ICC, Sandlay & Headlam
Romans 3.3-4:
What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged."
Romans 3.3-4:
What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged."
3τι γaρ ει ηπιστησαν τινες μη η απιστια αυτων την πιστιν του θεου καταργησει 4 μη γενοιτο γινεσθω δε ο θεος αληθης πας δε ανθρωπος ψευστης καθαπερ γεγραπται οπως αν δικαιωθης εν τοις λογοις σου και νικησεις εν τω κρινεσθαι σε
Observations:
1. St. Paul has wrestled with this issue of Jewish “unbelief” in the promises of the OT. They unbelieving Jew has been “unfaithful” (ηπιστησαν ). This subject will receive a more intense review in chapters 9-11.
2. There is also a contrast between human infidelity and God’s fidelity to His promises.
3. Human infidelity does not abrogate, deny or disannul the divine promises fulfilled in Christ.
4. Καταργησει = nullify in the ESV. S & H observe = to render inert or inactive. The term is used 25 times by Paul. It’s foundational sense is “to make sterile or barren.” Abrogate, invalidate, cancel, annul, overthrow, undo, revoke or terminate might be useful synonyms.
5. Paul puts his forth, if we might, like a good rabbi. “By not means!” 4μη γενοιτο γινεσθω. “Let it not be so!” In Paul’s writings, fourteen of fifteen times it indicates “strong abhorrence of an inference which he fears may be falsely drawn from his argument.” S & H points to Burton’s M. and T., section 177. (Moods and Tenses?)
6. A quote, 71: “It is characteristic of the vehement impulsive style of this group of Epp. that the phrase is confined to them (ten times in Rom, once in 1 Cor., twice in Gal.). It occurs five times in the LXX, not however standing alone as here, but worked into the body of the sentence (cf. Gen.xliv.7,17; Josh.xxii.29; xxiv.16; 1 Kings xx [xxi].3.)
2. There is also a contrast between human infidelity and God’s fidelity to His promises.
3. Human infidelity does not abrogate, deny or disannul the divine promises fulfilled in Christ.
4. Καταργησει = nullify in the ESV. S & H observe = to render inert or inactive. The term is used 25 times by Paul. It’s foundational sense is “to make sterile or barren.” Abrogate, invalidate, cancel, annul, overthrow, undo, revoke or terminate might be useful synonyms.
5. Paul puts his forth, if we might, like a good rabbi. “By not means!” 4μη γενοιτο γινεσθω. “Let it not be so!” In Paul’s writings, fourteen of fifteen times it indicates “strong abhorrence of an inference which he fears may be falsely drawn from his argument.” S & H points to Burton’s M. and T., section 177. (Moods and Tenses?)
6. A quote, 71: “It is characteristic of the vehement impulsive style of this group of Epp. that the phrase is confined to them (ten times in Rom, once in 1 Cor., twice in Gal.). It occurs five times in the LXX, not however standing alone as here, but worked into the body of the sentence (cf. Gen.xliv.7,17; Josh.xxii.29; xxiv.16; 1 Kings xx [xxi].3.)
Correlations:
1. Paul and Jesus’ views of the Old Testament from other texts.
2. Infant baptism and covenantal language in the New Testament, e.g. household baptisms and families.
3. Baptist literature, especially dispensational works.
4. Mainline liberal theology which denies divine providence and election.
Interpretation:
Paul is expounding in 3.1-8 on the faithfulness and justice of God. In 3.1-2, the ancient church had the advantage, light, power, teachings and Gospel of the Old Testament, of which circumcision was the sign and seal. In 3.3-4, we learn that human infidelity, Jewish unbelief, does not annul the fidelity and promises of God.
Application:
1. Be prepared to tell a genetic Jew that Christians are children of Abraham and that they are not. Also, the consequences of their rejection of Abraham’s Messiah.
2. Engage with the Baptist denials.
2. Infant baptism and covenantal language in the New Testament, e.g. household baptisms and families.
3. Baptist literature, especially dispensational works.
4. Mainline liberal theology which denies divine providence and election.
Interpretation:
Paul is expounding in 3.1-8 on the faithfulness and justice of God. In 3.1-2, the ancient church had the advantage, light, power, teachings and Gospel of the Old Testament, of which circumcision was the sign and seal. In 3.3-4, we learn that human infidelity, Jewish unbelief, does not annul the fidelity and promises of God.
Application:
1. Be prepared to tell a genetic Jew that Christians are children of Abraham and that they are not. Also, the consequences of their rejection of Abraham’s Messiah.
2. Engage with the Baptist denials.
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