The questions for this week’s study were written by Russell Hollingsworth.
- Take a moment to pray. Praise God for His Word and ask Him to teach you its truth, just as the psalmist prayed in Psalm 119:12-16, “Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth. I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word.”
- Read Romans 3:19-20
- 3:19a says, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law…” Who is Paul referring to here? What was their primary advantage (Referring back to 3:1-2)?
- 3:19b says, “…so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.” What do you think Paul means when he says the “whole world held accountable to God?”
- “…every mouth may be silenced… (Romans 3:19)” Of this statement, John Piper says, “No mouth anywhere in the world – from the primitive tribe to the university lecture hall – will be able to raise a legitimate objection against God’s judgement.” Additionally, Tim Keller states, “To have your mouth silenced means no excuses…” How does Paul use Romans 1:20, Romans 2:15 and now Romans 3:19 to show that all will be silenced with no objection and no excuse?
- Paul uses 3:20 to bridge us from the very bad news he has been delivering since Chapter 1 to the very good news of the gospel. In his final point he states, “…no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law.” What does Paul say the law does for us? (Read Galatians 3:24. What ultimately does this understanding of the law do for us?)
To access the entire “Good News” Study, click here.
