Romans 3:19-20 - Bound by Law

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

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The Law is Still There. But, We Are Under a New System

V. 19 - “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

“whatever the Law says” - Gentiles are not responsible to follow the commands of the Law. The Law was provided to the Jews. The Gentile world does not need to complain about the Law, and the difficulty of following the Law - it does not apply to Gentiles. This does not mean that Gentiles may live and do as they please, violating all principles of the Law, getting away scot-free. 

all the world may become accountable to God” - How can the world be held responsible if the Law does not apply? It could be argued that people may not know and understand what God requires of us if the Law was not written down. That may be weak, but it will be used. Now there is no excuse, so shut your mouth, quit complaining. The information is available to any who would look for it. “The truth is out there.” (See note 1) What it, the Law, does show is that God has standards of behavior and living for humans. Only in the Law is it clearly spelled out. 

V. 20 - because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

“through the Law comes the knowledge of sin” - We see the foundation of moral law, starting with the 10 commandments . We see how to relate to people through the ‘civil’ portion of the Law. Sin has been defined as active rebellion or passive indifference to God’s laws. There could easily be a warning at the beginning of the Law: “Sins include, but are not limited to the following:”. 

Sinful acts are shown to be lying, murder, adultery, stealing, respect, false worship, etc.
Now you know.
If you want to say, “But, what about...” you are trying to parse the commands to rationalize your behavior.

Dr. Toussaint from Dallas Theological Seminary points out the Law has three (3) parts:
Ceremonial - sacrifices, offerings, etc.;
Civil - governing the nation of Israel;
Moral - the 10 Commandments (he calls this ‘theonomic reconstruction’).
This is the Old Testament system. Even though nine of the Ten Commandments are written in the New Testament, we are not under any of it. The New Covenant is a different system. The Old Covenant offered no enablement. What the Law could not do was provide a way to flee to grace. We flee to grace through the cross to eternal life.

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Note 1: quoted from “X Files” TV series.
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Romans 3:9-18 - No Fear of God

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;
10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."
13 "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING," "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS";
14 "WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS";
15 "THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN."
18 "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."

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All Are Under Sin

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V. 9 - “Are we better than they?” - I struggled for a while with this statement. Who is the ‘they’? Who is the “we”? Look at the line of argument in 1:18 - 2:29. The world (Gentiles) is depraved. The Jews are without excuse. Their history, their Law and circumcision are of no benefit. The last statement is hyperbole - The Law cannot and does not save your soul for eternal life. The Law does emphasize that God's grace is needed - grace provided Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Does that make Christians better than Gentiles or Jews? Are Jews better than Gentiles?

“Not at all.” - That was simple. Does it matter if someone is Jewish or not? No. Does it matter if you are an American, or Canadian, or German, or Arab, or Hispanic, or Indian, or Black, or Asian? Of course not. We all stand before God without hope except for Jesus Christ.

Verses 3:10-18 are all quotes from the Old Testament, Psalms and Isaiah, to show that no one is innocent of sin.

V. 10 - Quoted from Psa. 14:1-3, 53:1-3. No one does good. No one understands God.

V. 11-12 - Quoted from Psa. 14:2, 3. Everyone turns away from God. All their efforts to meet God’s standards are useless.

V. 13 - Quoted from Psa. 5:9, and Psa. 140:3. Because they do not understand God, they are lying to themselves and others. Nothing good comes from an open grave.

V. 14 - Quoted from Psa. 10:7.

V. 15-16 - Quoted from Isa. 59:7. Like marauding bandits, they cause people to die. Because of their teachings, we are led away from saving grace.

V. 17 - Quoted from Isa, 59:8. In Christ we have the peace of God and peace with God. There is no other path.

V. 18 - Quoted from Psa. 36:1. They do not understand God (v. 13, above) They do not know they are in danger. Not recognizing their impending doom, there is no fear. If you step to the edge of the Grand Canyon there is a slight frisson, for you know a misstep would lead to a fall and death. For some reason they do not sense the danger.

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Romans 3:3-8 - Our Unrighteousness Demonstrates Our Need

3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?
4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED."
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)
6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?
7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?
8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just.

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V. 3 - “What then?” - Paul asks a relevant question, “ So what if I don’t believe in God? Doesn’t that mean His judgements have no meaning or consequence for me?”

Are you kidding me?!

“nullify the faithfulness of God” - This attitude, “What does it matter if you think I am depraved? It’s just your opinion. Besides, you said not to judge. So, don’t judge me! It is only my opinion of myself and my actions that matter.” This is the stuff of folly. We think we are the ultimate end of all creation, we make the final decision. There is no other opinion to consider. In effect we “nullify” God.

