1Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? 2Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God. 3For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? 4May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written,
“that you might be justified in your words,
and might prevail when you come into judgment.”
5But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do. 6May it never be! For then how will God judge the world? 7For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let’s do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.
9What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10As it is written,
“There is no one righteous;
no, not one.
11There is no one who understands.
There is no one who seeks after God.
12They have all turned away.
They have together become unprofitable.
There is no one who does good,
no, not so much as one.”
13“Their throat is an open tomb.
With their tongues they have used deceit.”
“The poison of vipers is under their lips.”
14“Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15“Their feet are swift to shed blood.
16Destruction and misery are in their ways.
17The way of peace, they haven’t known.”
18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. 20Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, 23for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 24being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; 26to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time, that he might himself be just and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.
27Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
31Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.
The Beautiful Business of Redemption
The Stoning of Stephen
The conduct described above is a willful disregard for the truth. Satan is the Prince of this World, and he is in the business of blinding the lost from the truth. The heart of all men is desperately wicked. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Note also that Saul was passionate, but he was evil. He didn’t know he was wicked. He thought he was defending God and the truth. Perhaps this is why Saul, who would later be renamed Paul, learned so much and later wrote extensively about the grace of God. How can we make sense out of what we read? There is so much in these few verses. As preachers often say, “This will preach!” And, I will add that it would be content for an entire sermon series.
The world is wicked, and it is hostile to the gospel. We are promised as believers that we will partake in the suffering that goes with sharing the gospel. In many countries, believers are killed for their belief in Jesus. This is real, and it is going on in the world today. But there, among those who persecute and antagonize believers, God is at work. We should never discount God’s desire to redeem even the persecutors. That’s what He did with Saul. Saul became Paul, and his passion for “what is right” became focused on the right thing. It is not only a miracle that God changed Saul’s heart, but also that the church then accepted him. I’m not sure we would be as forgiving or trusting of God's mercy and grace.
But let us never forget that God is in the beautiful business of redemption. He is not willing that any should perish. And “any” includes some pretty treacherous people. May we each stand firm in the faith today, and may we each be bold in our witness of the gospel message. I am grieved to say that some of Stephen's experiences will inevitably come to a few of us. And, there will be a little of Saul and Paul in others. Commit today to be bold in your witness, patient in your suffering, passionate for the right things, and to be forgiving of those who do you harm. Yes, there is a lot in these verses to think about and much to learn. Part of the promise of Jesus is that we will share in His suffering. Don’t find it so shocking when some of that comes your way.