Romans 3 begins by telling of the advantage of God’s people, those claiming His name but remaining in unbelief. The chapter goes on to describe their condition by first telling of the advantage they have in that the oracles of God have been delivered to them. The Greek word there rendered “oracles” is logion, meaning the foundational building block (lego) of Godly wisdom and knowledge.
Here is the meaning of lego, and in it is seen what oracle (logion) is telling of being delivered to us by the utterance (word) of God.
From the Strong’s Greek Dictionary: Strong’s #3004: lego (pronounced leg’-o) a primary verb; properly, to “lay” forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:–ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
When the above definition speaks this systematic discourse, and the chapter of this content coming from God being the advantage of His people, we understand the question that follows, and the reaming portion of the chapter telling of the resulting product of those who in unbelief reject this treatise.
The question asked, to be answered, is, “What if some refuse to believe, does their unbelief invalidate the faith in God of those who do believe and take advantage of the advice?”
The answer initially come in Paul quoting from Psalms 51:4, saying, “4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged.”
He then says, “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) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?”
What Paul is saying here is that the unbelieving people were calling His word/preaching unrighteousness and a lie, because he said it was God speaking through him, but it couldn’t be denied it was God’s truth being delivered to them. In this we see (understand) the remainder of the chapter when it speaks of the deadly venom that was continuing to be spoken against God, by those who were rejecting it and refusing the way of peace.
This is the same subject of Psalms 51, where we read of all born into the flesh with this tendency toward ignorance. Romans 3 tells us the mission is to first let this aspect be seen, the folly in man without God, and as now all rejecting Him, so that all becoming guilty before God. We read of this being so that every mouth, that exalts itself against God’s, would be stopped, for all have sinned and come short of what can be seen as the glory of God in those who do believe.
I stand as a witness in/as the Glory of my Father who sent me. I and the Father are One.
Romans 3
7 For if the truth of God has more abounded through [what they falsely accuse of being] my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
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.
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 understands, there is none that seeks after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulcher [that is the tomb that is now seen as empty]; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that what things so-ever the law says, it says to them who are under the law [those not believing this report]: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
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.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
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:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God has 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;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus [I and the Children God has given me (the risen body of Jesus Christ), are Jehovah’s Salvation (Jesus), through preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins past (in his name)].
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
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, [the faith of those believing (I and the children)].
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Psalms 51
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight: that you might be justified when you speak, and be clear when you judge.
5 Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted unto you.
14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, you God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O LORD, open you my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth your praise.
16 For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good in your good pleasure unto Zion: build you the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shall you be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon your altar.