The meaning of “nullify” is to invalidate, or to make an action ineffective or useless. God has said He will bring judgement to those who sin against Him. (Ultimately, all sin is against God, not just your fellowman.) Do you think your choice to reject Him will stop that judgement from being enacted?
Does God say, “Oh, you don’t believe in Me? Okay. I guess I will let that slide.” That makes no sense. God cannot go against His own rulings and laws. He has said, “The person who sins will die.” (Eze. 18:4, 20) He also said, “The person who lives righteously will live.” (Eze. 18:21) Equally important, "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num. 23:19) He said it. He will make it so.

V. 4 - “May it never be!” - An emphatic, “NO!” Or, “Not only, no, but H___ No!” Just as there are laws that govern the physical universe, there are laws that govern the spiritual universe. I cannot step off a 10th floor balcony into thin air because I decide I don’t believe in gravity. It does not end well for me, and will always be so. Denying the sovereignty of God cannot end well for us.
Do not try to convince yourself you are worthy because of how 'good' you are. God's laws are inviolable. It is only through Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven, and there we can stand before the Lord without fear, in perfect peace. We are safe; we are saved there in Christ.

“let God be found true” - I don’t think this is an appeal to put God on trial. This is not, “Is God telling the truth?” Instead, open your eyes and see that God is true. Open your hearts and know within your soul and spirit God means what He says. Believe God is Holy and Righteous.

Are you going to believe God, or people around you denouncing God? Paul uses quotes from Psa. 116:11 (... all men are liars.), and Psa. 51:4 - (when You judge, You will be found righteous and justified. ) to answer the question.
We will only be able to meekly say, “You are correct, Almighty God!”, when we stand before His throne and He lays out our sins for all to see. At that point we can fall to our knees and worship because Jesus has paid the penalty. He died that we may live. He rose to life that we may live with Him. "And all the people said, 'Amen!'"

V. 5 - “if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God” - It does! The comparison is a 4th of July sparkler to a thermonuclear blast; a candle on a hill, to the noonday sun. Those comparisons are too weak.

We have the ‘purity of the driven slush’ (* see note 1, below.). There is no impurity in Him.

“God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He?” - What is mental image of ‘wrath’? Rage, vengeance, wanton destruction, anger run wild? God’s judgement is often called ‘wrath’ in scripture. (See: John 3:36) We want to see ‘justice’ in our American jurisprudence system. Most want the bad guys to be found guilty and punished; the innocent to be found not guilty and have no blot on their record. We want the justice system to be fair and correct. We want the justice system to be honest; the judgments trustworthy. If we think the judges are dishonest, we can’t trust the sentences announced. This brings us to the next verse.

V. 6 - “how will God judge the world?” - If God is not righteous, is He any different than a human? If no different than a human, how are His judgements valid?
l God is not a human. He is a Holy and Righteous God! (See: Lev. 11:44-45)... He will judge everything! (See: Eccl. 12:13-14; Heb. 4:13)
God is bigger than the world. We cannot pass judgement on Him.

V. 7 - “But if through my lie the truth of God abounded” - Look back to verse 3:4 where every one is identified as a liar. What is the lie? Here are a few: “We aren’t depraved.” “We don’t deserve judgement.“ “We are Jews, and therefore are good.” 
The truth is, we are all lost to sin, with no escape on our own.

“why am I also still being judged as a sinner?” - So, if God is holy and righteous and I am held captive by sin of which I cannot escape, why is God holding it against me? The cry is, “It’s not my fault!” I think Paul is guiding us to the understanding that starting or being in sin is not the only problem. Staying in sin is the problem. God has provided the means to escape the sin. If you reject His offer, the problem is you, not God.

V. 8 - "Let us do evil that good may come" - Basically, it goes like this: “If we need God’s grace and forgiveness for the little bit (!) of sin we have done, then think of how much more grace will come if we really go over the top. If forgiveness is needed because I am angry at the idiot driver on the freeway, think of how much more forgiveness is given if I kill someone. Why stop at one, why not kill hundreds, thousands? Then I will know I have ‘earned’ the grace!”

This is a perverse line of reasoning. 

The human mind reasons: “This sin is worse than that sin.” We see gradations. God does not. God does not demand we be good, but that we be perfect, blameless. We know murder is bad and deserves judgement. God's standard is beyond our reach: don’t even be angry with another person. (Matt. 5:21-22) We know adultery is bad and deserves judgement. Again, the standard is far beyond our ability to attain it: don’t even have lustful thoughts. (Matt. 5:27, 28)

We fall woefully short of perfection.

