Romans 3 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Paul Answers an Objection

3 So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted(A) with the spoken words of God.(B) 3 What then? If some did not believe,(C) will their unbelief cancel God’s faithfulness? 4 Absolutely not!(D) God must be true, even if everyone is a liar,(E) as it is written:

That You may be justified in Your words
and triumph when You judge.(F)[a]

5 But if our unrighteousness highlights[b] God’s righteousness,(G) what are we to say?(H) I use a human argument:[c](I) Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? 6 Absolutely not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?(J) 7 But if by my lie God’s truth is amplified to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?(K) 8 And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”?(L) Their condemnation is deserved!

The Whole World Guilty before God

9 What then? Are we any better?[d] Not at all! For we have previously charged that both Jews(M) and Gentiles[e](N) are all under sin,[f](O) 10 as it is written:[g]

There is no one righteous, not even one.
11 There is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away;
all alike have become useless.
There is no one who does what is good,
not even one.(P)[h]
13 Their throat is an open grave;
they deceive with their tongues.(Q)[i]
Vipers’ venom is under their lips.(R)[j]
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.(S)[k]
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,
17 and the path of peace they have not known.(T)[l]
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.(U)[m]

19 Now we know that whatever the law says(V) speaks to those who are subject to the law,[n](W) so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.[o](X) 20 For no one will be justified[p] in His sight by the works of the law,(Y) because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.(Z)

God’s Righteousness through Faith

21 But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed(AA)—attested by the Law and the Prophets[q](AB) 22 —that is, God’s righteousness through faith(AC) in Jesus Christ,[r](AD) to all who believe,(AE) since there is no distinction.(AF) 23 For all have sinned(AG) and fall short of the[s] glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by His grace(AH) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.(AI) 25 God presented Him as a propitiation[t](AJ) through faith in His blood,(AK) to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God(AL) passed over the sins previously committed.(AM) 26 God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous[u] the one who has faith in Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

27 Where then is boasting?(AN) It is excluded. By what kind of law?[v](AO) By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law[w] of faith. 28 For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(AP) 29 Or is God for Jews only?(AQ) Is He not also for Gentiles? Yes, for Gentiles too, 30 since there is one God(AR) who will justify the circumcised by faith(AS) and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then cancel the law through faith? Absolutely not!(AT) On the contrary, we uphold the law.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:4 Ps 51:4
  2. Romans 3:5 Or shows, or demonstrates
  3. Romans 3:5 Lit I speak as a man
  4. Romans 3:9 Are we Jews any better than the Gentiles?
  5. Romans 3:9 Lit Greeks
  6. Romans 3:9 Under sin’s power or dominion
  7. Romans 3:10 Paul constructs this charge from a chain of OT quotations, mainly from the Psalms.
  8. Romans 3:12 Ps 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ec 7:20
  9. Romans 3:13 Ps 5:9
  10. Romans 3:13 Ps 140:3
  11. Romans 3:14 Ps 10:7
  12. Romans 3:17 Is 59:7-8
  13. Romans 3:18 Ps 36:1
  14. Romans 3:19 Lit those in the law
  15. Romans 3:19 Or become guilty before God, or may be accountable to God
  16. Romans 3:20 Or will be declared righteous, or will be acquitted
  17. Romans 3:21 When capitalized, the Law and the Prophets = OT
  18. Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ
  19. Romans 3:23 Or and lack the
  20. Romans 3:25 Or as a propitiatory sacrifice, or as an offering of atonement, or as a mercy seat; 2Co 5:21; Heb 9:5
  21. Romans 3:26 Or and justify, or and acquit
  22. Romans 3:27 Or what principle?
  23. Romans 3:27 Or a principle

