In Romans, after Paul has stated that all people need justification because they are under sin (Romans 1). He then explains that the Jews misunderstood justification because they wrongly believed that merely having Abraham as an ancestor, the scriptures from Moses, and Jewish religious rituals gave them an advantage regarding justification (Romans 2). In Romans 3, he handles potential misunderstandings. When one considers the gospel of justification by faith, one could misunderstand who God is, how He saves his people, and what He desires for his people. We’ll find clarity about those facts by walking through the objections that Paul anticipates from his readers.

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.