But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(A) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(B) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(C) Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,(D) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”(E) Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?(F) Their condemnation is just!

Read full chapter

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates[a] the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he? (I am speaking in human terms.)[b] Absolutely not! For otherwise how could God judge the world? For if by my lie the truth of God enhances[c] his glory, why am I still actually being judged as a sinner? And why not say, “Let us do evil so that good may come of it”?—as some who slander us allege that we say.[d] (Their[e] condemnation is deserved!)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:5 tn Or “shows clearly.”
  2. Romans 3:5 sn The same expression occurs in Gal 3:15, and similar phrases in Rom 6:19 and 1 Cor 9:8.
  3. Romans 3:7 tn Grk “abounded unto.”
  4. Romans 3:8 tn Grk “(as we are slandered and some affirm that we say…).”
  5. Romans 3:8 tn Grk “whose.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, this relative clause was rendered as a new sentence in the translation.