Romans 3:1-20
All Sinned and Fall short
This passage teaches that humanity has completely failed to reach God. Paul introduces a dialogue between himself and a Jew, but in fact, it’s a monologue presentation. Paul refers to the rejection of the Jews because they had rejected Christ and the way of salvation available through Christ. Paul proves their guilt through their own scriptural references.
Romans 3:1-8 Without Christ Jews are nothing
Paul says that God is faithful gave them his faithful words through Moses. God has put his trust in them and entrusted with them his powerful words. God is always true and men are always liars. Never ever the faithless men can overpower the truth of God. Paul wants to remind the Jews that their special position in God demands a special responsibility. Privileges always go with obedience and carrying out duties. Christians also claim their special status on the earth as chosen through Jesus Christ. So, a special life must be exhibited before others in speech, and deeds. The rejection of Jews, shutting the door of blessings means passing on to Gentiles. Human errors magnify the magnanimous act of God. However, it can’t serve as an excuse to keep sinning and disobeying the call of God. The world evangelization was entrusted to Jews but because of their rejection, it has gone to the hands of the Gentiles. Paul wants to put clearly to his reader of the Epistle that the root of all sin is disobedience and if once a man has sinned, he displays amazing ingenuity of justifying his sin.
Romans 3:9-20 Without Christ Gentiles are nothing
Jew and a gentile share the same platform of sinner hood. As long as they are without Christ means they are under the clutches of Sin. The sin makes everyone slave to its power, the devil. Paul writes there is no righteous, not even one. There is no understanding, no one seeks God. This is the status of humanity irrespective of religious lights and truths. The nature of the humanity he further describes as Mind is corrupt, throats are open graves, tongues practice deceit, the poison of vipers is on their lips, the mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, feet are swift to shed blood and there is no fear of God before their eyes. Paul quoted from Psalms 14:1-3, 53:1-3. They had gone into a bad situation. Their milk turns sour. They became rotten eggs. Three things happen without Christ. The character changed, confession changed, and conduct changed into worst (Romans 2:12). “There are two great truths: I am a great sinner and Jesus Christ is a great Saviour.” Paul believed that man without Christ is bad but he never believed that they are not too bad to be saved. He believed that what Christ has done for him he will do the same to all. Law is good but you can never satisfy it. So, Christ has come to keep the Law and give us grace through forgiveness.
Discussions:
1. Discuss the privileges and responsibilities of Jews versus Christians.
2. Discuss the place of Law and the Gospel.
