Romans 3 4

Romans 3:4 kjv

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Romans 3:4 nkjv

Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."

Romans 3:4 niv

Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

Romans 3:4 esv

By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged."

Romans 3:4 nlt

Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, "You will be proved right in what you say,
and you will win your case in court."

Romans 3 verses

Romans 3 4 Meaning

Romans 3:4 unequivocally asserts God's absolute truthfulness and unwavering faithfulness, contrasting it sharply with the universal unreliability of humanity. It emphatically rejects any notion that human unfaithfulness or sin can diminish or nullify God's steadfast character. The verse then reinforces this foundational theological truth by citing an Old Testament scripture, proclaiming that God is ultimately vindicated and triumphs when His words, actions, or judgments are evaluated.

Romans 3 4 Context

Romans chapter 3 builds on Paul's preceding argument that both Gentiles and Jews are under the power of sin (Rom 1:18-3:20). Before fully unfolding the doctrine of justification by faith in Romans 3:21ff, Paul addresses potential Jewish objections or questions regarding their unique covenantal relationship with God. In Romans 3:1, he raises the rhetorical question about the advantage of being a Jew or of circumcision, acknowledging that much advantage lay in their reception of "the oracles of God" (Rom 3:2). Romans 3:3 then anticipates the natural follow-up question: "What if some of them proved unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?" Romans 3:4 is Paul's forceful and unequivocal answer to this crucial question. It affirms that the infidelity of man has no bearing whatsoever on the steadfast truthfulness of God, thereby preserving the integrity of God's character and His divine promises, setting the stage for His righteous act of justification through Christ, available to all, irrespective of human merits or failures.

Romans 3 4 Word analysis

• By no means! (Gk: Mē genoito!): This powerful Greek interjection translates to "God forbid!", "Absolutely not!", or "Let it not be!" Paul uses it eleven times in Romans, always to vehemently reject a potential misinterpretation or illogical conclusion of his arguments. Its emphatic nature here highlights the abhorrence of the idea that God's character could be undermined by human actions.
• Let God be true (Gk: Genesthō ho Theos alēthēs): This phrase contains an imperative verb (genesthō, from ginomai), meaning "let it happen" or "let Him be recognized." Ho Theos means "God." Alēthēs means "true, trustworthy, reliable." It is a foundational theological statement that serves as a non-negotiable principle. It asserts that God is inherently, truly, and infallibly trustworthy in His being, character, and words.
• though every man a liar (Gk: pas anthrōpos pseustēs): This directly contrasts God's inherent truth with universal human fallibility. Pas anthrōpos means "every man," signifying all humanity. Pseustēs means "liar" or "untruthful." This statement points not just to active deception, but to humanity's pervasive failure, sinfulness, and unreliability in contrast to divine perfection. It's a statement about our nature, prone to error, faithlessness, and sin.
• as it is written (Gk: kathōs gegraptai): A standard formula introducing a divinely authoritative Scripture quote. It denotes the Old Testament's foundational role in apostolic teaching, lending divine backing to Paul's assertion. The quote is from Psalm 51:4 (LXX version).
• That you may be justified in your words (Gk: hopōs an dikaiōthēs en tois logois sou): Dikaiōthēs (from dikaioō) here means "to be vindicated," "to be proven righteous," or "to be shown to be just." This refers to God's vindication. "In your words" (en tois logois sou) refers to God's statements, promises, decrees, or judgments. The context of Psalm 51:4 (David's confession after his sin) reveals that even when humans sin, it serves to highlight and prove God's righteousness in His judgment of that sin.
• and triumph when you judge (Gk: kai nikēsēs en tō krinesthai se): Nikēsēs (from nikaō) means "to conquer," "to prevail," or "to be victorious." Krinō means "to judge" or "to contend in judgment." This phrase signifies that God, when His character or actions are under scrutiny (even in judging humanity), will always be victorious, proven correct, and shown to be fully just and righteous. It affirms His impeccable and unchallenged authority as the ultimate Judge.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "Let God be true though every man a liar": This is an axiomatic statement about God's intrinsic nature. It means God's truthfulness is absolute and does not depend on, nor is it affected by, human adherence to truth or lack thereof. Human unreliability cannot shake divine reliability.
  • "That you may be justified in your words, and triumph when you judge": This combined clause from Psalm 51:4 encapsulates the consequence of God's absolute truth. It means that when God makes a declaration or delivers a judgment, especially concerning sin, His words are validated, and His justice is irrefutably demonstrated. Any attempt to question His fairness only serves to further confirm His righteousness.

Romans 3 4 Bonus section

• Polemics against Humanism: The verse indirectly argues against any system that posits human rationality or virtue as the ultimate standard of truth or justice. It asserts God's truth as sovereign and self-validating, transcending human fallibility and judgment.
• Assurance of Promises: For believers, this verse offers immense assurance. Even when personal faith wavers, or the world seems chaotic and unbelieving, God's nature remains constant and His promises immutable. This provides stability and an enduring basis for trust.
• Forensic Language: The phrase "justified in your words, and triumph when you judge" uses forensic (legal) language, setting the stage for Paul's discourse on divine justification. It emphasizes God's standing in a courtroom setting, where He is ultimately shown to be in the right, even when human beings are proved guilty.

Romans 3 4 Commentary

Romans 3:4 serves as a linchpin in Paul's theological argument, establishing the unimpeachable character of God before proceeding to address human sin and divine justification. It forcefully rebuffs the idea that human unfaithfulness, even the historical infidelity of Israel to their covenant, could somehow compromise God's promises or His very nature. God's truth and faithfulness are presented as intrinsic and non-negotiable, a bedrock truth upon which all theology must be built. The powerful "By no means!" (Mē genoito!) underlines the absurdity and blasphemy of suggesting otherwise.

By quoting Psalm 51:4, a text where King David, a covenant leader, acknowledges God's perfect justice in judging his egregious sin, Paul underscores that even human sin (which seemingly defies God's commands) paradoxically serves to magnify God's perfect righteousness and unwavering justice. When God declares judgment or fulfills a promise, He is perpetually vindicated in His pronouncements, and His inherent rightness is proven paramount. This principle ensures that the divine basis for salvation (His perfect justice) remains untouched by human fallibility, thereby validating His gracious provision for justification through faith alone, as expanded in the following verses.