“For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?” (Romans 3:3).
The Apostle Paul continued his brief Q&A session here in Romans 3:3 by asking, “What if some of the Jewish people were faithless? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?” To put it another way, “Will God be unfaithful because some are unfaithful to Him?” Paul responded to that question with a resounding no…
“Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: ‘That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged’” (Romans 3:4).
To illustrate the idea behind these statements, let’s consider a contemporary expression of faithlessness: the belief that “god” does not exist, and the universe is merely a product of random chance. While some may disbelieve in the idea of a Creator, their disbelief has no bearing on the question of His existence. In other words, a lack of faith on our part does not invalidate God’s existence. Nor does it negate His faithfulness to us. As Paul would later write in the Biblical letter we know today as 2 Timothy, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
In addition, one source draws an interesting correlation between Romans 3:3 and the psychological theory of projection. This describes a condition where someone attributes (or “projects”) an undesired thought, emotion, or impulse to someone (or something) else…
“Paul is calling attention to a point of difference between God and humanity. We are, by our sinful nature, covenant breakers. We do not always tell the truth. We do not always keep our promises. Does this mean that we can project our own sinfulness onto God and suggest that God might from time to time break his promises?
…It is utterly unthinkable that God would ever break a promise. But God never said people would be redeemed by unrighteousness or by disobeying his commandments. He never promised automatic salvation apart from faith. Instead, God has the perfect right to judge sin.” (1)
In light of this, we must take care to avoid projecting our negative experiences with untrustworthy human beings onto God, for we can always rely on God’s faithfulness towards us. Finally, we would also do well to remember the message of Hebrews 11:6…
“But without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
(1) Sproul, R. C. (1992). Before the face of God: Book 1: A daily guide for living from the book of Romans (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; Ligonier Ministries.