The Meaning of Romans 3:6 Explained

Romans 3:6

KJV: God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

YLT: let it not be! since how shall God judge the world?

Darby: Far be the thought: since how shall God judge the world?

ASV: God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

God forbid:  for then  how  shall  God  judge  {5719} the world? 

What does Romans 3:6 Mean?

Study Notes

world
kosmos = mankind.
The Greek word kosmos means "order," "arrangement," and so, with the Greeks, "beauty"; for order and arrangement in the sense of system are at the bottom of the Greek conception of beauty.
When used in the N.T. of humanity, the "world" of men, it is organized humanity-- humanity in families, tribes, nations--which is meant. The word for chaotic, unorganized humanity--the mere mass of man is thalassa, the "sea" of men (e.g.) Revelation 13:1 (See Scofield " Revelation 13:8 ") . For "world" (kosmos) in the bad ethical sense, "world system" John 7:7 .

Context Summary

Romans 3:1-8 - God Faithful Though Men Be Faithless
The Jewish people had a great treasure entrusted to them for the benefit of the whole world. This position as stewards for mankind conferred upon them very special privileges, but also exposed them to searching discipline, if they should prove faithless. Some of these advantages are enumerated in Romans 9:4-5. But our failures cannot cancel God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, 2 Timothy 2:13. We may always reckon confidently upon His steadfastness to His engagements, whether to the individual or to the nation. It is wonderful, Romans 3:5, how human sin has been a foil to God's glory, eliciting qualities in His love which otherwise had been unknown; but this cannot excuse our sinfulness.
If this excuse were admitted, God would clearly have been unjust in punishing sin as He has done; and if that line of argument were maintained, it would be right to do evil, if good were always the outcome. Such an admission would open the door to all kinds of abomination, and the mere suggestion of such a conclusion to this argument ought to silence the objector and cover him with shame. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 3

1  The Jews prerogative;
3  which they have not lost;
9  howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;
20  therefore no one is justified by the law;
28  but all, without difference, by faith, only;
31  and yet the law is not abolished

Greek Commentary for Romans 3:6

For then how [επει πως]
There is a suppressed condition between επει — epei and πως — pōs an idiom occurring several times in the N.T. (1 Corinthians 15:29; Romans 11:6, Romans 11:22). “Since, if that were true, how.” [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 3:6 mean?

Never may it be Otherwise how will judge - God the world
μὴ γένοιτο ἐπεὶ πῶς κρινεῖ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον

μὴ  Never 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μή 
Sense: no, not lest.
γένοιτο  may  it  be 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Optative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἐπεὶ  Otherwise 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἐπεί  
Sense: when, since.
πῶς  how 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πῶς  
Sense: how, in what way.
κρινεῖ  will  judge 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: κρίνω  
Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸς  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
κόσμον  world 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: κόσμος  
Sense: an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government.