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That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) <a href="/nlt/romans/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) <a href="/esv/romans/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) <a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. <a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness shows God's righteousness, what shall we say? God, inflicting the wrath, is unrighteous? I speak according to man. <a href="/kjv/romans/3.htm">King James Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) <a href="/nkjv/romans/3.htm">New King James Version</a> But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) <a href="/nasb_/romans/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking from a human viewpoint.) <a href="/nasb/romans/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) <a href="/nasb77/romans/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) <a href="/lsb/romans/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is the God who inflicts wrath unrighteous? (I am speaking in human terms.) <a href="/amp/romans/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God is not wrong to inflict His wrath [on us], is He? (I am speaking in purely human terms.) <a href="/csb/romans/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness highlights God’s righteousness, what are we to say? I am using a human argument: Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? <a href="/hcsb/romans/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness highlights God&#8217s righteousness, what are we to say? I use a human argument: Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? <a href="/asv/romans/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.) <a href="/cev/romans/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If our evil deeds show how right God is, then what can we say? Is it wrong for God to become angry and punish us? What a foolish thing to ask. <a href="/erv/romans/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.) <a href="/gwt/romans/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But if what we do wrong shows that God is fair, what should we say? Is God unfair when he vents his anger on us? (I'm arguing the way humans would.) <a href="/gnt/romans/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> But what if our doing wrong serves to show up more clearly God's doing right? Can we say that God does wrong when he punishes us? (This would be the natural question to ask.) <a href="/isv/romans/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> But if our unrighteousness serves to confirm God's righteousness, what can we say? God is not unrighteous when he vents his wrath on us, is he? (I am talking in human terms.) <a href="/msb/romans/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. <a href="/net/romans/3.htm">NET Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he? (I am speaking in human terms.) <a href="/nheb/romans/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? (I am speaking in human terms). <a href="/wbt/romans/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man.) <a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But if our unrighteousness sets God's righteousness in a clearer light, what shall we say? (Is God unrighteous--I speak in our everyday language-- when He inflicts punishment? <a href="/web/romans/3.htm">World English Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And if our unrighteousness establishes God’s righteousness, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who is inflicting the wrath? (I speak after the manner of a man.) <a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But if our unrighteousness shows God's righteousness, what shall we say? God, inflicting the wrath, is unrighteous? I speak according to man. <a href="/ylt/romans/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And, if our unrighteousness God's righteousness doth establish, what shall we say? is God unrighteous who is inflicting the wrath? (after the manner of a man I speak) <a href="/slt/romans/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And if our injustice shall recommend the justice of God, what shall we say God not unjust bringing in anger? (I speak as man).<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But if our injustice commend the justice of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust, who executeth wrath? <a href="/cpdv/romans/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But if even our injustice points to the justice of God, what shall we say? Could God be unfair for inflicting wrath? <a href="/nabre/romans/3.htm">New American Bible</a> But if our wickedness provides proof of God’s righteousness, what can we say? Is God unjust, humanly speaking, to inflict his wrath? <a href="/nrsvce/romans/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.)<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now if our iniquity serves to establish the righteousness of God, what then shall we say? Is God unjust when he inflicts his anger? I speak as a man. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But if our evil establishes the justice of God, what shall we say? Is God doing evil by bringing forth his wrath? I am speaking as a man.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But if our unrighteousness causes God's plan of justifying men to be better known, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous, who inflicts punishment? I speak as a man. <a href="/godbey/romans/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust administering wrath? I speak according to a man. <a href="/haweis/romans/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is not God unrighteous in inflicting wrath? (I speak humanly).<CM> <a href="/mace/romans/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but say you, "if our unfaithfulness displays the veracity of God, what shall we say? is it not injustice in God to inflict punishment?" <a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But if our unrighteousness sets God's righteousness in a clearer light, what shall we say? (Is God unrighteous--I speak in our everyday language-- when He inflicts punishment? <a href="/worrell/romans/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But, if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous, Who visits with wrath? (I speak after the manner of a man). <a href="/worsley/romans/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> "But if our unrighteousness confirm the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is not God unrighteous, who inflicteth his wrath?" (I speak as a man) God forbid: <a href="/parallel/romans/3-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=614" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">God Remains Faithful</a> …4Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.” 5<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/93.htm" title="93: adikia (N-NFS) -- Injustice, unrighteousness, hurt. From adikos; injustice; morally, wrongfulness.">unrighteousness</a> <a href="/greek/4921.htm" title="4921: synistēsin (V-PIA-3S) -- To place together, commend, prove, exhibit; instrans: I stand with; To be composed of, cohere. ">highlights</a> <a href="/greek/1343.htm" title="1343: dikaiosynēn (N-AFS) -- From dikaios; equity; specially justification.">the righteousness</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: eroumen (V-FIA-1P) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">shall we say?</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">That</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">is</a> <a href="/greek/94.htm" title="94: adikos (Adj-NMS) -- Unjust, unrighteous, wicked. Specially, heathen.">unjust</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2018.htm" title="2018: epipherōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To bring forward (against), impose, inflict. From epi and phero; to bear upon, i.e. Adduce (accuse, inflict), superinduce.">to inflict</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3709.htm" title="3709: orgēn (N-AFS) -- From oregomai; properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment.">wrath on us?