Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Romans 3:4. It’s a really important message about human nature and how we’re judged. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, the verse says: “God forbids us to be truly righteous; we are all inherently flawed and untrustworthy.” Let's unpack that a little further: “God forbid: yea, let God be true…” – This is a warning. It’s saying that God doesn't want us to believe we can earn our way to salvation or righteousness through our own efforts (like good deeds or faith). It’s a challenge to our self-reliance. “every man a liar” – This means that humans are naturally inclined to lie, deceive, and be untruthful. We all have a tendency to twist things around, to not tell the truth, and to sometimes act in ways that aren't fair or honest. It’s like we’re all carrying around a little bit of dishonesty with us. “as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings…” – This is where it gets a bit more profound. The Bible says that our words matter when it comes to God's judgment. If we say things that are dishonest or untrue, those words become our truth. It’s like saying something false just because you think it's true. “and mightest overcome when thou art judged” – This means that if we’re caught out in dishonesty and lie, God will ultimately judge us fairly. And if we’re honest and truthful, we can be saved and have a better relationship with him. It emphasizes the importance of truthfulness as a key part of our relationship with God. In short: The verse warns that humans are inherently flawed and prone to lying. However, because we're all capable of lying, we are still justified (worthy of God’s grace) in the eyes of God because of our words, even if those words aren’t always true. Why is this important? This verse has a big impact on how we think about ourselves and our relationship with God. It reminds us that we're not perfect and that we need to strive for truthfulness in all areas of our lives – speaking, thinking, and acting. It’s a call to be honest with ourselves and with others. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Give an example of how this verse might apply to everyday life?