Romans 3 7

Romans 3:7 kjv

For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

Romans 3:7 nkjv

For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

Romans 3:7 niv

Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?"

Romans 3:7 esv

But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?

Romans 3:7 nlt

"But," someone might still argue, "how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?"

Romans 3 verses

Romans 3 7 Meaning

Romans 3:7 presents a rhetorical question from an imagined objector, building on the thought from Romans 3:5. It poses the scenario that if a person's unfaithfulness (their "lie" or sin) somehow highlights or magnifies God's faithfulness and glory, then why should that person still be condemned as a sinner? This verse expresses a perverse logic: that if good comes from evil, then the evil should not be judged. Paul introduces this distorted reasoning only to powerfully refute it in the subsequent verse, establishing that sin, even if God uses its contrast to show His glory, always justly merits judgment.

Romans 3 7 Context

Romans 3:7 is situated within Paul's broader argument (Rom 1:18-3:20) that all humanity—Gentiles and Jews alike—are under the power of sin and justly condemned before a righteous God. Following Romans 3:1-4, where Paul addresses the supposed advantage of the Jew regarding God's faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness, he introduces the objection in verse 5 that if human unrighteousness "commends" God's righteousness, is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? Verse 7 is a reiteration and slight rephrasing of this very same objection, put forth as a rhetorical question by an imagined critic of Paul's teaching. The objector implies that if one's "lie" contributes to God's glory, then God should not judge that lie. Paul immediately refutes this logic in verse 8, stressing that such a premise would lead to the absurd and unbiblical conclusion of doing evil so that good may result, which he strongly condemns. This entire section underscores God's absolute holiness, justice, and the universality of human guilt.

Romans 3 7 Word analysis

• For if: Ei gar (Greek). Introduces a conditional, hypothetical statement, continuing the logical objection. It signifies "if indeed" or "supposing that."

• the truth of God: tēn alētheian tou Theou (Greek). Refers to God's faithfulness, reliability, veracity, and consistency with His own character and promises. It signifies His absolute trustworthiness.

• hath more abounded: perisseusasai (Greek). Means "to superabound," "to excel," "to overflow." The thought is that God's truth or faithfulness becomes more evident and manifest by being contrasted with human unfaithfulness or "lie."

• through my lie: dia tēs emēs pseudias (Greek). "My lie" here is not just an individual falsehood, but more profoundly, human unfaithfulness, deceit, or unrighteousness. It refers to human sin in its active rebellion and contradiction to God's truth.

• unto his glory: eis tēn doxan autou (Greek). Denotes the ultimate purpose or result. It means to redound to God's praise, honor, and renown. The suggestion is that human sin, in demonstrating God's consistent justice and truth, somehow enhances God's glory.

• why yet am I also judged: Ti eti kagō krinomai (Greek). A rhetorical question challenging the consistency of God's action. "Why am I still judged?" "Why am I too judged?" Implies if my sin glorified God, then my judgment is unfair.

• as a sinner: hōs hamartōlos (Greek). Meaning "like a sinner," implying a state of condemnation for wrong actions, highlighting the just desert of sin.

• "truth of God hath more abounded through my lie": This phrase highlights the stark contrast. God's alētheia (truth, faithfulness) is amplified by humanity's pseudia (falsehood, unfaithfulness). This does not mean sin is good or necessary, but that God's steadfastness becomes clearer when set against human vacillation and disobedience. It is a reality that God can and does use evil for good (Gen 50:20), but this never condones the evil itself.

• "unto his glory": While it is true that God's glory is demonstrated in His righteous judgment of sin, this does not exonerate the sinner. The very fact that sin exists provides a canvas for God to demonstrate His holy nature, His justice, and His mercy through redemption.

Romans 3 7 Bonus section

The rhetorical structure found in Romans 3:1-8, especially in verses 5 and 7, is characteristic of diatribe, a common Greek philosophical technique involving a dialogue with an imaginary opponent. Paul skillfully employs this to anticipate and refute potential misunderstandings or objections to his radical message of salvation by faith alone. The "my lie" argument is a specific challenge to God's justice, implying that if the effect of human sin is to amplify God's glory, then judgment of the sinner appears hypocritical or arbitrary. This false premise necessitates the emphatic refutation that follows in verse 8, demonstrating that Paul is not endorsing such a viewpoint but exposing its flawed reasoning. God does not need sin to be glorified; rather, He permits it and justly deals with it, thereby displaying His holy character.

Romans 3 7 Commentary

Romans 3:7 functions as a sharp, rhetorical objection raised by an imaginary interlocutor to Paul's gospel. The core of the argument is that if God is glorified by human sin (in the sense that His faithfulness is magnified by the contrast with our unfaithfulness, as hinted in verse 5), then judging the sinner seems unjust or contradictory. This verse highlights a perverse, but logically tempting, attempt to excuse sin: "If my wrong serves to show Your right, then where is my fault?"

Paul does not concede this point. Instead, he presents it as an absurdity, a logical cul-de-sac that demonstrates a misunderstanding of God's character. God's sovereignty means He can draw good even out of evil circumstances, but this in no way lessens the culpability of the evildoer. Sin is an affront to God's holy nature and carries inherent guilt, regardless of how God, in His infinite wisdom, might use its existence to reveal more of His own attributes. To suggest that sin should be left unpunished because God gains glory from its contrast implies that God somehow needs sin, or that His justice is dependent on it—ideas profoundly contrary to God's character (Jas 1:13). The divine glory manifested through judgment is an affirmation of God's righteousness, not a reason for the sinner to escape responsibility.