Romans 3:8

And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

And {G2532} not {G3361} rather,(as {G2531} we be slanderously reported {G987}, and {G2532} as {G2531} some {G5100} affirm {G5346} that we {G2248} say {G3004},){G3754} Let us do {G4160} evil {G2556}, that {G2443} good {G18} may come {G2064}? whose {G3739} damnation {G2917} is {G2076} just {G1738}.

Indeed! Why not say (as some people slander us by claiming we do say), “Let us do evil, so that good may come of it”? Against them the judgment is a just one!

Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!

and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

Commentary

Romans 3:8 is a powerful verse where the Apostle Paul addresses a serious slander against the gospel message he preached. He is defending his teaching on God's grace and righteousness through faith, which some twisted into a justification for continuing in sin.

Context

This verse follows Paul's extensive argument in Romans 1-3 that all humanity, both Gentiles and Jews, is under sin and in need of salvation (Romans 3:23). Having established that righteousness comes not by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, Paul anticipates potential objections and misunderstandings. One such twisting of his message of abundant grace was the idea that if grace is magnified by sin, then perhaps one should sin more so that grace can increase. Romans 3:8 directly confronts this malicious interpretation, which some were falsely attributing to Paul and his fellow teachers.

Key Themes

  • Slander Against the Gospel: The verse highlights how the truth can be deliberately misrepresented or misunderstood, leading to false accusations against those who preach it.
  • Antinomianism Rejected: Paul vehemently rejects the idea that the gospel of grace allows or encourages sin. This is a clear refutation of any teaching that suggests Christian liberty means freedom from moral responsibility. This theme is further explored in Romans 6:1-2.
  • Just Judgment: Paul concludes with a stark warning that those who promote such a perversion of the gospel, using it as an excuse for evil, face a just judgment from God.
  • Integrity of the Message: The verse underscores the importance of accurately representing the gospel and living a life consistent with its truth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Let us do evil, that good may come" represents a perverse form of consequentialism, suggesting that a good outcome could justify sinful actions. Paul presents this not as a logical deduction from his teaching, but as a slanderous lie ("as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say"). His strong condemnation ("whose damnation is just") shows how utterly he rejects this idea.

Reflection

Romans 3:8 serves as a timeless warning against distorting God's grace into a license to sin. It reminds us that while salvation is by grace through faith, genuine faith produces a life of righteousness, not rebellion. We are called to live in a way that honors God, not to use His grace as an excuse for ungodly behavior. The verse also encourages us to be vigilant against misrepresentations of biblical truth, both from outside and within the church.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 6:1

    ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

  • Romans 6:15

    What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

  • Romans 7:7

    ¶ What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

  • Romans 5:20

    Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

  • Jude 1:4

    For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Matthew 5:11

    Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

  • 1 Peter 3:16

    ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
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