This chapter continues with the theme of the first two chapters. Chapter One of Romans teaches us that the Gentiles are sinners. Chapter Two demonstrates the fact that the Jews are sinners too. This chapter concludes that all men, both Jews and Gentiles, are sinners before God. The Jews, though having certain advantages, rejected Christ. Yet, their unbelief does not destroy the truth of the gospel. Men simply do not seek God on their own. None are righteous. They are all gone out of the way.

What Does It Say?

1. We are to let God be true, but every man a _________.
2. Paul has been wrongfully accused of saying, Let us do _________, that __________ may come.
3. Paul has before proved both ___________ and _____________, that they are all under sin.
4. There is none that _______________, there is none that _____________ after God.
5. The way of ____________ have they not known.

What Does It Mean?

1. Verses 1 and 2 tell us that the Jews have many spiritual advantages over the Gentiles, but only one of them is mentioned here. It is the chief advantage. It is the fact that the oracles of God were committed to them. The word oracle is an extension of the word oral (as in oral surgery), which refers to the mouth. In the Old Testament, the back room of the temple (also known as the holiest of all) was called the oracle because there God would speak to the priest. The word is used four times in the New Testament, each time in the plural, as oracles. Read these verses: Acts 7:38This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
   See All...; Romans 3:2Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
   See All...; Hebrews 5:12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
   See All...; 1 Peter 4:11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
   See All.... How would you define the oracles? Why were they the chief advantage of the Jews?
2. In verse 5, Paul asks, “But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say?” How is it that our unrighteousness could ever commend (close to recommend) the righteousness of God? This is a hard question. Consider Psalm 76:10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
   See All.... How would you explain these verses?
3. Verse 13 says of man that his “throat is an open sepulchre.” Knowing that a sepulcher is a tomb where men are buried, what is meant by this verse? Read the entire verse again. In what ways does the throat of man compare to an open grave?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1.  Verse 3 states, “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” This verse teaches us that something is not false simply because some do not believe it. Give some examples of this either in the Bible or in your own experience. How should we deal with those who do not believe the truth of the gospel?
2. Verse 18 states, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” What does this mean? How do people demonstrate their lack of fear of God? What are the characteristics of one who truly fears the Lord?

Suggested Memory Verses

Romans 3:1-4 [1] What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? [2] Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. [3] For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? [4] God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
See All..., Romans 3:9-12 [9] What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; [10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
See All..., Romans 3:18There is no fear of God before their eyes.
See All...