Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 3

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 3


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
Romans 3

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Jews and the Law

(Rom_2:17 to Rom_3:8) God's Judgment Defended The Advantage of the Jews The Jews and the Law

(Rom_2:17 to Rom_3:8) God's Promises Will Not Save Them Rom_3:1-8 Rom_3:1-8 Rom_3:1-8 Rom_3:1-4 Rom_3:1-8 Rom_3:5-6 Rom_3:7-8 There is None Righteous All Have Sinned All are Guilty No Man is Righteous All are Guilty Rom_3:9-20 Rom_3:9-20 Rom_3:9-18 Rom_3:9-18 Rom_3:9-18 Rom_3:19-20 Rom_3:19-20 Rom_3:19-20 Righteousness Through Faith God's Righteousness Through Faith The True Righteousness How God Put Men Right The Revelation of God's Judgment Rom_3:21-26 Rom_3:21-26 Rom_3:21-26 Rom_3:21-26 Rom_3:21-26 Boasting Excluded Boasting is Excluded What Faith Does Rom_3:27-31 Rom_3:27-31 Rom_3:27-31 Rom_3:27-31 Rom_3:27-31 READING CYCLE THREE

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary ,which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

A. Rom_3:1-8 are a related content, but it is difficult to follow Paul's logic because he is using a literary technique called diatribe (a supposed objector).



B. It seems that Paul is anticipating how some Jewish people will respond to Rom_2:17-29, so he answers their objections (Corley, Vaughan, Romans, pp. 37-39).

1. First question. Are there really no advantages for the Jews? (Rom_3:1-2)

2. Second question. Has God's word failed because some Jews were unfaithful? (Rom_3:3-4)

3. Third question. If God used the Jews to reveal His character are the Jews still judicially responsible? (Rom_3:5-8)



C. The conclusion goes back to Rom_2:11. There is no favoritism with God. All humans are accountable for living apart from the light they have (natural revelation and/or special revelation).



D. Rom_3:9-18 contains a series of OT quotes which declare the sins of the Jews.



E. Rom_3:19-20 sums up the spiritual condition of Israel and the purpose of the OT (cf. Galatians 3).



F. Rom_3:21-31 is the summary of Rom_1:18 to Rom_3:20. They are the first theological point of the gospel (see brief outline, p. 2).



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Outline Rom_3:21-31 in your own words.

2. Why did God pass over man's sins in times past (Rom_3:25)?

3. How was the OT believer saved from sin (Rom_3:25)?

4. How does faith in Jesus confirm the Law (Rom_3:31)?