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My thoughts on each verse
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Discussion questions
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Romans 3:1-2
Paul gives a rhetorical question which he answers immediately. It looks like he is going to answer with a list of things, but answers with one single thing. I'm not seeing any application of this verse in my life except to hold the words of God as a precious treasure. I've been entrusted with it and should hold it more dearly than anything.
Romans 3:3-8
Here again, Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions and answers them immediately. They seem absurd at first but they are logical questions for people who think being Jewish is enough for salvation. It seems the people slanderously misquoting Paul got half of the truth and stopped their. They saw an opportunity to pervert the truth for personal gain. After all, what could be better to a pagan people than glorifying God through every form of sinful pleasure?
Romans 3:9
Everyone is equally under sin. There is no distinction or exception. So much of the Bible is simplistic statements. If applied, the world would drastically change. I think a lot of pride would go down if everyone recognized this simple truth.
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Romans 3:1-8
Humans have every devilish resource available to help them justify sin. It is a skill that is frighteningly advanced in all of us.
- What lies do you let yourself believe?
- How can we maintain perspective and remain firm in righteousness?
Let God Be True Though Every Man a Liar
[Piper 3:1-8] 
Why God Inspired Hard Texts
[Piper 3:1-8]
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Romans 3:10-18
Not only is everyone under sin, which sounds cliché and not quite that bad; not only is everyone unrighteous, but people are downright evil. The second half of Paul's rant sounds terrible "their throats are open graves…swift to shed blood…", but don't be myopic. Don't brush over the worst things these people did in the first half of the rant, "no one who seeks God. All have turned away…" It is surprising to me that Paul says they have become worthless. But as you read, it seems they are less than worthless and downright harmful.
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Romans 3:10-18
- Living in a body with a natural bend towards sin and in a world at war with God, what should our response be as Christians?
All Jews and Gentiles Are Under Sin
[Piper 3:9-18]
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Romans 3:19-20
This is a very interesting way of stating the purpose of the law. The message here is, "Don't try." It is impossible, far from impossible given our state as ones who've turned our backs on God. But what is impossible with man, is possible with God (Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, Luke 18:27). Praise God!
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Jesus Is Precious Because He Removes Our Guilt
[Piper 3:19-26]
Mouths Closed and All the World Accountable to God
[Piper 3:19-20]
How Is It Right to Justify the Ungodly?
[Piper 3:20-4:5]
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Romans 3:21
Paul has just spelled out the clear fact that humans cannot be considered righteous on their own merit. This verse transitions to the greatest news of all time. That God provided another way for us to be considered righteous before Him. Amen! It’s gettin’ good!
Romans 3:22-24
This is the Good News, the Gospel. Righteousness comes through believing in Jesus Christ. There is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, all have sinned, all fall short, and all are justified who believe in Christ's work on the cross.
Romans 3:25-26
God's sacrificing of His Son Jesus shows His justice. Christ's fulfillment of God's punishment is enough to cover the sins of the whole world, but it is only extended to those who put their faith in Jesus.
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Romans 3:21-24
- After hearing “there is no one righteous”, what response should we have when we learn that “a righteousness from God…has been made known?”
- How does this change our view of other people?
Romans 3:21-26
- What does this tell us about God?
- What character qualities should we apply to our lives?
- What does this passage say about equality and racism?
God Justified the Ungodly
[Piper 3:21-4:8]
God Vindicated His Righteousness in the Death of Christ
[Piper 3:21-26]
The Demonstration of God's Righteousness, Part 1
[Piper 3:21-26]
The Demonstration of God's Righteousness, Part 2
[Piper 3:21-26]
The Demonstration of God's Righteousness, Part 3
[Piper 3:21-26]
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Romans 3:27
It is important to Paul that nobody boasts about their imputed righteousness. Boasting takes glory from Christ and might also lead others to believe they can be righteous without Christ.
Romans 3:28
This verse states very plainly that justification was through faith and not by observing the law.
Romans 3:29-30
This supports the main thesis of the Perspectives class, that God has always been working towards blessing all peoples of the world. These verses also prevent Christianity from becoming nationalistic.
Romans 3:31
This is another way of saying "faith without works is dead."
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Romans 3:27-28
- How does our pride handle this truth?
Justification by Faith Establishes the Law
[Piper 3:27-31]
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Chapter