Romans 3:3
3 For [gar] what [tis] if [ei] some [tis] did not believe [apisteo]? [me] shall [katargeo] their [autos] unbelief [apistia] make [katargeo] the faith [pistis] of God [theos] without effect [katargeo]? KJV-Interlinear
3 What
if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of
God? ESV
The issues that Paul is addressing are those same
issues or arguments that the local Jewish community were making.
The first argument is that God chose the Jewish
people, therefore all Jews should be saved by default.
Not so says Paul.
God chose the race for their faith, but in fact some did not believe in
God or the savior or in the scriptures that He provided, yet they presumed that
they were saved nonetheless.
So, if God treats a sinful Jew the same as He treats a
sinful gentile, then of what value is there to being a Jew? Of what value is there to Gods faithfulness?
And Paul explains that the genetics of humanity are
not the issue, but faith is the issue.
God can turn stones into genetically perfect descendants
of Abraham. And He can do it in an
instant. After all, God created Adam out
of the dust and Adam was immediately an adult human man. God took a rib and Eve was immediately an
adult human woman. God created a
universe instantly out of nothing and it was an immediate billions or years old
universe. So turning rocks into people
is nothing for God.
But being created does not save. People have to choose their future, and that
choice is through faith. They cannot
work for salvation, cannot earn salvation.
It is a gift from God through the work of Christ on the Cross. We as people merely have to accept it, if we
want it.
And unfortunately some reject the gift, which is their
right also, but God makes sure that they know the consequences resulting from
either choice – heaven or hell. But in
every case, people choose, and God does not force that choice.
Therefore, God is faithful, regardless of what people
do or do not do. Gods promise does not depend on mans acceptance or approval of
that promise. Gods promise does not
depend on how many people accept or do not accept the promise. That is grace. God has no strings attached to His promises.
They are freely given, and are freely available to all.
