Romans 3:1-8: a reflection

1Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? 2Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God. 3For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? 4May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “that you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment.” 5But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do. 6May it never be! For then how will God judge the world? 7For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let’s do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.

Paul raises a searching question: if some of God's people prove faithless, does their faithlessness cancel God's faithfulness? And he answers emphatically: Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. However faithless human beings may prove, God remains faithful; their unfaithfulness does not cancel his faithfulness. God is true, reliable, faithful to his word, even when every human being fails; his faithfulness does not depend on ours.

Notice the truth Paul insists on: God's faithfulness stands firm even when human beings prove faithless. Some had been faithless, unbelieving, failing God; and the question was whether this canceled God's faithfulness. Paul's answer is a firm no. God remains true, faithful to his word and his character, however faithless people may be. His faithfulness is his own, not dependent on ours; though every human being should prove a liar, God is still true. Human faithlessness cannot nullify the faithfulness of God, which stands firm regardless.

That is a great comfort, for it means God's faithfulness does not fail even when people, including we ourselves, fail. We can fear that human faithlessness, others' or our own, might cancel God's faithfulness, that his reliability depends on ours; but Paul says God remains true though every man be a liar. God's faithfulness stands firm regardless of human failure; it is his own, not dependent on ours. When people prove faithless, or when you are aware of your own failures, do not imagine that God's faithfulness fails with them; he remains true, faithful to his word, however faithless people may be. Rest in the faithfulness of God, which stands firm even when human beings fail, for his faithfulness is his own and does not depend on ours; let God be true though every man a liar, and trust the God whose faithfulness no human faithlessness can nullify.

Lord, Paul raises a searching question: if some of your people prove faithless, does their faithlessness cancel your faithfulness? And he answers emphatically: will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. However faithless human beings may prove, you remain faithful; their unfaithfulness does not cancel your faithfulness. You are true, reliable, faithful to your word, even when every human being fails; your faithfulness does not depend on ours. Show me the truth Paul insists on: your faithfulness stands firm even when human beings prove faithless. Some had been faithless, failing you; and the question was whether this canceled your faithfulness. Paul's answer is a firm no. You remain true, faithful to your word and your character, however faithless people may be. Your faithfulness is your own, not dependent on ours. Give me the comfort of that, for it means your faithfulness does not fail even when people, including I myself, fail. I can fear that human faithlessness, others' or my own, might cancel your faithfulness; but Paul says you remain true though every man be a liar. When people prove faithless, or when I am aware of my own failures, keep me from imagining that your faithfulness fails with them; you remain true, Lord. Help me rest in your faithfulness, which stands firm even when human beings fail, for it is your own and does not depend on ours.