Romans 3:3 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For what if some did not believe? &c.— This and the following verse are generally understood as a continuation and explication of the Apostle's answer in the second verse; whereby the sense of the third and fourth verses is generally embarrassed, as they will not admit of a connection with the second verse. For in truth, Romans 3:3 is not the words of the Apostle, but a second question or objection advanced by the Jews: nor is γαρ, for, a causal, shewing the reason why the having the oracles of God committed to them was a privilege, notwithstanding their unbelief; but the original words τι γαρ, are interrogative, and may be translated, well, and what? And thus the phrase is frequently used in Xenophon's Memoirs of Socrates: see particularly, lib. 2. 100. 6 sect. 2. Whence it appears that the phrase τι γαρ, in a dialogue, and when the word τι has no following substantive to agree with it, is a form of introducing another question or objection by the inquirer. And as the Apostle in this place is carrying on a dialogue after the Socratic manner, it is to be understood as advancing a new question or objection; and thus every thing stands right and easy, which otherwise is in great disorder. Did not believe, should rather be, Have not been faithful; that is to say, have not been obedient. See 1 Pet. ii 7. The Jew here alludes to the charge of wickedness which the Apostle had brought against the Jews in the foregoing chapter. St. Paul has the same sentiment as the next clause in chap. Romans 9:6. He is speaking of the same thing in both places; and therefore evidently the faith of God, here, is the same with the faith of God, there, or that faithful promise which he made to Abraham. See Genesis 17:7-8. Tillotson's Sermons, vol. 12: serm. 1. The verse may be rendered, For what if some of them were unfaithful, shall their unfaithfulness make void the faithfulness of God?