Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Question 9

In Romans 3:8 Paul says the “let us do evil that good may come” slander is condemned, and Ambrosiaster says faith “provides a cure for sin…men can live by God’s law and sin no longer”; how does that claim about faith-as-cure challenge common assurances that someone can be “under grace” while remaining comfortably practiced in the same sins?

Another way to ask: Paul condemns the idea of doing evil so good can come, and Ambrosiaster says faith is a cure that helps people stop sinning. How does that challenge the belief that someone can be “under grace” while staying comfortable in the same sins?

Direct Answer The transcript teaches that grace and faith do not promote sin; instead, faith is meant to heal and change people so they can stop sinning, which challenges the idea that being “under grace” leaves someone comfortably settled in ongoing wrongdoing.

Support from Transcript:

Paul summarizes the twisted conclusion: “Let us do evil, that good may come,” and says, “Their condemnation is just.”
Clement of Alexandria is cited: some “twist the meaning” of Scripture to fit “their own desires.”
Ambrosiaster explains the accusation: because apostles preached “forgiveness of sins,” opponents claimed Christians taught we should sin more.
Ambrosiaster’s correction: this is “blasphemy” and a “total misrepresentation”; “The doctrine of faith does not promote sin, for it teaches that God will judge sinners.”
He adds faith “provides a cure for sin,” so “having once recovered…men can live by God’s law and sin no longer.”

Discussion Follow-ups What would it mean to treat the gospel as a “cure” rather than a permission slip? How might “God will judge sinners” belong inside a faithful message of grace?

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Jumpstarter 9 of 10