What if some did not have faith?This phrase addresses the issue of unbelief among the Jewish people, who were the initial recipients of God's promises. Historically, Israel was chosen to be God's people, yet not all Israelites believed in God's promises or followed His commandments. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where despite God's faithfulness, many Israelites turned to idolatry and disobedience (e.g.,
Exodus 32, the Golden Calf incident). The question posed here is rhetorical, highlighting the reality of unbelief even among those who are part of the covenant community.
Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
This phrase emphasizes the steadfastness of God's character. Despite human unfaithfulness, God's promises and faithfulness remain unchanging. This is consistent with the biblical narrative, where God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and His promises to Israel are not dependent on human faithfulness but on His own nature. Theologically, this underscores the doctrine of God's immutability and faithfulness, as seen in passages like2 Timothy 2:13, "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself." It also points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's faithfulness to humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the believers in Rome, providing theological insights into the nature of faith and God's faithfulness.
2.
Jewish BelieversThe immediate audience includes Jewish Christians who are grappling with the implications of faith and the law in light of the gospel.
3.
Gentile BelieversAlso part of the Roman church, Gentile believers are learning about their inclusion in God's promises despite not having the Jewish law.
4.
God's FaithfulnessA central theme in this verse, highlighting God's unwavering commitment to His promises despite human unbelief.
5.
UnbeliefThe condition of some individuals who do not have faith, which Paul addresses to clarify its impact on God's promises.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness is UnchangingDespite human unbelief, God's promises and faithfulness remain constant. This assures believers that their faith is grounded in a reliable and steadfast God.
The Role of Human FaithWhile human faith is important, it does not determine God's faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises, knowing that His plans are not thwarted by human doubt.
Encouragement in Times of DoubtBelievers may encounter seasons of doubt or encounter others who lack faith. This verse reassures us that God's faithfulness is not dependent on human belief, providing comfort and encouragement.
The Importance of Faith in CommunityIn a community of believers, some may struggle with faith. This passage encourages the community to support one another, knowing that God's faithfulness covers all.
Faith as a Response to God's FaithfulnessOur faith is a response to God's already demonstrated faithfulness. Believers are called to live out their faith in gratitude and trust in God's promises.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Romans 3
(James 2:14-17) Doesn't insisting on works contradict passages elsewhere that claim faith alone is sufficient for salvation (e.g., Romans 3:28)?
Why does Matthew 25 appear to emphasize good works (Matthew 25:31-46) when other passages stress faith alone (e.g., Romans 3:28)?
How do these verses in Job 25 reconcile with other biblical texts that affirm human worth and righteousness through faith (e.g., Romans 3:22)?
Can a person be righteous? (Romans 3:10 vs. Luke 1:5-6)(3) For what if.-What (follows) if, &c. Or we may take the first two words by themselves, and throw the next two clauses together. How stands the case? If some rejected the faith, shall their rejection make void or defeat the faithfulness of God?
The Apostle considers an objection that might be brought against his argument that the divine revelation vouchsafed to them was a special privilege of the Jewish people. It might be said that they had forfeited and cancelled this privilege by their unbelief. He first reduces the objection to its proper limits; it was notall, butsome, who were unbelievers. But granting that there were some who did not believe this fact would have no power to shake the eternal promises of God.
Verse 3. -
For what if some (
τινες. The expression does net denote whether many or few; it only avoids assertion of universality of unbelief (cf.
Romans 11:17;
1 Corinthians 10:7), though it is implied in the following verso that, even if it had been universal, the argument would stand)
did not believe?shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? Alford renders
ἠπίστησαν "were unfaithful," taking it in the sense of being "unfaithful to the covenant, the very condition of which was to walk in the ways of the Lord, and observe his statutes;" and this on the ground that the apostle is not as yet speaking of faith or the want of it, but, in accordance with the idea of the preceding chapter, of
ἀδίκια (ver. 5) and moral guilt. But the meaning of words must not be forced to meet the views of interpreters; and we observe that
ἀπιστεῖν and
ἀπιστία are ever elsewhere used in their proper sense to denote want of
faith (cf.
Matthew 13:58;
Matthew 17:20;
Mark 6:6;
Mark 16:11, 14, 16;
Luke 14:11, 41;
Acts 27:24;
Romans 4:20;
Romans 11:20, 23;
1 Timothy 1:13;
2 Timothy 2:13). Still, it is to be observed that in the passage before us
ἀπιστία in man is opposed to
πίστις in God, so as to suggest a more general sense of
ἀπιστία than mere
unbelief. In view of this opposition, we may adopt the rendering of the whole passage in the Revised Version: "What if some were without faith? Shall their want of faith," etc.? Meyer and others, understanding (as said above) by
λόγια the Divine oracles which were prophetic of Christ, refer
ἠπίστησαν exclusively to the disbelief in him on the part of the majority of the Jews at the time of writing. But the aorist tense of the verb, as well as the context, is against the idea of such reference, at any rate exclusively. The context, both in ch. 2. and the latter part of this chapter after ver. 9, certainly suggests rather reference to the failure of the Jews throughout their history to realize the advantage of their privileged position; and this failure might properly be attributed to their want of faith, to the
καρτδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας (
Hebrews 3:12), cf.
Hebrews 3:19;
Hebrews 4:2, together with
Romans 4:11.
Ἀπιστία in these passages is regarded as the root of
ἀπειθεία. On the other hand, the whole drift of ch. 11. in this Epistle - where the
presentἀπιστία of the chosen people shown in their rejection of the gospel is spoken of as not hindering, but furthering, the righteous purpose of God, and redounding in the end to his glory - suggests a like reference here. And it may have been in the apostle's mind, though, for the reasons above given, it can hardly be the only one in the passage before us.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
WhatΤί(Ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101:Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.ifεἰ(ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.someτινες(tines)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.did not have faith?ἠπίστησάν(ēpistēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 569:To be unfaithful, disbelieve, refuse belief, prove false. From apistos; to be unbelieving, i.e. disbelieve, or disobey.{Will} theirαὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.lack of faithἀπιστία(apistia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 570:Unbelief, unfaithfulness, distrust. From apistos; faithlessness, i.e. disbelief, or unfaithfulness.nullifyκαταργήσει(katargēsei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2673:From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.God’sΘεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.faithfulness?πίστιν(pistin)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102:Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.
Links
Romans 3:3 NIVRomans 3:3 NLTRomans 3:3 ESVRomans 3:3 NASBRomans 3:3 KJV
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NT Letters: Romans 3:3 For what if some were without faith? (Rom. Ro) 
