9/20/2007

Romans 3:1-8 (NRSV)

The justice of God

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of
circumcision? Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were
entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Will
their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means!
Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written,
"So that you may be justified in your words,
and prevail in your judging."

But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we
say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.)
By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through
my falsehood God's truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still
being condemned as a sinner? And why not say (as some people
slander us by saying that we say), "Let us do evil so that good may
come"? Their condemnation is deserved!