BibleWord.ai› Bible› Romans› Chapter 3› Verse 6

Romans 3:6

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 3:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
Romans 3:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3For what if some were without faith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God?
4God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.
5But if our righteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.)
6God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
7But if the truth of God through my lie abounded unto his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?
8and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.
9What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin;
← Romans 3:5Romans 3:7 →
← Full Chapter 3 Romans Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“God forbid, for then how shall God judge the world?] hlylj, “far be it”; such a notion is detestable and abominable, nor can it be fairly deduced from what is asserted; for it is the unrighteousness of his own people, on whom he takes no vengeance personally, and not the unrighteousness of others, on whom he does take vengeance, which commends his righteousness; and supposing it was that of others, God cannot be unrighteous in performing his threatenings, in a way of righteousness: moreover, unrighteousness is sin, and does not of itself but by accident, illustrate the righteousness of God; wherefore God is not unjust in punishing it; for how should God “judge the world?” whereas nothing is…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God forbid; for then how shall God judge the world?--that is, "Far from us be such a thought; for that would strike down all future judgment.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God forbid - Note, Romans 3:4. For then - If it be admitted that it would be unjust for God to inflict punishment. How shall God ... - How will it be right or consistent for him to judge the world. Judge - To “judge” implies the possibility and the correctness of “condemning” the guilty; for if it were not right to condemn them, judgment would be a farce. This does not mean that God would condemn all the world; but that the fact of judging people implied the possibility and propriety of condemning those who were guilty. It is remarkable that the apostle does not attempt to explain how it could be that God could take occasion from the sins of people to promote his glory; nor does he even…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“God forbid - By no means. If it were unjust in God to punish that unrighteousness which is subservient to his own glory, how should God judge the world - Since all the unrighteousness in the world will then commend the righteousness of God. Romans 3:7”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“God forbid: Rom 3:4 for then: Gen 18:25; Job 8:3, Job 34:17-19; Psa 9:8, Psa 11:5-7, Psa 50:6, Psa 96:13, Psa 98:9; Act 17:31 Romans 3:7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Romans 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification