“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”
Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: 'So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judged.' The quotation from Psalm 51:4 establishes that God's truthfulness (alēthēs) and justice emerge through human condemnation. Human unreliability (pseudomai) cannot undermine divine faithfulness. God's character stands independent of human performance; his righteousness is vindicated precisely through the judgment of sin.
Church Fathers on Romans 3:4
“God forbid.” The word ἐ πιστεύθησαν, then, proclaims God's gift. And I would have you here also note his judgment. For again he does not bring in his accusation of them on his own part, but as it were by way of objection, as if he said, But perhaps you will say, 'What then is the use of this circumcision since they used it not as was fitting, since they were trusted with the Law and were unfaithful to the trust?' And hitherto he is not a severe accuser, but as if to clear…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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