Romans 3:3-4

Today I started to ponder Romans 3:3-4…

For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:

“ That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.” (Rom. 3:3-4, NKJV)

Who is referred to in verse 3, when it says, “For what if some did not believe”?  Well, it seems to be talking about the Jews, those to whom were committed the oracles of God, according to verse 2.

This seems to be the question Paul was posing:  What about the Jews who had the “oracles” (prophecies and commands) of God but still chose not to believe them?  In chapter 2 of Romans, we saw how some Jews had a true heart for God, even though they had never been outwardly circumcised. However, Paul is here referring to those who performed their various rites and rituals, specifically circumcision, without thought of the true meaning behind them.

Back in Genesis, God promised certain things to Abram (Abraham):
(1) I will make you a great nation
(2) I will bless you and make your name great
(3) You shall be a blessing.
(4) I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.
(5) In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.  (Gen. 12:2-3)
This was an unconditional covenant (promise) with Abram.  Abram didn’t have to do anything at all, yet God’s end of the bargain would still be fulfilled.  Of course, the Old Testament then went on to gradually reveal that these promises would be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

What if Abraham had not believed God?  Would God have still been faithful to bless all the families of the earth through Him?  Yes, because God is unchangeable.  His will is not contingent on our fickle faithfulness.  (Good thing!)  In fact, the more we see ourselves and our sinful nature, the more wonderful and refreshing God’s faithfulness becomes.

To the wife whose husband has been unfaithful, God’s promises become ever sweeter.
To the child whose parents have mistreated  him, God’s promises become ever nearer.
To the one whose friends have deserted him, God’s promises become ever truer.

The promises of God.  God always keeps them!  You and I will fail someone, maybe often.  Yet the more we read His Word and the more knowledge we have of God, the more sure we are that He is trustworthy.

God is nothing like mankind.