Romans 3:5

5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.)

Romans 3:5 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 3:5

But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God,
&c.] Hence it appears, that the unrighteousness of men commends the righteousness, or faithfulness of God; and yet all unrighteousness is sin; the wrath of God is revealed against it; and would exclude from heaven, were it not for pardon through the blood of Christ; and besides, the one is contrary to the other, and of itself, of its own nature, cannot influence and affect the other: wherefore this can only be understood of the manifestation and illustration of, the righteousness of God by it; which is covered and commended, in punishing the unrighteousness of men; in setting forth Christ to be a propitiation for sin; and in fulfilling his promises, notwithstanding the failings of his people, of which the case of David is a pregnant proof; just as the love of God is illustrated and commended, by the consideration of the sins of men, for whom Christ died, and his grace and mercy in the conversion of them: but if this be true,

what shall we say?
shall we allow the following question to be put? this answers to (rmyml akya yam) , "what is there to say", or "to be said?" a way of speaking, often used by the Talmudists ^F14:

is God unrighteous, who taketh vengeance?
if the premises are true, this is a just consequence of them; whereas God does take vengeance on men for their unrighteousness, both here and hereafter, it must be a piece of unrighteousness in him so to do; since that for which he takes vengeance on them commends his own righteousness; but that you may know as well by what follows, that this is not an inference of his own, but another's, he adds,

I speak as a man;
(Mda ynb Nwvlk) , "according to the language of the children of men", a phrase often used by the Jewish doctors ^F15. The apostle did not speak the sentiments of his own mind, he represented another man, and spoke in the language of an adversary.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 4. 1. & passim.
F15 T. Bab. Ceritot, fol. 11. 1. & passim.

Romans 3:5 In-Context

3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful?

4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.”

5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.)

6 Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world?

7 “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?”