</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I am speaking</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">in</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpon (N-AMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">human terms.</a> 6Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4</a> Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. <a href="/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17</a> Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, <a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a> Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” <a href="/psalms/89-14.htm">Psalm 89:14</a> Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You. <a href="/psalms/96-13.htm">Psalm 96:13</a> before the LORD, for He is coming—He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness. <a href="/psalms/98-9.htm">Psalm 98:9</a> before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a> He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He. <a href="/isaiah/45-21.htm">Isaiah 45:21</a> Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. <a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1-3</a> Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. / What will you do on the day of reckoning when devastation comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth? <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a> Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? <a href="/2_chronicles/19-7.htm">2 Chronicles 19:7</a> And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” <a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1</a> Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? <a href="/ezekiel/18-25.htm">Ezekiel 18:25</a> Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? <a href="/matthew/16-27.htm">Matthew 16:27</a> For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. <a href="/john/5-30.htm">John 5:30</a> I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man)But if.<a href="/romans/3-7.htm">Romans 3:7,25,26</a> For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? … <a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20,21</a> For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, … what shall.<a href="/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1</a> What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?<a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1</a> What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?<a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7</a> What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.Is God.<a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Romans 2:5</a> But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;<a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19</a> Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.<a href="/romans/9-18.htm">Romans 9:18-20</a> Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth… I speak.<a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Romans 6:19</a> I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.<a href="/1_corinthians/9-8.htm">1 Corinthians 9:8</a> Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?<a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">Galatians 3:15</a> Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/11-17.htm">Clearer</a> <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Clearly</a> <a href="/acts/20-32.htm">Commend</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-18.htm">Commendeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Commends</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-3.htm">Demonstrates</a> <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/2-9.htm">Human</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-18.htm">Inflicts</a> <a href="/acts/28-4.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/romans/2-19.htm">Light</a> <a href="/acts/26-4.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/romans/2-12.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/john/12-26.htm">Serves</a> <a href="/john/19-12.htm">Sets</a> <a href="/romans/2-15.htm">Show</a> <a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/acts/26-31.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/25-7.htm">Supported</a> <a href="/luke/14-32.htm">Terms</a> <a href="/acts/24-15.htm">Unjust</a> <a href="/acts/24-15.htm">Unrighteous</a> <a href="/romans/2-8.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Using</a> <a href="/acts/28-4.htm">Vengeance</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-3.htm">Visiteth</a> <a href="/romans/3-2.htm">Way</a> <a href="/romans/2-8.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/romans/2-8.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/7-15.htm">Clearer</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-19.htm">Clearly</a> <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Commend</a> <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Commendeth</a> <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Commends</a> <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Demonstrates</a> <a href="/romans/3-7.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Human</a> <a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Inflicts</a> <a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/romans/7-13.htm">Light</a> <a href="/romans/3-27.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/romans/3-8.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/romans/14-18.htm">Serves</a> <a href="/romans/13-2.htm">Sets</a> <a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Show</a> <a href="/romans/4-6.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/colossians/2-19.htm">Supported</a> <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Terms</a> <a href="/romans/9-14.htm">Unjust</a> <a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Unrighteous</a> <a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">Using</a> <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Vengeance</a> <a href="/job/31-14.htm">Visiteth</a> <a href="/romans/3-6.htm">Way</a> <a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/romans/4-7.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 3</div>1. <a href="/romans/3-1.htm">The Jews prerogative;</a> 3. <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">which they have not lost;</a> 9. <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;</a> 20. <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">therefore no one is justified by the law;</a> 28. <a href="/romans/3-28.htm">but all, without difference, by faith, only;</a> 31. <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">and yet the law is not abolished.