When you want to justify your sin, you will ask dumb questions. This was a dumb question.
Although it didn’t start that way. Paul has just made the case that as abhorrent as the sinful behavior of the Gentiles, the Jews are no better. They are equally sinful.
Paul anticipates their questions:
1) Then what is the point of being a Jew? Or the advantage of circumcision?
Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God (Romans 3:2)
2) But aren’t some Jews unfaithful? Uh…yes. Does that unfaithfulness nullify or cancel the faithfulness of God?
Strange question. But Paul answers.
By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,
“That you may be justified in your words,
and prevail when you are judged” (v. 4).
3) Doesn’t our sin make God look good?
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) (v. 5).
What they are asking is, why does God judge us if our unrighteousness makes God look good? Dumb question. But Paul answers.
By no means! For then how could God judge the world? (v. 6)
If God glorified in sin because it made him look good, then he couldn’t judge the world. But sin never glorifies God.
4) Why does God judge us if we are making him look good?
But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come? —as some people slanderously charge us with saying (v. 7-8).
Paul replies simply.
Their condemnation is just (v. 8)
This whole argument is kind of dumb. At the core is the issue, if there is no one righteous, and Jews are no better than others, then why don’t we just give ourselves to our lustful desires and fleshly pleasures. Because it makes God look good. And if it makes God look good, then why would He ever judge us?
This kind of thinking reveals a bent towards sin. That instead of wanting to please God, they are wanting a license to do what they want to do.
Paul shuts down every argument.
Some have said that Christians have it easy. They are saved by faith and can just go on sinning. This whole dialogue defeats that argument. There is judgment and expectation that we will turn from sin. Paul is going to hit this hard later. This is just the warm-up.