Is God Unjust for Punishing Sinners?
Thinking about Romans 3:5-6.
But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? (Romans 3:5-6)
Paul reminded the Jews of their advantage - they had the Scriptures and could know more about God and His promises. Even though many Jews had been unfaithful to God and failed to respond in faith to the Messiah, God was still faithful - He still kept His promises.
Apparently, some Jews argued that if what Paul was saying was true, wouldn’t that mean that their “unrighteousness” demonstrated God’s righteousness? And if their sin led to God’s greater glory, how could God judge them for their sin?
Wouldn’t it be “unjust” for God to inflict wrath upon them for their sin - when their sin at least “demonstrated” God’s righteousness?
Paul is quick to disagree with this line of reasoning.
Paul was so horrified by what has just been proposed - that God could under any condition be considered “unrighteous” - that he immediately separated himself from it by saying, I am speaking in human terms. (For similar words, see 6:19; 1 Corinthians 9:8; 15:32; Galatians 3:15) - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 108
This line of reasoning would actually get rid of all judgment - since everyone, not just the Jews, could claim that their sin “demonstrated” God’s righteousness.
IF the Jew’s unfaithfulness manifests the faithfulness of God, then by the same token, the unfaithfulness of the world manifests the fidelity and faithfulness of God, and NONE should be punished. - Wacaster, Studies in Romans, 108
The Jewish objector would use God’s ability to turn sin to his glory as a shield from wrath. But if the Jewish objector could do it so could every other person. When the judgment arrived EVERY MAN IN CREATION could approach the judgment seat claiming exemption from wrath on the grounds that “My sin helped God!” That kind of argument would do away with the judgment of the world! - McGuiggan, Romans, 113
Paul quickly points out that God is not unjust in punishing sinners. He is faithful and trustworthy in His promises while at the same time being just and judging according to truth (Romans 2:2).
One of the most significant challenges in learning about God is not to overemphasize or underemphasize one of His attributes over another (for example, His grace over His justice).
In our passage in Romans, Paul points out to some Jews that their understanding of God was not biblically balanced. They were minimizing God’s justice toward themselves.
Paul has spent quite a bit of time in Romans emphasizing God's judgment upon sinners. This is an essential part of understanding who God is.
It may not be the most comforting thought in the world to think of God as the righteous Judge who will pour out His judicial wrath upon sinners - but it’s a necessity to truly understand God for who He is. It’s a vitally important point in the message of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17).
God is not unjust in punishing sinners - and that’s not a slight against God. It shows how terrible sin is and how holy God is.