Cross references

  1. 3:2 : Dt 4:8; Ps 147:19; Rm 9:4
  2. 3:2 : Ac 7:38
  3. 3:3 : Rm 10:16; Heb 4:2
  4. 3:4 : Lk 20:16; Rm 3:31
  5. 3:4 : Ps 116:11
  6. 3:4 : Ps 51:4
  7. 3:5 : Rm 5:8; 2Co 6:4; Gl 2:18
  8. 3:5 : Rm 4:1; 7:7; 8:31; 9:14, 30
  9. 3:5 : Rm 6:19; 1Co 9:8; 15:32; Gl 3:15
  10. 3:6 : Rm 2:16
  11. 3:7 : Rm 9:19
  12. 3:8 : Rm 6:1
  13. 3:9 : Rm 2:1-29
  14. 3:9 : Rm 1:18-32
  15. 3:9 : Rm 3:19, 23; 11:32; Gl 3:22
  16. 3:10-12 : Ps 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ec 7:20
  17. 3:13 : Ps 5:9
  18. 3:13 : Ps 140:3
  19. 3:14 : Ps 10:7
  20. 3:15-17 : Is 59:7-8
  21. 3:18 : Ps 36:1
  22. 3:19 : Jn 10:34
  23. 3:19 : Rm 2:12
  24. 3:19 : Rm 2:9
  25. 3:20 : Ps 143:2; Ac 13:39; Gl 2:16
  26. 3:20 : Rm 4:15; 5:13, 20; 7:7
  27. 3:21 : Rm 1:17; 9:30
  28. 3:21 : Ac 10:43; Rm 1:2
  29. 3:22 : Rm 4:5
  30. 3:22 : Ac 3:16; Gl 2:16, 20; 3:22; Eph 3:12
  31. 3:22 : Rm 4:11, 16; 10:4
  32. 3:22 : Rm 10:12; Gl 3:28; Col 3:11
  33. 3:23 : Rm 3:9
  34. 3:24 : Rm 4:4, 16; Eph 2:8
  35. 3:24 : 1Co 1:30; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 9:15
  36. 3:25 : 1Jn 2:2; 4:10
  37. 3:25 : 1Co 5:7; Heb 9:14, 28; 1Pt 1:19; Rv 1:5
  38. 3:25 : Rm 2:4
  39. 3:25 : Ac 17:30; 14:16
  40. 3:27 : Rm 2:17, 23; 4:2; 1Co 1:29-31
  41. 3:27 : Rm 9:31
  42. 3:28 : Ac 13:39; Rm 9:31; Eph 2:9; Jms 2:20, 24, 26
  43. 3:29 : Ac 10:34; Rm 9:24; 10:12; 15:9; Gl 3:28
  44. 3:30 : Rm 10:12
  45. 3:30 : Rm 4:11, 16; Gl 3:8
  46. 3:31 : Lk 20:16; Rm 3:4
  47. 3:31 : Mt 5:17; Rm 4:3; 8:4

You Might Also Like:

Romans 3 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

3 What, then, [is] the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of the circumcision? 2 much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God; 3 for what, if certain were faithless? shall their faithlessness the faithfulness of god make useless? 4 let it not be! and...
Read More

Romans 3 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

3 What then is more to a Jew, or what profit of circumcision? 2 Much by all wise [Much by all manner]; first, for the speakings of God were betaken to them. 3 And what if some of them believed not? Whether the unbelief of them hath voided the faith of God? 4 God forbid [Far be it]. For God is soo...
Read More

Romans 3 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

3 Then what does a Jew have that others do not have? Or what good is it if a person has been circumcised? 2 It is much better in every way. First, God's law was given to the Jews. 3 But some Jews did not keep his law. Does that mean that God cannot be trusted? 4 No, it does not mean that. God must b...
Read More

Romans 3 - World English Bible (WEB)

3 Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God. 3 For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 May it never be! Yes, let ...
Read More

Romans 3 - The Voice (VOICE)

When God’s people—or people who claim to be God’s people—are hypocrites, then God is the one who gets the bad name. How often do we say one thing and do another? How often have we set a standard for others only to break it ourselves? The saying is true: we practice every day what we believe; all the...
Read More

Romans 3 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

No One Is Acceptable3 Then what is the advantage of being Jewish? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. First of all, they were entrusted with the sayings of God. 3 So what if some did not trust? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 May it never be! Let Go...
Read More

Romans 3 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews are entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every man be...
Read More

Romans 3 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews are entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every man be...
Read More

Romans 3 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

3 What, then, is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Firstly, because indeed the oracles of God were entrusted to them. 3 For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 Absolutely not! Indeed, let God ...
Read More

Romans 3 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

God’s Determined Faithfulness3 What advantage, then, does the Jew possess? What, indeed, is the point of circumcision? 2 A great deal, in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with God’s oracles. 3 What follows from that? If some of them were unfaithful to their commission, does their ...
Read More

Romans 3 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews[a] were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Although everyone is a...
Read More

Romans 3 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much, in every way. For in the first place, the Jews[a] were entrusted with the oracles of God.(A)3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?(B)4 By no means! Although every human...
Read More

Romans 3 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Paul shows what preferment the Jews have, and that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin, and are justified only by the grace of God in Christ. 3 What preferment, then, has the Jew? Or what advantage from circumcision? 2 Surely very much. The word of God was committed first to them. 3 What, then, i...
Read More

Romans 3 - New Living Translation (NLT)

God Remains Faithful3 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.[a] 3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful,...
Read More

Romans 3 - New Life Version (NLV)

3 Do the Jews have anything that those who are not Jews do not have? What good does it do to go through the religious act of becoming a Jew? 2 Yes, the Jews have much more in every way. First of all, God gave the Jews His Law. 3 If some of them were not faithful, does it mean that God will not be ...
Read More

Romans 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Judgment Defended3 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because (A)to them were committed the [a]oracles of God. 3 For what if (B)some did not believe? (C)Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 (D)Ce...
Read More