The Nugget:
Rom 3:7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
My Comment:
This is the proof-text that some Muslims (and perhaps some of the Hebrew Roots movement) use to prove from the Bible that Paul was a liar and otherwise a heretic.
Christians need to know their Bible better so that they can refute such claims. So, listen up!
The Muslim claim:
“What about Paul who supplied more books in the Bible than Jesus and the Bible itself said Paul lied? Can’t you see the basis of your faith is all about lies and deception that [has] transformed to madness?”
My Question:
Where does the Bible itself say that Paul lied? Please give the exact book, chapter, and verse reference so I can verify your claim. Thank you.
The Muslim Response:
“Romans 3:7 for sure.”
My Answer:
Thank you for your help.
Rom 3:7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
Rom 3:8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
One of the important rules of interpretation is that we must consider the context of the verse we are seeking to correctly understand.
By context, in this instance, I refer to what comes before the verse, and most especially in this case, what comes after this verse.
Careful attention to Romans 3:8 shows that Paul is not affirming the statement of Romans 3:7, but is reporting the false reasoning and false slander that has been made against Paul and the Christians.
Therefore, Paul is not here telling a lie. Rather, he is reporting and commenting upon the lie, the false charges, spoken against him and his fellow Christians.
See if you can find a clearer example than Romans 3:7.