ROMANS 3:8

“And why not say (just as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), ‘Let’s do evil that good may come of it?’ Their condemnation is deserved.”

Man, these past few verses have been a tough grind. You have to back up and reread verses 1-7 of chapter 3. Context is always key. For instance, in today’s verse, if you just took out the phrase “Let’s do evil that good may come of it” you would totally pervert what Paul is teaching here. You have to look at the whole picture.

Then Paul says that those who pervert the truth he and others have been teaching are worthy of condemnation. The word for “condemnation” is kríma which, according to HELPS Word studies, is “(‘the results of a judgment’) dramatically links cause-to-effect. Indeed, every decision (action) we make carries inevitable eternal results.” We have to remember that. Our choices have consequences – every time. It could be a good one or a bad one.

APPLICATION

Paul goes so far as to say, “their condemnation is deserved.” Endikos is the Greek word translated here as “deserved.” Some translations say “just.” That’s probably a closer definition. It’s only used one other time in the New Testament in Hebrews 2:2 (I’m adding 3b to give a fuller context). “2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every violation and act of disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

I quote Psalm 51:1-4 most mornings as I pray. Verse 4 carries the same idea Paul is writing here in Romans 3:8. David wrote in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” God has the right to judge our sin because He is the antithesis of sin. He is holy and righteous!

Ask yourself today if there is a sin in your life which you have become comfortable with. I can think of something right now in my life. As I write this, I am confessing it as sin and asking the Lord to cleanse me. I don’t want anything to come between the Lord and myself. I pray the same for you.

Forgive me, Lord, for taking salvation for granted and not continuing to stay “confessed up.”

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