Romans 3:4
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
God forbid
G3361
μὴ
God forbid
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 26
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γινέσθω
be
G1096
γινέσθω
be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 26
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
γινέσθω
be
G1096
γινέσθω
be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 26
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
6 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
13 of 26
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Ὅπως
That
G3704
Ὅπως
That
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
14 of 26
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
δικαιωθῇς
be justified
G1344
δικαιωθῇς
be justified
Strong's:
G1344
Word #:
16 of 26
to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγοις
sayings
G3056
λόγοις
sayings
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
19 of 26
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 51:4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.Psalms 116:11I said in my haste, All men are liars.Galatians 2:17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;Job 36:3I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.Psalms 100:5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.Psalms 119:160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Historical Context
Psalm 51 was Israel's premier penitential psalm, recited in synagogue liturgy. Paul's audience would immediately recognize the reference to David's adultery and murder. By citing David, Paul employs an argumentum ad hominem: if even Israel's prototype king confesses God's righteousness in condemning him, the argument is closed.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you approach God with David's radical honesty about your sin, or do you minimize and excuse?
- How does God's commitment to His own righteousness actually serve as the foundation for gospel hope?
- What does it mean practically that God must be "true" even if "every man a liar"?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar. Mē genoito (μὴ γένοιτο, "God forbid/may it never be") is Paul's strongest negation—appearing ten times in Romans alone. God's truthfulness is axiomatic; human mendacity is universal. Paul quotes Psalm 51:4 (LXX 50:6), David's confession after his sin with Bathsheba: That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
The forensic language is striking: God is dikaiōthēs (δικαιωθῇς, "justified/vindicated") in His words and nikēsēs (νικήσῃς, "overcome/prevail") when judged. Even when God's own chosen king became an adulterer and murderer, David acknowledged that God's condemnation was righteous. If David—a man after God's heart—admits he deserves judgment, what hope has any other human? Paul uses Israel's greatest king to prove universal guilt.