Romans 3
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
What good comes from circumcision? "Circumcision" = Christianity and it's a circumcision of the heart. It's given to every human being that believes in the blood of Christ and His sacrifice on that cross has given them a clean start.
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
The oracles of God are every Word He has given us today. Handed down throughout time providing us His Way.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
People make new religions every day. It doesn't have any effect of the reality of The Truth.
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.
We are judged by our own actions, not what others have to say, but what God says. Paul is quoting Psalms 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
So many want to believe God would be mean to anyone that is evil. They say "What kind of God is that" but if you CHOSE to be unrighteous there must be consequences for that action. If you CHOSE to walk out into traffic, you're going to get hit. Would you want your children playing in traffic? Do we want someone pushing us into that traffic? Heaven to come won't have evil in it or it wouldn't be heaven.
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
God's fair and why should He not give everyone what they deserve. The end will bring true peace and I look forward to it regardless of my own outcome.
7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
Without God there is no life. Don't fool yourself, His Truth brings life and His Truth judges us fair. EVERY action has a reaction, why shouldn't we answer for it all. Repentance cleanses the soul†
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
People then and now say we can be evil to show how God can correct us. That's not realistic. God is just in correcting those who CHOSE to do evil. Followers of Christ don't want evil in their lives under any circumstance.
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;
Not one of us is perfect and everyone lives within the penalty of sin. I ask for forgiveness in Christ Jesus Yashua EVERYDAY because I know I sin everyday. I strive towards that perfection by seeking The Truth in Christ EVERYDAY.
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Paul quotes Psalm 14:3 but know also, Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
You know who understands more than we do today? Those that are face to face with Him now. We in this flesh can't comprehend a fraction of what God holds.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Our flesh is corruptible and so is our souls. The Only Way to God is through His Son and His Word. The Word of God is the manual for this life.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
So many lairs in the world and by rejecting God they lie to themselves. We have many within Christianity so be careful out there. Wolves in sheep's clothing!
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
No reason but to profit.
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
They destroy just to destroy and by doing so bring sorrow for the people involved.
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
They don't know peace because they don't know Christ, nor do they want to. Christ Jesus is our TRUE peace. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
They have no reverence or love for God.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Everyone is guilty, but those that accept Christ daily strive to walk away from the worldly ways and to God's Truth. We each decide our choice of the two paths. A fork is always appearing.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The manual for life is The Word. Are you reading and studying it or did you throw it out and are you trying to put it together by yourself?
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Not one of us could ever say The Law and prophets are bad for us because they're all correct about the events that came to pass and if they're right about that past, those of The New Testament are right about what's to come.
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Accepting Christ makes you a Christian and we follow Him in the same mind. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Not one person could measure up to The laws of God and because of this we are all sinners. It's a daily battle in this flesh so keep fighting the fight and seek The Truth everyday.
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
It's by the favor of God for us He gave us a Way. He gave us all His Son Christ Jesus that through Him we have The Way to life everlasting. That "redemption" = a ransom paid in full, that in His name you are forgiven.
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
"propitiation" = a new way. That way is through "faith" in Him and what He has done for us all. Repent and your past is wiped clean. Remember it as to not repeat those sins, but understand they hold nothing on you. You're forgiven† Remember we sin daily, so if it's from the heart, repent daily.
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
This "justification" happens upon your repentance and belief in The things of Christ. His sacrifice at the cross†
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
You didn't work for your salvation. You didn't have to do any work for it. Christ gave everything He had so that you have The Way through Him in your faith. After that is when we should get up and go to work in righteousness.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Nothing in the law can save you, ONLY through The Blood of Christ can anyone be saved†
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Both Israel and the uncircumcised = Gentiles, in other words the whole world has been given The Way through faith in Christ Jesus.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Just because we are forgiven through faith in Christ, doesn't mean The law is thrown out. Without The law we have no guidelines in living. We could murder someone without a second thought, steal whenever we feel we want something.