New Testament
Romans 3:4
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Absolutely not! Let God be true and every person a liar. As it is written, 'So that you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.'
Compare translations
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
What Romans 3:4 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Romans 3:4, Paul emphasizes the absolute truth of God compared to human fallibility. He asserts that God is always truthful, while humans often lie or misrepresent the truth. This statement is supported by scripture, highlighting that God's words are justified and true. When judged, God's truth will prevail, demonstrating His righteousness. This verse serves as a reminder that despite human shortcomings, God's integrity remains unblemished. It encourages believers to trust in God's promises and to recognize that human opinions can be flawed. Ultimately, it reassures us that God's judgment is fair and just, and that He will always be vindicated in His words and actions, regardless of human judgment or misunderstanding.
How to apply Romans 3:4 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust in God's truth over human opinions. In our daily lives, we should seek to align our beliefs and actions with God's word, recognizing that His truth is unwavering. When faced with judgment or criticism, remember that God's perspective is what truly matters, and His truth will ultimately prevail.
Curated for this public verse page. Romans Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Peter's story: Andrew Brings Simon to Jesus (John 1:40–42)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Peter
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Romans 3:4
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Romans 3:4
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Romans
- Author
- Paul the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 57
- Genre
- Letter (epistle)
- Original Audience
- Christians in Rome
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Romans 3:4 mean?
Romans 3:4 emphasizes that God is always truthful, while humans can be deceitful. It asserts that God's truth will prevail, and His words are justified, even when judged by others.
What is the meaning of 'let God be true, but every man a liar' in Romans 3:4?
This phrase highlights the contrast between God's absolute truth and human dishonesty. It suggests that while people may misrepresent the truth, God's integrity remains perfect and unchallenged.
How does Romans 3:4 relate to divine judgment?
The verse indicates that God's truth will prevail in the face of judgment. It reassures that when God is judged, His righteousness will be evident, and He will be justified in His words.
What themes are present in Romans 3:4?
Key themes in Romans 3:4 include the truth of God, human fallibility, scriptural authority, justification, divine judgment, and the faithfulness of God.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.