C. The Conclusion is Positive (3: 19, 20) "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that everymouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (3: 19). The word "know" (Gr. oida) suggests a positive knowledge, a knowledge that is commonly accepted as sure and certain. The evidence was presented, and there cannot be a doubt in anyone's mind as to what the verdict should be. Sometimes in a human court it is difficult for both judge and jury to determine guilt. But the trial we have just wit nessed was held in Heaven's court with the omniscient and righteous Judge presiding. The final ruling to be handed down was not decided on mere circumstantial evidence but upon a positive knowledge. The conclusion is positive. In all fairness to his countrymen the Jews, Paul wants them to know they are included in the verdict. "Now we know that what things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law . .. "(3: 19). He had just quoted from the Jewish Scriptures that proved all men to be sinners (3:9-12), and now he wants them to know that they are included in the final verdict. The heathen stands condemned on the basis of creation, the hypocrite on the basis of his con science, but the Jew on the basis of the commandments. The Jews were "under the law," thus they could offer no defense because they violated the commandments. Being under the law, which they had violated, they are likewise under sin (3:9). Every Jew knows that the Law was not given to Gentiles but to Israel, therefore he must know also that his failure to keep the Law brings him under its condemna tion. For the Jew who admits to this, grace and mercy will be extended to him, but to those who reject the truth, judg ment without mercy is certain. One reason God gave the Law was "that everymouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (3: 19). Every mouth, Jews as well as Gentiles, will be silenced in the day of judgment. The word "stopped" (Gr. phrasso) means to stop up, close up, fence in. God will close up every mouth so that there will be a silent world. The mouth of the heathen, the hypocrite and the Hebrew, all will be closed tight. Some persons have boasted that if there is a future judgment, they will stand before God and defend 92
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker