Page 7 Chapter 3 Although Paul Was the Apostle to the Gentiles (Cf. Gal. 2:9)

Romans Chapter 3

Although Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles (cf. Gal. 2:9), early in his ministry he always began his preaching in each city by first visiting fellow Jews in the local synagogue (cf. Acts 17:2). The Jews he evangelized would often come to the same conclusions: by preaching salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, Paul was attacking God’s people, God’s promise, and God’s purity. So undoubtedly, he heard the same tired arguments against Christianity replayed over and over from them. As he finishes his condemnation of the Jews (started in Romans 2:17), he poses some of these common objections and responds to each of them individually. The objections are paraphrased below. Provide your own paraphrase of Paul’s response:

Objection: “If our national identity and heritage don’t provide righteousness, then what have we gained by being Jewish?” (Romans 3:1) Response: ______

Objection: “So are you saying that God has revoked His promises to our nation just because some Jews have been disobedient to the Scriptures?” (Romans 3:3) Response: ______

Objection: “If God's great faithfulness is demonstrated through our faithlessness, then wouldn't it be unfair for Him to punish us for such a favor? (Romans 3:5) Response: ______

Objection: “If God's truth is shown as more glorious when contrasted to my deceit, why would I be to blame? Plus, if the Gospel is true then God's glory triumphs over sin, so why not just commit as much evil as possible so that God would get even more glory?” (Romans 3:7-8a) Response: ______

Having thoroughly condemned the Jew, Paul addresses one last group in Romans 3:9. If Paul has already condemned the rank heathen (cf. Rom. 1:18-32), the Moralist (cf. Rom. 2:1-16), and the Jew (cf. Rom. 2:17- 3:8), who is the final group that Paul cautions in Romans 3:9? What is his reason for addressing this last group? ______

In order to summarize the sinfulness of all of humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, Paul quotes from several Old Testament passages. This string of passages provides a final conclusion explaining why no one is righteous before God. Although Romans 3:10-18 is one of the most comprehensive descriptions of unsaved people in the entire Bible, these same truths are found all throughout Scripture. Below is a list of the characteristics Paul gives, along with a New Testament passage that helps further develop the point. Fill in the Old Testament references from which Paul quotes. Then, choose one of these characteristics and, using the references provided as well as any additional passages needed, explain in greater detail what the characteristic means.

Romans 3:10-18 characteristics OT reference NT cross-reference Romans 3:10 – “…as it is written, ‘THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE…’” Mark 10:18 Romans 3:11 – “…THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS…” 1 Corinthians 2:14 Romans 3:11 – “…THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD…” John 3:20 Romans 3:12 – “…ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE…” 2 Peter 2:21 Romans 3:12 – “…TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS…” Titus 1:16 Romans 3:12 – “…THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” Hebrews 11:6 Romans 3:13 – “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE…” Ephesians 2:1 Romans 3:13 – “…WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING…” Matthew 12:34 Romans 3:13 – “…THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS…” James 3:6-8 Romans 3:14 – “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS…” James 3:9-12 Romans 3:15 – “…THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD…” John 8:44 Romans 3:16 – “…DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS…” James 4:1 Romans 3:17 – “…AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.” 1 Corinthians 3:3 Romans 3:18 – “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.” Luke 1:50

Characteristic: ______Meaning: ______

What is Paul’s final verdict for all of mankind, according to Romans 3:20? ______

Based on everything described in Romans 1:18-3:20, answer the following theological question: what will happen to a person in a remote part of the world who dies without ever hearing the Gospel? ______

Explain the transition that Paul makes in Romans 3:21-26. ______

In the Old Testament, God’s righteousness was typically associated with judgment – He demonstrated His justice when He would execute His wrath towards sinners. But just as in Romans 1:16-17, Paul explains in Romans 3:21 that God’s righteousness is now being revealed in a new way. Since every individual stands guilty before God (Rom 3:19), we have no righteousness of our own to rely on. So if we are to be reconciled with God, it can only be if He provides the righteousness we desperately need. Paul explains that God has done exactly that, which is the heart of the Gospel. Below are six characteristics of God’s provided righteousness; match each characteristic with the passage from Romans 3:21-26 that it summarizes.

Via atonement Given freely Received by faith Apart from the Law To His glory Available to all

Passage God’s provided righteousness is… Romans 3:21 ______Romans 3:22a ______Romans 3:22b-23 ______Romans 3:24 ______Romans 3:25 ______Romans 3:26 ______

What does it mean that God, in the Gospel, is both just and the justifier (Romans 3:26)? ______

One important conclusion to Paul’s argument is that “boasting is excluded” (Rom 3:27). What are the two primary reasons that Paul is so intent on stripping mankind of any boasting (cf. Luke 18:13, Matt 23:12, Ephesians 1:6,12,14)? 1. ______2. ______

So that his Jewish readers don’t misunderstand him, Paul makes it clear that the Gospel does not replace or undermine the Law (cf. Rom 3:31). Instead, the Gospel establishes the Law, meaning that it demonstrates the usefulness and purpose of it. Explain why the Law is important according to these passages: Romans 3:19-20, Galatians 3:24, Hebrews 10:1-3. ______