What is the result[a] if some refused to believe? Their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! But let God be true but every human being a liar, just as it is written,

“In order that you may be justified in your words,
    and may prevail when you are[b] judged.”[c]

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God, who inflicts wrath, is not unjust, is he? (I am speaking according to a human perspective.)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:3 Literally “for what”
  2. Romans 3:4 Or, if the form is understood as middle voice, “when you yourself judge”
  3. Romans 3:4 A quotation from Ps 51:4

What if some were unfaithful?(A) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(B) Not at all! Let God be true,(C) and every human being a liar.(D) As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak
    and prevail when you judge.”[a](E)

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(F) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(G)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4