Rom 3:3 | RWP | e4.org | For what if? ( τ γαρ ει? ). But Westcott and Hort print it, Τ γαρ? ε . See for this exclamatory use of τ γαρ (for how? How stands the case?). Some were without faith ( ηπιστησαν ). First aorist active indicative of απιστεω , old verb, to disbelieve. This is the common N.T. meaning ( , ; ; ). Some of them "disbelieved," these "depositaries and guardians of revelation" (Denney). But the word also means to be unfaithful to one's trust and Lightfoot argues for that idea here and in . The Revised Version renders it "faithless" there. Either makes sense here and both ideas are true of some of the Jews, especially concerning the Messianic promises and Jesus. The faithfulness of God ( την πιστιν του θεου ). Undoubtedly πιστις has this sense here and not "faith." God has been faithful ( ) whether the Jews (some of them) were simply disbelievers or untrue to their trust. Paul can use the words in two senses in verse , but there is no real objection to taking ηπιστησαν, απιστιαν, πιστιν , all to refer to faithfulness rather than just faith.

‏ Romans 3:3

For what if? ( τ γαρ ει? ). But Westcott and Hort print it, Τ γαρ? ε. See Php 1:18 for this exclamatory use of τ γαρ (for how? How stands the case?).

Some were without faith ( ηπιστησαν ). First aorist active indicative of απιστεω, old verb, to disbelieve. This is the common N.T. meaning (Lu 24:11, 41; Ac 28:24; Ro 4:20). Some of them "disbelieved," these "depositaries and guardians of revelation" (Denney). But the word also means to be unfaithful to one's trust and Lightfoot argues for that idea here and in 2Ti 2:13. The Revised Version renders it "faithless" there. Either makes sense here and both ideas are true of some of the Jews, especially concerning the Messianic promises and Jesus.

The faithfulness of God ( την πιστιν του θεου ). Undoubtedly πιστις has this sense here and not "faith." God has been faithful (2Ti 2:13) whether the Jews (some of them) were simply disbelievers or untrue to their trust. Paul can use the words in two senses in verse 3, but there is no real objection to taking ηπιστησαν, απιστιαν, πιστιν, all to refer to faithfulness rather than just faith.