Romans Chapter 3 Vs. 3

 

God's Righteousness Upheld

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

For what if... Questions 12-13. Next, Rom. 3:5.

unbelief... Greek: apistia, 12 times (Mat. 13:58; 17:20; Mar. 6:6; 9:24; 16:14; Rom. 3:3; 4:20; 11:20-23; 1Tim. 1:13; Heb. 3:12, 3:19).

The fact that the chief benefit of being a Jew was being “entrusted with the very words of God” raised another question. What if some did not have faith? This verb “did not have faith” also means “be unfaithful.” This is preferred since the same verb is rendered “entrusted” in Rom. 3:2. It is true that some Jews did not believe the promises of God, but also some Jews were unfaithful to their trust. Will their lack of faith (this noun can also mean “unfaithfulness,” which is preferred here) nullify God’s faithfulness?

Though some Jews did not believe or were unfaithful (evidenced by their sinful conduct mentioned in Rom. 2:21-23, 2:25), God remains faithful to His Word (cf. Deut. 7:9; 1Cor. 1:9; Heb. 10:23; 11:11; 1Pet. 4:19). This concept of God’s faithfulness in spite of Israel’s unbelief is developed more fully in Romans 9-11.