How could a Moral Person be ‘Under Sin’?
1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. 3What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4Not 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 judge.” 5But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just! 9What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.
Romans 3:1–9 (NIV)
In Romans 3:1-20, Paul continues his argument that no one can be declared righteous before God by observing the law. He anticipates and addresses potential objections from those in the Roman church with a Jewish background, engaging in a Q&A style dialogue to meet them where they are at:
Q: Paul, are you saying there is no advantage to biblical religion (Rom. 3:1)?
A: No, I’m not saying that. There is great value in having and knowing the words of God (Rom. 3:2).
Q: Yes, but those words have failed, haven’t they, because so many haven’t believed the gospel of righteousness revealed in God’s Son Jesus. What has happened to the promises (Rom. 3:3a)?
A: Despite his people’s failure to believe, God’s promises to save are advancing. Our faithlessness only reveals how committed to his truth he is (think of what he’s done in order to be faithful to his promises!) (Rom. 3:3b–4).
Q: But if unrighteousness is necessary for God’s righteousness to be seen, how is it fair for him to judge us (Rom. 3:5)?
A: On that basis, God would not judge anyone in the world. And we (ie: Paul and religious Jews) all agree God should judge (Rom. 3:6).
Q: Well then, if me sinning makes God look better, that means that I should sin more, shouldn’t I, so that his glory is more clearly seen (Rom. 3:7–8)?
A: I’ve been accused of thinking this, and I certainly don’t. And saying you’re sinning so that God will love you is an attitude that is absolutely worthy of judgment (Rom. 3:8).
Q: What shall we conclude then? (Rom. 3:9).
Here is where Paul has been leading us since Rom. 1:18. And the conclusion is: everyone is “under sin”! To be “under sin” is a legal term meaning we are citizens of sin, while unrighteousness refers to our wrong standing before God and others. Although this doesn’t mean every person is equally sinful, Paul argues we are all in the same lost condition.
Imagine three people trying to swim from Hawaii to Japan. One can’t swim at all and sinks immediately. Another is a weak swimmer who drowns after 60 feet. The third is a championship swimmer who makes it 50 miles before drowning. In the end, none come close to reaching Japan and all are equally dead. Similarly, the religious person trusting in morality and the pagan indulging in sensuality are both far from a righteous heart. They are equally lost and condemned to perish, all “under sin.”
Paul’s argument strips away any grounds we may think we have for being right in God’s sight. The only solution is to turn from trusting in our own goodness and trusting wholly in Christ can any person be made right with God.
If all people, regardless of background or moral standing, are equally “under sin” and in need of God’s grace, then how should this truth shape the way we view ourselves and others?
[The ideas for this week’s materials on Romans 3:1-20 were drawn from Tim Keller’s book “Romans 1-7 for You“]
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The fact that all people are equally “under sin” and in need of God’s grace shapes the way we view ourselves and others in that none of us are any better or worse than anyone else- we are all just sinners in need of a Savior. As a matter of fact, even those of us that have trusted in Christ and obtained salvation through faith in Him are still no better than those that haven’t, for it is all by God’s grace alone. I am no better nor worse than anyone else, no matter what our background, moral standing, social status, nor any other observable measure of worth that we often use to differentiate ourselves. This fact has served to change the way I view myself and others, and ultimately the way I treat people. I always used to think to myself either, “I’m not that bad,” or “they’re not as bad as me!” But the truth is, we are all just sinners in dire need of the grace of God, without which each of us is doomed to eternal condemnation. This frees us and motivates us to show others the same grace that has been so freely given to us- no matter who it might be, where they might stand, or what they may have done.
What amazes me is how much the early Jews and we are alike (in our sinful nature :-)). These questions Paul is answering here are the exact same questions that are still asked today. Especially true with newly reborn children of God. I certainly asked exactly these same questions to Bumble. I’m pretty sure Bumble pointed me to Paul passages but I didn’t understand it then and though I read these passages before, it was not until this time that I recognize the parallels in the ancient debates and my own attempt to find the “loop holes” as Pastor Tony pointed out. I kind of got the ideas before – intellectually at least – that we are all “sinners” equal under God but not until I experienced for myself how unrepentant I am – no matter how much I “try”, I’m incapable of doing it.
One thing different from when I had not been given the Lord’s Words and now is that before the Words and before I recognized the Spirit at work, I can justify my sins to myself, but afterward, there is no hiding my shame! I know the Lord is watching and I can’t hide who I really am to God and to myself anymore.
I see who I am and how underserving I am so on what ground do I have to judge others if I’m honest with myself? I am no better than anyone else in this world. I do feel sadness for those who do not yet know the Words because they have a harder time to come to the Lord. I can only pray that He will extend His faithfulness and grace to them before it is too late. When I first realized this, I felt a great need to reach out and help spread the Words as I know anyone of us probably felt when we each reached this realization. But after a few times I tried on my own and failed, I also come to see how helpless I am to even do what is actually GOOD. I am helpless without the Lord. Only He can save and I can only hope to stand by His side to witness His grace and His work.
Without the Spirit work, no one can ever come to the Lord. For me, only under desperation can the Spirit gets through my own self absorption to reach me. It is only through the Lord’s grace can we be called to him – Eph 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” He was working to save me long before I know Him and I am so grateful for that Lord!