Definition: God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 3:6 together. It’s a really important and somewhat challenging passage, so we’ll go through it slowly. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying that if anyone chooses to reject God’s offer of forgiveness and salvation, then God will not judge the world. It highlights a crucial point about our relationship with God – we are all susceptible to choosing to turn away from Him. Let's unpack it further: "God forbid..." : This is a strong warning. It’s not saying that this happens sometimes , but rather that it will definitely happen if someone chooses to reject God. "...for then how shall God judge the world?" : This is the core of the verse. “Judge” here means hold blame, accuse, and condemn. "The world" refers to all of humanity – people, nations, and everything on Earth. What does this mean practically? It suggests that because we choose to reject God’s offer of grace (love, forgiveness, and a relationship with Him), we are essentially inviting God to take action against the entire world. This isn't about God hating everyone; it's about recognizing that our choices lead to separation from him. Why is this important? It’s about responsibility: It places our responsibility for choosing between good and evil squarely on us. It highlights the necessity of faith: It emphasizes that true righteousness (being aligned with God) comes through a relationship with Him, not through our own efforts. It's a call to repentance: It’s a reminder that we all need to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness. Important Note: This verse doesn’t say we are destined to reject God. Instead, it describes the potential outcome if we choose to ignore His offer of salvation. It's about recognizing our free will (the ability to choose) and acknowledging that this choice inevitably leads to a separation from God. Resources for Further Exploration: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Bible/Romans/3/6](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Bible/Romans/3/6) GotQuestions.org: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-3-6.html](https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-3-6.html) --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Discuss its connection to other biblical passages? Provide some ways this verse might be interpreted in different contexts (e.g., regarding sin and redemption)?