These seem technical, almost legal, arguments.  But they reveal God’s character and refute false human ideas about Him.  The key question in these verses is ‘Is God fair to condemn sinners who cannot help sinning?’  Parallel questions are, ‘Does God need our badness for Himself to be seen as infinitely good by comparison?’, and ‘Does He need our unrighteousness to demonstrate His own glory?’  In other words, is God’s glory like that of conquering imperial warlords whose glorious power is demonstrated in the brutal treatment of the conquered?  

For believers in Jesus, the answers are clearly ‘No!’  But imagine the Jews who realised that they had broken God’s law; would He be fair in judging those who had tried so hard to be obedient?  Although this section is written mainly to Jews (Romans 3:1-2), imagine also the Gentile believers in Rome, who had been taught that Caesar is Lord - they needed to know that the true God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ was not a brutal dictator demanding obedience through fear of punishment.  

It is true that there is a huge contrast between the unrighteousness of mankind and the righteousness of God (1 Samuel 2:2).  It is also true that God is glorious, not because He is better than us, but because of His gloriously pure nature (Psalm 50:1-6).  Even if we were perfect, as Jesus is and as we will be at the Second Coming (1 John 3:2), Father God is still blindingly glorious (Psalm 104:1-2).  He is perfectly righteous to judge us because He is perfectly right (Psalm 7:11).  So those who say perversely that ‘It is good to sin so that God might be glorified in forgiving me’ are wrong (Romans 6:1-2).  They do not understand the character of God and cannot be in a right relationship with Him.

The same is true today.  Many have such a warped view of God, thinking Him to be like a critical parent, demanding teacher or employer.  Religion without the grace of Christ is always legalistic.  Rules are set up and the 'best effort' is applauded.  But God does not work like that.  He is always right.  His glory is always awesome and everyone that is not righteous stands condemned (John 3:18-20).  Although it is difficult for many people to accept that they are sinners, it is the truth (Romans 3:23).  They are under His wrath (Romans 1:18) but do not know of His love or that the sacrifice of Jesus is designed to fully atone for their sin.  Without that confession there can be no salvation (1 John 1:9).  But repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus Christ who died, being punished for our sins, will open the door to eternal life (www.crosscheck.org.uk).  So do not be afraid to tell your friends and colleagues about the character of God, and the salvation which comes through faith in Jesus.