Study session scripture: Romans 3:9-20

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Study session topics:

• The unrighteousness of all people

• Paul just said the Jews have much benefit in every way, and now he says they are ultimately no better off than the gentiles

• The benefits Paul previously described are things that help one see more clearly their need for salvation, but they themselves cannot save

• The law

• Circumcision

• Paul now pulls together a bunch of scripture passages to show that God's consistent message, both to His people and ultimately to the whole world, is that all are under sin

• Sinful condition (v. 10-12)

• Sinful speech (v. 13-14)

• Sinful action (v. 15-17)

• Summary statement: no fear of God (v. 18)

• The Law itself cannot save us, rather it shows us how wicked we are

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Study session scripture: Romans 3:1-8

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous 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 lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

Study session topics:

• The Unrighteousness of the Jews, concluded

• Paul now responds to some anticipated objections to the arguments he has been making regarding the unrighteousness of the Jews

• If the Jews are condemned by their sins just as the Gentiles are, and true Jews are Jews inwardly, what is the benefit of being an ethnic Jew?

• Paul immediately responds that there is much benefit to being an ethnic Jew, because they were given the very words of God

• The modern equivalent would be growing up in a Christian home and expecting to go to heaven on the basis of one's upbringing

• Simple possession of God's Word and external connection to a favored nation is not sufficient to save one's soul

• If God's covenant with Israel is unconditional, and many Jews live unfaithful lives and thus will not be saved, does this nullify God's promise to save Israel?

• Paul immediately rejects this question and states emphatically that God's faithfulness is inviolable even though man is unfaithful

• God's covenant with Abraham (Gen. 15:7-21)

• This question takes the promises God made to Israel as a nation and erroneously attempts to apply them to individuals who have not laid hold of God's promises through salvation in Christ

• The modern equivalent would be expecting to be saved on the basis of regular church attendance and belonging to a congregation because God promised to save His church

• If our sins and faithlessness serve to emphasize God's righteousness and faithfulness, how can God judge us for making Him look good?

• If this objection had any merit, God could not judge the world. Paul completely rejects the premise of the question because God will judge the world, so this accusation can be dispensed with

• Paul's accusers charge him with teaching "cheap grace," i.e. if God's glory is further emphasized by my sin, and His mercy is further emphasized when He forgives me, then I should sin freely that God's grace may abound all the more

• The Gospel does not promise forgiveness for premeditated sin. if we do not repent of our sin, but rather act as though God is forced to forgive us when we ask and thus we have God in a corner and can live as we please, we mock God and trivialize His holiness by overemphasizing His mercy, and we will meet a rude awakening at our judgment

Study session audio:

Study session scripture: Romans 2:12-29

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.

For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Study session topics:

• The unrighteousness of the Jews, continued

• God will judge all according to the standard they possessed

• Gentiles by what can be perceived about God in nature

• Jews by the law God gave them

• The Jews throughout history failed to be a holy people

• A warning against externalism

• Emphasis on outward religious practices, rituals, and appearances at the expense of true inward faith

Study session audio: