Let Sin More to Glorify God? Faith Upholds the Law - Romans 3

Does not salvation by faith gives us the license to sin? If our sin reveals God's goodness, then why should we be punished for our sin? Paul addresses such questions in Romans 3. His conclusion is "Faith upholds the Law" and hence if you truly understand and have the faith in Jesus, then you have fulfilled and will continue to uphold the Law.

Romans 3 Mind-map:

note: the bible verses are my own. Please read the original translations if you have any doubt.


The advantage of Jews

Or what is the value of circumcision? Rom 3:1
Jews were entrusted with the knowledge and laws of God. Rom 3:2

Unfaithful Jews but Faithful God

Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? Rom 3:3
No. Let God remains true though everyone was a liar, as it is written, "That God is justified in His words, and judged right in any court". Rom 3:4

Sin More to Glorify God!?That is a big distortion of the truth.
But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (From a human point of view) Rom 3:5
Of course not! If God is not righteous, then how can He judge the world? Rom 3:6
But if my unrighteousness shows God's glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? Rom 3:7
Some people accused us wrongly, that we preach "why not do evil that good may come?. Their distortion and condemnation are just. Rom 3:8

Why this argument is wrong?As Paul pointed out in verse 4, God's Laws and Judgement are always right irrespective of our sins. God does not need our sins to show His righteousness.

Are we Jews any better off?In terms of being more righteous because of knowledge of God's Laws & Circumcision
No, not at all. Both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, Rom 3:9
as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; Rom 3:10
no one seeks and understands God. Rom 3:11
All have turned aside; becoming worthless; no one does good, not even one." Rom 3:12
They lied and speak evils. Rom 3:13
"Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." Rom 3:14
"They are quick to shed blood; Rom 3:15
they leave behind destructions and sufferings, Rom 3:16
and they do not seek peace " Rom 3:17
"There is no fear of God " Rom 3:18

Purpose of LawTo reveal sin and not for justification because everyone has sinned.
The law applies to who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. Rom 3:19
For by works of the law no man will be justified since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Rom 3:20The law reveals the sin of every man and no one can be justified in the law.
But now the righteousness of God has been revealed apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- Rom 3:21

Righteousness by Faith

The righteousness of God is (gained) through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction (Jews nor Gentiles): Rom 3:22
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom 3:23
and are justified by God's grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Rom 3:24
whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. Rom 3:25
It was to show his righteousness at the present time so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Rom 3:26Note: God's righteousness is shown in His Laws is just - revealing man's sin
His judgment is just - punishment on His Son on the cross.
His love is true - anyone can receive Jesus' redemption by faith and be accepted by God.

No BoastingAll are saved by Faith, not works
We cannot boast about our justification by our work. But we can proclaim the law of faith. Rom 3:27
For we hold that everyone is justified by faith and not from works of the law. Rom 3:28
Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, Rom 3:29
since God is one--who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Rom 3:30

Our Faith upholds the LawDo we then overthrow the law by this faith? No, not at all! On the contrary, we uphold the law. Rom 3:31Because through Jesus who paid the penalty of sin, we complete the demands of the law.

Summary

• The Jews have the advantage of knowing God and His law. But knowledge alone does not justify a person.
• Man's unfaithfulness does not cause God to be faithless. God's character remains intact irrespective of the actions of man.
• So we cannot argue that our sins reveal God's righteousness and so God should not judge our sins. Neither can we sin more to show forth God's greater saving grace.
• The purpose of the Law is to reveal man's sin but the Law does not have the ability to save man from his sins.
• So God has to use another means to save man from his sins. It is by the offering of His Son to pay the penalty of man's sins as demand by the law. Then, man can be righteous through faith in His Son's redemption.
• Hence, salvation is by faith in Jesus and not by following the Law. No one can be justified in the Law because all have sinned. There is also nothing for man to boast except by faith in His Son.
• The Law of Faith does not nullify the Law. The Faith, in fact, agrees that the Law is right that whereby the sacrifice of His Son is needed. Faith completes the demand of the Law.
• So, Faith in Jesus gives us the power to fulfill the Law as will be shown in subsequent chapters.