Romans 3:4
Read Romans 3:4
Helpful Background Information:
This small but helpful verse in Romans is key to understanding what Jesus is doing in his marriage/divorce debate with the Pharisees. In Romans 3, Paul says this in the middle of a long, flowing argument.
In Romans 1, the Apostle addresses obvious Gentile sin, and then switches in Chapter 2 to address those who judge others: primarily Jews who rely on the law. Paul goes out of his way to emphasize that God judges Jew and Gentile impartially, external marks such as circumcision do not guarantee righteousness, and that truly belonging to God is one who is circumcised at heart. Hence, Paul is dismantling the idea that Jewish identity alone guarantees favor with God.
However, Paul anticipates an objection: “If Jews are judged like Gentiles, what was the point og being God’s chosen people?” Paul answers by saying they were entrusted with God’s words, yet many Jews were unfaithful to what they were entrusted with. Paul then answers another objection in Romans 3:3, “If Israel was unfaithful, does that mean God’s promises have failed?” To this, Paul responds in our verse: Let God be true even though everyone is a liar.” In saying this, Paul shows that even when God judges the Jews for their unbelief, he is proven right, not unfaithful.
Going back to Mark 10:1-12, we see Jesus has a similar idea in mind - the righteous, faithful, truthful character of God. The essential thrust of 10:1–12 is the unbreakability of the marriage bond as intended and instituted by God. Jesus does not conceive of marriage in terms of how one can easily get out of it, but on the grounds of its design and purpose by God. Human failure, no matter how wicked, no matter how many times humans fail in handling marriage, does not change God’s purpose.
Reflection Questions:
What would it look like for you to trust that God remains faithful even when people, or even you, fail?
Have you ever felt discouraged by repeated human failure, your own or others’, and how does Romans 3:4 speak into that?
How does believing in God’s unchanging truth shape the way you approach difficult relationships (Familial, Friendships, etc.)?