Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Paul shows what preferment the Jews have, and that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin, and are justified only by the grace of God in Christ.

3 What preferment, then, has the Jew? Or what advantage from circumcision? ² Surely very much. The word of God was committed first to them. ³ What, then, if some of them did not believe? Does their unbelief make the promise of God without effect? ⁴ God forbid. Let God be true and all men liars, as it is written: That you may be justified in your words, and should overcome when you are judged.

⁵ If our unrighteousness makes the righteousness of God more excellent, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous, who takes vengeance? I speak after the manner of men. ⁶ God forbid, for how then will God judge the world? ⁷ If the truth of God appears more excellent through my lie, to his glory, why am I still judged as a sinner? ⁸ And why not say rather (as some ill report of us, and as some allege we say), let us do evil, so that good may come of it? Their condemnation is just.