“Their condemnation is just.” - A strong, angry statement. Paul is responding to an attack on his character and authority as an apostle. Someone in Rome is accusing Paul of condoning hedonism in order to get more grace from Jesus. He has been slandered. This is similar to his letter to the Galatians. (See: Gal. 1:8-9; 5:12), and sounds exactly like a judgment. Compare this statement to Rom. 2:1,2. These false teachers may go to hell for what they are saying. They deserve it; it is not an unfair line of reasoning. Paul is not passing judgement. He cannot; he is not God. But he can speak out to warn the people of their wicked ways so they can repent and be saved. (See: Eze. 3:18-19)

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* Note 1: paraphrased from Dorothy Parker.
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Romans 3:1-2 - The Advantage of the Jews

Paul starts to wrap up the premise: We are all broken people, sinners in need of salvation. We cannot do anything to save ourselves, our sin stands in the way. Sin cannot be overcome by our actions.

The chapter can be divided into four paragraphs, with some sub-divisions:

3:1-8 - Our unbelief does not change God’s purposes.
   3:1-2 - Advantages of being a Jew
   3:3-8 - Unrighteousness Demonstrates Our Need
3:9-20 - No Fear of God
   3:9-18 - No one is innocent
   3:19-20 - Bound by the Law
3:21-25 - Righteousness is:
3:26-31 - Justified by Faith.

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1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?
2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

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Advantages

V. 1 - “Then what advantage has the Jew?” - We just finished a section in which Gentiles were found to be depraved because of their disobedience. The Jews claimed to acceptable because they were Jews, and circumcision proved it. Paul says, “So what? You may have the Law and circumcision, but if you don’t obey, it is as if the Law and circumcision does not exist.”

The question immediately arises, “Why bother?” If the Jews are as guilty as Gentiles, are there any positive aspects of being a Jew?

V. 2 - “Great in every respect.” - He was proud to be a Jew, a Hebrew among Hebrews. (See: Phil. 3:4-6) Yet he knows they have failed in honoring God. So, what is the advantage of being a Jew? This is not a rhetorical question.

“They were entrusted with the oracles of God.” - Gentiles had to deduce about God from what they see around them, in the universe, in nature, in the miracle of life. The Jews did not have to guess about God. They did not have to ponder, “Is this the right way, or is that?” They did not have to come to a philosophical understanding of what was expected. We think of ‘oracles’ in terms of ‘fortune telling’, a medium who gives enigmatic answers to questions, sometimes using crystal balls, or reading palms. ‘Oracle’ can also include authoritative or wise statements or predictions. An ‘oracle’ can also be a command from God, or a revelation from God. Jews did not have to wonder. It was made fairly clear. “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Deut. 5:7)

Moses implores the nation in his last speech: "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. ‘So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time.’" (Deut. 4:39-40)

God gives them a choice: life or death - "See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. "But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. ‘I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.’" (Deut. 30:15-20)

Later, God speaks to the Northern Kingdom through His prophets. What does God expect? See: “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic. 6:8)

And the Lord offers this lament through the prophet Zechariah, “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.” (Zech 7:11-12)
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Romans 2:25-29 - Circumcision

In this paragraph Paul saws off the final leg of the step-stool the Jews use to raise themselves up to show they are superior: circumcision. (No pun intended.)

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25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

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To sum up how we got here:

• The whole world is depraved because God has been rejected. Instead of being wise, we are fools. (Rom. 1:18-32)
• Some object to being called depraved, but we are without excuse. We will be judged fairly, based on our behavior. (Rom. 2:1-4)
• Others will say having the Law separates them from the depraved. That is of little help for we will be judged for our sin, whether under the law or not. (Rom. 2:5-16)
• Some will say knowing and teaching the Law shows we are not depraved. Except your lives show that you have contempt for God’s laws, and bring derision upon God. (Rom. 2:17-24)
• Finally, the claim that we must be special because we have the sign of circumcision, practiced since Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So, see. We’re good.

Paul says, “Not so fast, my brothers. Hold on, let’s look at that claim.” (Rom. 2:25-29)
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If You Keep the Law

V. 25 - “ For indeed, circumcision is of value ” - This paragraph had to be a slap in the face, a fist on nose wake up for the Jews! (See also: Jer. 4:4) I think the Jewish attitude was “We are good because we are Jews. Circumcision proves we are good. We have it. Gentiles do not.”

