Devine Scripture

Romans 3:6

What does Romans 3:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:6 means

Paul rejects the idea that God is unjust in judging sin. If God could not righteously respond to human unrighteousness, there would be no final judgment at all. Yet the universal belief that God judges the world stands. Therefore, his wrath against sin is not contrary to his righteousness but an expression of it. The moral order depends on a Judge who discerns and acts justly. This verse restores moral sanity against clever-sounding excuses. It assures the reader that the God who is true will not abdicate his role as Judge. His justice is not compromised by human sin; it is displayed in his right judgment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In no way: because if it is so, how is God able to be the judge of all the world?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

let it not be! since how shall God judge the world?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

(I speak according to man.) God forbid! Otherwise how shall God judge this world?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Far be the thought: since how shallGod judge the world?

Context

This verse answers the human objection raised in verse 5 with a strong denial: God’s justice is not up for debate. If he were unjust, final judgment would be impossible, yet Scripture and conscience acknowledge such judgment. Verses 7–8 will expose the further sophistry of claiming that a lie that increases God’s glory should not be judged. Paul refuses any logic that turns sin into a virtue. With those evasions dismissed, he will, in verse 9, restate the universal indictment and then, in verses 10–18, cite a string of Scriptures to prove that all are sinners, leading to the law’s purpose and the need for righteousness apart from law (verses 19–21).

v.5But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.)

v.6This passage

v.7But if the truth of God through my lie abounded unto his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 18:25

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

  • Psalms 9:8

    And he will judge the world in righteousness, He will minister judgment to the peoples in uprightness.

  • Job 8:3

    Doth God pervert justice? Or doth the Almighty pervert righteousness?

  • Psalms 96:13

    Before Jehovah; for he cometh, For he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with his truth.

  • Psalms 11:5

    Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

  • Psalms 98:9

    Before Jehovah; for he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with equity.

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