Romans 3:1-20 -Paul is continuing to talk to his Jewish brothers here, he is responding to a dialogue that may have happened if he we having the conversation face to face. This leads one to believe Paul may have spoken to other Jewish brothers on this same discussion over circumcision and righteousness. -Paul does point out that his Jewish brothers have an advantage with the promise of God over the Jewish people, but also points out this does not void them from judgment. -Though the Jewish people have the promises of God, they will be judged for their faithfulness, and it is pointed out that the Gentiles have been provided justification through Jesus Christ (apart from the law). -The oracles of God referenced to in verse one is the Old Testament scripture spoken by the prophets, specifically the promises and covenants. So when it said "the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God", they were entrusted with the promises and covenants of God, they carried these as bearers. - In verse 3 Paul raises up God's faithfulness, and he is directing this at the Jews. We can take this in hand with the church today. Many compare the people with God on a regular basis. Well if this leader of the church cannot be faithful, how then could I trust the God they claim to serve? Though it is true that those who have received justification through God's covenants and Christ should be holding themselves up in the manner God does because he represents God and should be reflecting him. Let us remember what quoted in this very chapter, "None is righteous, no not one;..." -Verse 4 "may prevail when you are judged"- Paul is quoting the Septuagint of Psalms 51:4, presenting that God's judgment is justified and does not nullify His faithfulness. -Verse 5 proposes that God has an opportunity to show His righteousness through the judgement of the sins of the unrighteous. -Versus 9-20 Paul is showing here that universally we are all sinful, both Jews and Gentiles are under sin. In this being universal, the law does not lead to justification but only leads to the knowledge of sin. The only way to justification is through the faith in Jesus Christ. -In Paul's day he dealt with Jews who believe that because they bore the covenant and promises of God that they could in no way be equal to the Gentiles. Paul shows us here that though they are at an advantage sin is common between both nations. - "they deceive with their tongues" The Greek verb dolioō is used, meaning "to flatter with intention to do evil". -3:15 Sinful people speak harmful words also act on those words. - Sinful people cannot live in peace, especially among other people. The more weighted down in sin you are the harder it may become to be at peace with your brother. - The works of the law refers to the requirements of the law. The law emphasizes the practices distinguished between Jews and Gentiles such as certain ceremonial observations like circumcision, food laws, and Sabbath laws. Though people can observe these laws, as Paul points out they will still fall short of observing everything in the law. As Gentiles, we must also remember that we have been written a new covenant in blood that applies us to justification through the faith in Jesus Christ. (This is not saying that we are not to keep the commandments given to Moses, Issac and Abraham, but that some have truly been written out and it needs to be extinguished through scripture which is Jewish law and which still applies to Gentiles. Romans 3:21-31 - Recommended! I highly recommend writing down or printing verses 21-31 and reading is now and then, this gives us a greater understanding of our nature and yet the nature of God our Father as well in how just and loving He is. - Paul has already made note in previous versus that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin and that the righteousness of God is available equally through the faith of Jesus Christ. Man cannot be justified by law but only by faith. - "But Now" tells us that there is a shift here in what Paul is discussing, a shift in his argument. Here he transitions in the history of salvation and began with the death and resurrection of Jesus. -Remember Paul is not negating the law, but saying the law testifies to the revelation of God's righteousness besides the the requirements of the Jewish law. - The gift of righteousness is a gift to all without bounds of nations or circumstances. Both Jews and Gentiles have failed and will continue to fail to meet the righteousness of God. - Being justified is to be set apart or declared righteous, refers to both the acquittal of all charges and provision of right status before God.