faithfulness of God and His word, will it?
		Rom 3:4 Certainly not! Let God be found true [as He will be], though every person be found a liar, just as it is written [in Scripture], "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED [by sinful men]." [Ps 51:4]
		Rom 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God is not wrong to inflict His wrath [on us], is He? (I am speaking in purely human terms.)
		Rom 3:6 Certainly not! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?
		Rom 3:7 But [as you might say] if through my lie God's truth was magnified and abounded to His glory, why am I still being judged as a sinner?
		Rom 3:8 And why not say, (as some slanderously report and claim that we teach) "Let us do evil so that good may come of it"? Their condemnation [by God] is just.
		Rom 3:9 ¶ Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power.
		Rom 3:10 As it is written and forever remains written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS [none that meets God's standard], NOT EVEN ONE. [Ps 14:3]
		Rom 3:11 "THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD. [Ps 14:2]
		Rom 3:12 "ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NO, NOT ONE." [Ps 53:1-3]
		Rom 3:13 "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE; THEY [habitually] DECEIVE WITH THEIR TONGUES." "THE VENOM OF ASPS IS BENEATH THEIR LIPS." [Ps 5:9; 140:3]
		Rom 3:14 "THEIR MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS." [Ps 10:7]
		Rom 3:15 "THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
		Rom 3:16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
		Rom 3:17 AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN THE PATH OF PEACE." [Is 59:7, 8]
		Rom 3:18 "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD [and His awesome power] BEFORE THEIR EYES." [Ps 36:1]
		Rom 3:19 ¶ Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment].
		Rom 3:20 For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].
		Rom 3:21 ¶ But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets.
		Rom 3:22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God's Son]. There is no distinction, [1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28]
		Rom 3:23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,
		Rom 3:24 and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
		Rom 3:25 whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus' crucifixion].
		Rom 3:26 It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].
		Rom 3:27 ¶ Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith.
		Rom 3:28 For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God].
		Rom 3:29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not also the God of Gentiles [who were not given the Law]? Yes, of Gentiles also,
		Rom 3:30 since indeed it is one [and the same] God who will justify the circumcised by faith [which began with Abraham] and the uncircumcised through [their newly acquired] faith.
		Rom 3:31 ¶ Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].

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