Romans 3:4 reads, “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.” King James Version (KJV)
| Translation | 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.” |
| NASB | May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.” |
| 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.” |
| 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.” |
Also, see the meaning of I Have Learned To Be Content in the Bible.
Let God Be True and Every Man Be a Liar: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
3:1-8 The law could not save in or from sins, yet it gave the Jews advantages for obtaining salvation. Their stated ordinances, education in the knowledge of the true God and his service, and many favours shown to the children of Abraham, all were means of grace, and doubtless were made useful to the conversion of many.
But especially the Scriptures were committed to them. Enjoyment of God’s word and ordinances, is the chief happiness of a people. But God’s promises are made only to believers; therefore the unbelief of some, or of many professors, cannot make this faithfulness of no effect.
He will fulfil his promises to his people, and bring his threatened vengeance upon unbelievers. God’s judging the world, should for ever silence all doubtings and reflections upon his justice.
The wickedness and obstinate unbelief of the Jews, proved man’s need of the righteousness of God by faith, and also his justice in punishing for sin.
Let us do evil, that good may come, is oftener in the heart than in the mouth of sinners; for few thus justify themselves in their wicked ways.
The believer knows that duty belongs to him, and events to God; and that he must not commit any sin, or speak one falsehood, upon the hope, or even assurance, that God may thereby glorify himself. If any speak and act thus, their condemnation is just.
Also, see the meaning of Come Out From Among Them in the Bible.
Romans 3:4 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
God forbid—literally, “Let it not be,” that is, “Away with such a thought”—a favorite expression of our apostle, when he would not only repudiate a supposed consequence of his doctrine, but express his abhorrence of it.
“The Scriptures do not authorize such a use of God’s name as must have been common among the English translators of the Bible” [Hodge].
yea, let God be—held
true, and every man a liar—that is, even though it should follow from this that every man is a liar.
when thou art judged—so in Ps 51:4, according to the Septuagint; but in the Hebrew and in our version, “when thou judgest.” The general sentiment, however, is the same in both—that we are to vindicate the righteousness of God, at whatever expense to ourselves.
Also, see the meaning of Flee From Sexual Immorality in the Bible.
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