Romans 3 – question 2
In Romans 3:5, Paul writes, « But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say ? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath ? (I speak as a man.) » This phrase, « I speak as a man, » clarifies that Paul is using a line of reasoning that is typical of human thinking but does not align with the divine perspective. In other words, Paul wants his readers to understand that he is posing a rhetorical question based on human logic, which he will then refute to clarify the truth about God’s justice.
Here’s a more in-depth look at what this phrase means and why Paul includes it here.
1. Paul uses a « human » objection to anticipate a question
In this passage, Paul anticipates a possible objection that his listeners might raise, particularly to question God’s justice. He mentions a line of reasoning whereby someone might argue: if our Sin highlights God’s righteousness, then why does God judge us? This type of reasoning is typical of human logic, which seeks excuses to avoid condemnation, but it does not reflect divine holiness or logic.
By saying, « I speak as a man, » Paul emphasizes that he adopts this reasoning to illustrate what some might think, but he does not validate this logic. It is a way for him to present the argument as though someone were raising it, so he can answer it by showing that God’s justice far surpasses this limited human perspective.
2. The difference between divine and human perspectives on justice
By adding, « I speak as a man, » Paul is drawing attention to the fact that God does not judge as humans do. From a human perspective, one might think that God’s justice is unjust if He uses human unrighteousness to demonstrate His own righteousness. However, Paul wants to clarify that God’s justice is perfect and just, and He is not bound by limited or biased human reasoning.
Paul develops this idea further in 1 Corinthians 1:25, where he explains, « the foolishness of God is wiser than men. » This remark shows that divine logic, even when it seems difficult for us to understand, is far more perfect than any human logic.
3. Paul often uses this method to anticipate objections
Paul uses this rhetorical technique in several of his letters to anticipate and counter possible objections to his teachings. For example:
- In Romans 6:1, he anticipates the question, « What shall we say then? Shall we continue in Sin that Grace may abound? » Here, too, he adopts a « human » reasoning to show the absurdity of the idea and immediately refutes it by reminding readers that Grace is not an excuse to sin.
- In 1 Corinthians 9:8, he says, « Do I say this as a man? Or does not the law say the same also? » to signal that he will use a human reasoning, but that he finds an answer within the Law itself.
By using human reasoning to introduce an objection, Paul can better demonstrate divine truth by showing the limits of human logic when compared to the perfection of God’s plans.
4. Conclusion: A clarification to avoid misunderstandings
The phrase « I speak as a man » is therefore a clarification to avoid misunderstandings. Paul does not want readers to interpret his question as a genuine criticism of God. Instead, he wants his listeners to understand that God is perfectly just and that His justice is not dependent on human circumstances or our own perception of fairness.
Paul raises this question to strengthen his argument that even if God’s righteousness is revealed in contrast to human unrighteousness, this does not make God unjust in His judgments. On the contrary, God is entirely just in all things, and His justice transcends human understanding.