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Rom 3:4. Μὴ γένοιτο) Paul alone uses this form of expression, and only in his epistles to the Romans and the Galatians.-γινέσθω, let him be made) in judgement.-ὁ Θεὸς ἀληθὴς, God true) See Psa 116:12, where God’s most faithful retribution is set in opposition to man’s perfidy. This fact, and the term lying, are referred to again, in verse 7.-πᾶς ἄνθρωπος, every man), not even excepting David. Psa 116:11, the LXX. have πᾶς ἄνθρωπος ψεύστης, every man a liar. Hence David, 1Sa 24:9, speaks of man’s words, that is, falsehood.-ὄπως-κρίνεσθαί σε) So the LXX., Psa 51:6 [4]. Those things are also [besides their application at David’s time] Prophetical, which David prayed in the agony [conflict] of his repentance.-ἂν), if only it [God’s faithfulness] were to be had recourse to, and if man would dare to put it to the test.-δικαιωθῇς-νικήσῃς, thou mayest be justified-mayest overcome), in the name of faithfulness and truth. The human judge judges so, as that the offence of the guilty is the only consideration weighed [regarded] by him, nor is he otherwise concerned as regards [vindicating] his own righteousness; but God exercises judgement so, as that the unrighteousness of men is not more demonstrated thereby, than His own righteousness: νικᾷν is generally said of a victory after the hazard of war, or of a lawsuit for money, or of a contest in the public games. In this passage, it is said of a judicial victory, which cannot but come to God [i.e. God is sure to be the victor].-ἐν τοῖς λόγοις σου) Hebr. בדברך, in which one passage דבר occurs in Kal, without the participle, that is, when thou beginnest to speak, and judicially to answer man, who accuses thee, or to proceed against him. [In a general way, indeed, men acknowledge that GOD is just, but when the question refers to special cases, then they are wont [they love] to defend their own cause, V. g.]-ἐν τῷ κρίνεσθαί σε) Hebr. בשפטך God at once both Κρίνει and Κρίνεται. Κρίνεται [implead in judgment] has the meaning of the middle voice, such as verbs of contending usually have: κρίνοντας applies to those who dispute in a court of law. LXX., Isa 43:26; Jdg 4:5; Jer 25:31. An instance in illustration is to be found in Mic 6:2, etc.; also in 1Sa 12:7. It is inexpressible loving-kindness in God to come down [condescend to stoop] to man for the purpose of pleading with him.