Romans 3, What advantage has the Jew?

Paul now answers some anticipated questions about True Religion.  This section involves a dialogue -- a conversation between the Jew skeptical to the gospel, and Paul.  It includes four questions and their answers.

Romans 3: 1-8, How can Jews, who are part of God's plan, be judged?

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?  Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?  Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge." 

But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?

Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?"  Why not say--as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say--"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.

Paul first question is "What is the advantage of being a Jew?".  Paul begins an answer and then seems to get sidetracked.  He will return to that question in chapters 9-11.  (I don't find Paul's answer all that helpful.  The Jews have the words of God -- but that also brings responsibility.)

Question 2 from Paul:  What if some did not have faith?  Can God be blamed for that?  
Answer: No, God still keeps his word. 

Question 3:  How can God be against unrighteousness, when it makes his righteousness clearer?  At one level, this is an empty question -- that God can turn evil into good is not an attribute of evil, but of God.  But underlying that question is the problem of evil -- why does there have to be any evil at all?  Certainly not to just make God look good!  Paul's phrase, "…[or else] how could God judge the world" does not answer the question -- one human response would be: "Exactly my point -- He shouldn't judge the world."

Paul Question 4 (verses 7-8) is an extension of question 3.

The quote in verse 4 is from Psalm 51:4.

Romans 3: 9-18, Sin is universal
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better [9]? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.  As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit."

"The poison of vipers is on their lips."

"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."

"Their feet are swift to shed blood;  ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know."

"There is no fear of God before their eyes."

This passage I understand.  It is so un-American, but true.  The appearance of goodness is often a result of societal pressure and personal calculation.  We are nice and friendly and helpful because it makes people like us and helps us feel good.  Self examination makes me aware that much of my "friendliness" helps me get past my own feelings of guilt and inadequacy.  After such self-examination, I revel in the strength and harshness of this passage.  Yes, yes!  Apparently everyone (not just me!) is selfish and dishonest, deep down!  And then we lie to ourselves in order to hide it all!

Opposition to this passage is, itself, a result of sin -- we try to convince ourselves that we are really not like this, by lying to ourselves -- one more sin on top of the others.

Paul hammers home his points -- familiar to knowledgeable Jews -- with a rapid-fire string of Old Testament quotations. Those quotations, in verses 11-17 are, in order, from Psalms 14:1-3, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Psalms 5:9, Psalms 140:3, Psalms 10:7, Isaiah 59:7-8 and Psalms 36:1.

Romans 3: 19-20,  Summary

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.  Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

So the law just brings consciousness of sin -- it doesn't correct it.  It is a thermometer, helping us see we have a fever.

Romans 3: 21-26, God's righteousness!  (A solution!)
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

We boast in Christ; we must rely on Him.  There is no other choice.

Romans 3: 27-31, More questions

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

What does "boasting" mean here?  Why can't one boast before God?  Why would one be able to boast before God, if salvation were based on works?