7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 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. (Romans 3:7-8 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
We must by no means understand these words as spoken by Apostle Paul himself in his own name, as if he had told lies for upholding of the truth; and that the truth of God had abounded to the glory of God through his lies; but he speaks in the person of a profane objector. Thus some man (as if the apostle had said) may possibly plead for his sin: “The truth of God hath gained by my lie, the faithfulness of God is made more manifest by the unfaithfulness of men; therefore, why should I be judged and condemned as a sinner, when the glory of God will shine more bright upon the occasion of my sin?
The free grace of God discovered in the gospel, will be manifested, say some, and magnified in the pardoning of our sin; let us therefore sin our fill, that the immeasurableness of divine goodness may appear, and the abundance of pardoning mercy may abound.” The apostle rejects this doctrine and practice, of doing evil that good may come, with the greatest abhorrence and utmost detestation, affirming that their damnation is just, who either fasten this doctrine upon the apostles or affirm it themselves.
Learn hence, That no person must venture to do the least of evils; no, not for the sake of the greatest good. True, Almighty God can bring good out of evil by the same word of his power, by which he brought light out of darkness and something out of nothing; but to do anything really evil for obtaining the greatest good is dangerous and damnable. Sin, or that which is sinful, ought not to be chosen, whatever we chose.
Learn, 2. That nothing is more just and righteous than the damnation of those who will adventure to do evil that good may come: A good intention will not excuse, never justify a bad action in the sight of God: He will condemn evil-doers, though they do evil, that good may come.
Learn, 3. That the apostle pronounces their damnation just, who laid these slanders to the apostles charge, as if their doctrine did allow of this damnable practice to do evil that good might come: Their damnation is just, who thus slanderously report and affirm, that we say, Let us do evil, that good may come.
Whence note, That it is a just thing with God to damn those men that raise or spread abroad reports of his minister’s doctrine, as giving liberty to licentious practices: Verily, the slander of a minister’s regular doctrine is more than ordinary slander. The original word here rendered as slander signifies blasphemy; the word by which God set forth his own reproaches. Behold God’s resentment of his minister’s wrongs. The slander and contempt cast upon our office and doctrine is esteemed blasphemy in God’s account: As we be slanderously reported or blasphemed; and as some affirm that we say, Let us do evil, that good may come: whose damnation is just.