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God This phrase addresses the paradox of human sinfulness serving to underscore God's perfect righteousness. In biblical context, this reflects the broader theme of God's holiness contrasted with human imperfection, as seen throughout Scripture (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a>). Theologically, it suggests that human failure can inadvertently magnify God's glory and justice, similar to how darkness makes light more apparent. This concept is echoed in the story of Joseph, where his brothers' wrongdoing ultimately led to God's plan for saving many lives (<a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a>).what shall we say? This rhetorical question invites the reader to consider the implications of the previous statement. It is a common device used by Paul to engage his audience in critical thinking (e.g., <a href="/romans/6.htm">Romans 6:1</a>). Historically, this method of questioning was prevalent in Jewish teaching, encouraging disciples to explore deeper truths. It challenges believers to reflect on the nature of God's justice and the human condition.That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? Here, Paul anticipates an objection that might arise from his argument. The question of God's justice is central to theodicy, the defense of God's goodness despite the existence of evil. Biblically, God's wrath is a response to sin, as seen in the Old Testament (e.g., the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in <a href="/genesis/19.htm">Genesis 19</a>). This phrase underscores the belief that God's judgments are inherently just, aligning with His character as a righteous judge (<a href="/psalms/7-11.htm">Psalm 7:11</a>).I am speaking in human terms. Paul clarifies that he is using human reasoning to address complex theological issues. This acknowledgment highlights the limitations of human understanding when grappling with divine mysteries. It reflects a common biblical theme where God's ways and thoughts are higher than human ways (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). By stating this, Paul emphasizes the need for humility and reliance on divine revelation to comprehend God's nature and actions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Romans, addressing the believers in Rome. He is known for his theological insights and missionary journeys. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_roman_church.htm">The Roman Church</a> The audience of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile Christians, facing issues of unity and understanding of the Gospel. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The central figure whose righteousness and justice are being discussed in relation to human unrighteousness. 4. <a href="/topical/h/humanity.htm">Humanity</a> Represented as unrighteous, highlighting the contrast with God's perfect righteousness. 5. <a href="/topical/t/theological_debate.htm">Theological Debate</a> The event or context in which Paul is addressing a potential misunderstanding about God's justice and human sinfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_righteousness.htm">Understanding God's Righteousness</a> God's righteousness is absolute and not dependent on human actions. Our sinfulness only serves to highlight His perfect nature. <a href="/topical/t/the_justice_of_god.htm">The Justice of God</a> God is just in His wrath against sin. His justice is not compromised by our unrighteousness; rather, it is affirmed. <a href="/topical/h/human_perspective_vs._divine_truth.htm">Human Perspective vs. Divine Truth</a> Paul uses human terms to address a complex theological issue, reminding us that our understanding is limited compared to God's infinite wisdom. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_sin_in_revealing_god's_character.htm">The Role of Sin in Revealing God's Character</a> While sin is never to be pursued, its existence underscores the need for God's grace and the magnificence of His righteousness. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_light_of_god's_righteousness.htm">Living in Light of God's Righteousness</a> Recognizing our unrighteousness should lead us to repentance and a deeper appreciation for God's grace and justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 3</a> <a href="/q/if_sin_shows_god's_glory,_why_condemn_us.htm">(Romans 3:5) If our unrighteousness serves to display God’s righteousness, how can God justly condemn us for something that ultimately highlights His glory? </a> <a href="/q/does_lying_for_god_negate_free_will.htm">(Romans 3:7) If a lie can enhance God’s truth, why are we still held responsible for sin, and doesn’t this contradict free will? </a> <a href="/q/how_do_hosea_2_19-20_vows_fit_with_god's_covenant.htm">How do the vows of renewed betrothal in Hosea 2:19–20 fit with earlier scriptures that suggest God’s covenant with Israel was already established and unbreakable? </a> <a href="/q/is_lev._18_5_vs._rom._3_20_a_contradiction.htm">Leviticus 18:5 promises life through obedience, yet Romans 3:20 says the Law can't grant righteousness. Is this an irreconcilable contradiction?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) But if our unrighteousness.--A new and profound question suggests itself to the mind of the Apostle, and his keen intellect will not let it go: "If the sin (here the unbelief) of man only tends to vindicate (commends or establishes) the righteousness of God, why should that sin be punished?" The mere raising of such a question requires an apology; it is only as a man might speak about man that he dares to utter such a thought. That, too, is an impossible objection, for if it held good there could not be any judgment. No sin would be punishable, for all sin would serve to emphasise the strict veracity of God in His denunciations of it, and therefore would ultimately conduce to His glory. It would thus cease to be sinful, and there would be nothing to hinder us from adopting the principle that is so calumniously attributed to us--that it is lawful to do evil that good may come. A calumny it is, and any such principle with all that appertains to it--i.e., with the whole of the preceding argument,--is justly condemned.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 5, 6. - But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall We say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (so the Authorized Version; rather, brings the wrath upon us (ὁ ἐπιφέρων τὴν ὀργήν), with reference to the Divine wrath against sin, spoken of above). I speak after the manner of men. God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world! The purport of this reply appears sufficiently in the paraphrase given above. But the intended Bearing on the argument of ver. 7 is not at once apparent. <a href="/commentaries/romans/3-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. if Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. unrighteousness ἀδικία (adikia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_93.htm">Strong's 93: </a> Injustice, unrighteousness, hurt. From adikos; injustice; morally, wrongfulness. highlights συνίστησιν (synistēsin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4921.htm">Strong's 4921: </a> To place together, commend, prove, exhibit; instrans: I stand with; To be composed of, cohere. the righteousness δικαιοσύνην (dikaiosynēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1343.htm">Strong's 1343: </a> From dikaios; equity; specially justification. of God, Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. shall we say? ἐροῦμεν (eroumen) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say. [That] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [is] μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. unjust ἄδικος (adikos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_94.htm">Strong's 94: </a> Unjust, unrighteous, wicked. Specially, heathen. to inflict ἐπιφέρων (epipherōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2018.htm">Strong's 2018: </a> To bring forward (against), impose, inflict. From epi and phero; to bear upon, i.e. Adduce (accuse, inflict), superinduce. [His] τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wrath [on us]? ὀργήν (orgēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> From oregomai; properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment. I am speaking λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. in κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). human terms. ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/3-5.htm">NT Letters: Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/3-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 3:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 3:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/3-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 3:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 3:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>