Romans 3:4

Translations

Modern

Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

Never may it be! But let God be true and every man a liar, as it has been written: “So that You may be justified in Your words, and you will be victorious in Your judging.”

Latin

Est autem Deus verax: omnis autem homo mendax, sicut scriptum est: Ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis: et vincas cum judicaris.

Original

Greek

English

Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”

Notes

Romans 3:4

Certainly not!: The Greek phrase mē genoito is a strong way to say "no." Paul often uses this style of argument in other parts of Romans (see 3:6, 31; 6:2, 15; 7:7, 13; 9:14; 11:1, 11).
As it is written: Paul quotes Psalm 51:4, where King David admitted his sin of committing adultery with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11:1–27). God punished David, and David admitted that God was right to judge him. David accepted that God’s judgment was completely just.
God remains faithful to everything he has said in the past. This includes his whole revelation. God’s words warn people about punishment for sin, but they also promise blessing for obedience.

Romans 1:18–3:20

Paul waits to explain righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until he first teaches about the sinfulness of all people. Both non-Jews and Jews are equally under the power of sin (1:18–32; 2:1–3:8). Because of this, both groups are in the same situation before God. No one can gain God’s favor by their own actions or obedience (3:9–20). All people need God’s saving action, not their own efforts.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) God’s Faithfulness to His People Natural Revelation Sin Enters the World

Related verses

Psalm 51:4
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
Psalm 116:11
In my alarm I said, “All men are liars!”
Galatians 2:17
But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!
Hebrews 6:18
Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
Titus 1:2
…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
John 3:33
Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful.
Job 36:3
I get my knowledge from afar, and I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
Revelation 3:7
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
Psalm 119:160
The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.
Psalm 138:2
I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.
Romans 9:14
What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Faith Letter to the Romans Sin

Topics

Absolute Truth Bigotry: Paul's Argument Against Boasting: Spiritual God: Faithfulness of God: Judge, and his Justice God: Righteousness of God: Truth Inerrancy of the Bible The Justice of God: Acknowledge Weariness

Romans 3:4

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