This is not to pick on the Jews. Christians can make the same error. If we say we are good because of baptism, communion, or church attendance the same approbation falls on us. Baptism is of value if you follow Christ. The worship song is not “You will Know we are Christians by our Baptism”. It is “They will know we are Christians by our Love” (based on the scripture: John 13:35; 1 John 3:1, 4:8, 5:2). It is fairly clear that Christians are not to put any value in the flesh. We are saved by our spiritual act of surrender and worship, not the mutilation of our bodies. (See: Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11).

Circumcision became a symbol long before the Law was given. Abraham was commanded that his descendants were to bear this sign. Gen. 17:10; 21:4. God was not so interested in the physical act of circumcision. He wanted their hearts changed, cutting off of the old rebellious attitude and adopting one of love for God. Look at Deut. 10:16, “circumcise your hearts...” because God chose you (through your ancestors) Deut. 10:15. God wants you to love Him, and will cleanse your heart (circumcise) that you may do so. (Deut. 30:6)

“ But if you are a transgressor ” - You uncircumcise yourself. The symbol or image means nothing if you don’t follow the doctrine and faith that supports the symbol. I am not sure about the implication of the word ‘transgressor’ in the Greek; however, it seems to indicate this is not a one-time-thing. A person may make a mistake, and thereby break the Law. If you are a serial-mistake-maker it is a pattern of transgressing the Law, a way of life antithetical to the Law. This is borne out in the next verse.

V. 26 - “ if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law ” - The ‘keep’ is talking about guarding so you do not become despoiled, you are kept safe from harm. Guarding requires attentiveness and being alert. Standing watch in war time or in a battle was serious business - the lives of your fellow soldiers are your responsibility. It is a crime to fall asleep while standing watch.

V. 27 - “if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you” - WHAT! A Gentile will judge a Jew! That is insane - at least it was unthinkable to Jews. A non-person passing judgement against one of God’s own? I do not think this is about judging suitability for heaven. That is above any of “our pay grades”. Before we get self-satisfied and pleased that Gentiles may pass judgment of Jews go back to the beginning of this chapter, verses 2:1-4. “you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge someone else... you condemn yourself, because you who judge practice the same things. Now we know that God's judgment is in accordance with truth... do you think you will escape God's judgment?“ Gentiles have no grounds on which to be proud. We need the grace of God, we have done nothing to meet God’s justice. Only Christ can do that.

The point: no one, not Jew nor Gentile, is capable of standing before the Lord. You may not be depraved, but you are a sinner and will be judged. You think you are a special person because you are God’s people, whether Jew or Greek. This buys you nothing. If you live as if you don't believe in Christ, or live as if you don’t believe in the God of the Passover, then what good is it for you to claim to be Christian or Jew?

How we live is driven by what we truly believe in our minds and hearts. Our behavior does not happen by accident, our actions are started by a spark in our mind, formulated and planned there. The decision to act is made there. (See: Jam. 1:13-16; Matt. 15: 11, 18-20; Luk. 6:45-49) Jesus asks what good is it for you to call him Lord, and not obey His commands.
In reality, not one of us has any standing by which we can claim to pass judgment on another.

V. 28 - “he is not a Jew who is one outwardly ” - We (humans) put great value in outward appearances - otherwise super-models, actors and actresses would not be worshipped as they are. God does not worship us. (Compare: 1 Sam. 16:7 with 1 Sam. 10:23-25). Surely, David’s brother, Eliab, was to be king for he was good looking. Except, God was not paying attention to the physical appearance. By the way, King Saul was a big strapping man, regal in appearance. A lot of good that did him...

V. 29 - “circumcision is that which is of the heart ” - Paul takes us all the way back to Rom 1:17-19. That which is known about God is evident. And professing to be wise, they became fools. That which pleases God comes from the heart tuned to Him, not the outward appearances. (See: Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11)

“By the Spirit, not by the letter” - The thousands of pages of laws written in our country are demonstrating the ‘need’ to identify in writing every possible infraction. There are ‘Speed Limit 25 mph” signs in almost every neighborhood. There are ‘Speed Limit 20 mph During School Hours’ near schools. It is not enough to tell people ‘Don’t Speed’ - their hearts are fastened on what-they-want-when-they-want-it. The safety and needs of others is unimportant. The sermon this last Sunday was on the 10 Commandments (Exo. 20:3-17; Deut. 5:6-21). The emphasis is on your relationship with God - what you can do for and with Him. The emphasis is on your relationship with other people - on how you treat them.

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End of Chapter 2