Romans 3:3

3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?

Romans 3:3 in Other Translations

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?

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

3 So, what if, in the course of doing that, some of those Jews abandoned their post? God didn't abandon them. Do you think their faithlessness cancels out his faithfulness?

3 What then? If some did not believe, will their unbelief cancel God's faithfulness?

Romans 3:3 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 3:3

For what if some did not believe?
&c.] It is suggested, that though the Jews enjoyed such a privilege, some of them did not believe; which is an aggravation of their sin, that they should have such means of light, knowledge, and faith, such clear and full evidences of things, and yet be incredulous: though it should be observed that this was the case only of some, not of all; and must be understood, not of their disbelief of the Scriptures being the word of God, for these were always received as such by them all, and were constantly read, heard, and attended to; but either of their disobedience to the commands of God required in the law, or of their disregard to the promises of God, and prophecies of the Messiah, and of their disbelief in the Messiah himself when he came; but now this was no objection to the advantage they had of the Gentiles, since this was not owing to want of evidence in the word of God, but to the darkness and unbelief of their minds: and,

shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
no, their unbelief could not, and did not make void the veracity and faithfulness of God in his promises concerning the Messiah, recorded in the oracles of God, which they had committed to them; for notwithstanding this, God raised up the Messiah from among them, which is another advantage the Jews had of, the Gentiles; inasmuch as "of" them, "as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is God over all, blessed for evermore", ( Romans 9:5 ) , and he sent him to them, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, as a prophet and minister; he sent his Gospel to them first, and called out by it from among them his elect, nor did he take it from them until he had done this: and he took it away only; until "the fulness of the Gentiles", ( Romans 11:25 ) , is brought in; and then the Gospel shall come to them again with power, and "all Israel shall be saved" (( Romans 11:26 ) ).

Romans 3:3 In-Context

1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?

2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?

4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

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

Cross References

• 1. Romans 10:16; Hebrews 4:2
• 2. 2 Timothy 2:13