F rom the parenthesis “(as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say)” we know that false charges had been made against the apostle. The critics were accusing Paul in a series of lies they made up. First, they falsely claim that the more wicked a person is, the more he glorifies God by contrast. Second, that the more a person lies, the more he exalts God’s truthfulness by comparison. These enemies of the Gospel were charging Paul with the devious accusation that his gospel of salvation by grace through faith was giving license to sinners to sin with impunity (exemption from punishment). They were twisting the Gospel of grace in saying that in God’s eyes, doing evil was good because it amplified God’s holiness. One characteristic of man’s sinful nature is his cunning ability to rationalize sin. Every sinner even children, are clever at giving good reasons for doing bad. The enemies of the Gospel were making excuses by rationalizing that their sins glorified God. Was not “doing evil for good” also our wayward thinking before we were saved by grace? Did we not try to wiggle out of sin when confronted? Even now the carnal desires of our old self are still there. Hence, to get right, we must yield to the Lord in humble prayer – “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” [Psalm 139:23-24]. Then we go on to obey Roman 12:21 – “Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good”.
LESSON
For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 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.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20
THOUGHT
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