“But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)”
But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? I am using a human argument. Paul anticipates an objection: Does not God's justice become apparent through human sin? Does punishing human unrighteousness become unjust? The parenthetical disclaimer signals that Paul is about to reject this antinomian logic.
Church Fathers on Romans 3:5
“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
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!