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Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”
Greek vocab - Chapter 3
pisteuō • πιστεύω • trust, put faith in
logion • λόγιον • oracles, sayings, words
apisteō • ἀπιστέω • unfaithful, unbelieving, doubt, faithless
apistia • ἀπιστία • faithlessness, unbelief, distrust,
pistis • πίστις • faithfulness, faith, steadfastness,
katargeō • καταργέω • nullify, put and end to, destroy, overthrow
krinō • κρίνω • judge, judging
adikia • ἀδικία • wickedness, evil, wrongdoing, injustice
dikaiosynē • δικαιοσύνη • uprightness, righteousness, justice
orgē • ὀργή • wrath, anger
eirēnē • εἰρήνη • peace
nomos • νόμος • law
hamartia • ἁμαρτία • sin, wrongdoing
phaneroō • φανερόω • disclosed, revealed, made known, shown
diastolē • διαστολή • distinction, difference
hamartanō • ἁμαρτάνω • sin, do wrong
hystereō • ὑστερέω • lack, fall short of
charis • χάρις • grace
dikaioō • δικαιόω • justified, put right with, vindicated, made right, declared righteous
dōrean • δωρεάν • gift, free, present,
apolytrōsis • ἀπολύτρωσις • redemption, deliverance
hilastērion • ἱλαστήριον • sacrifice of atonement, mercy seat, place of propitiation
histēmi • ἵστημι • stand, make stand, uphold, put in place, maintain
NRSV - Chapter 3
5 But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), “Let us do evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!
9 What then? Are we any better off? No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, 10 as it is written:
“There is no one who is righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who has understanding,
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;
there is no one who shows kindness,
there is not even one.”
13 “Their throats are opened graves;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of vipers is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery are in their paths,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
NIV - Chapter 3
1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:
“So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written:
“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,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
KJV - Chapter 3
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 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. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 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.
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by lthe law and mthe prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath sset forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Cranfield (ICC) - Chapter 3
1 What advantage then does the Jew have? Or what profit is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way. First, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What then? If some have failed to respond with faith, shall their lack of faith render God’s faithfulness ineffective? 4 God forbid! We confess rather that God is true, and all men liars, even as Scripture says, ‘… in order that thou mayest be acknowledged as righteous in thy words and mayest overcome when thou contendest’.
5 But if our unrighteousness actually shows up the righteousness of God, what are we then to say? Is God unrighteous in that he inflicts his wrath on us? (I am giving expression to thoughts which are very human.) 6 God forbid! For in that case how shall God judge the world? 7 But if the truth of God has been more abundantly manifested to his glory, by means of my lie, why am I still judged as a sinner? 8 And do we then say (as certain people slanderously allege that we say), ‘Let us do evil, that good may come of it’? Those who so slander us are deservedly condemned.
9 What then? Do we Jews have an advantage? Not in every respect; for we have already laid the charge against both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin, 10 even as Scripture testifies:
‘There is no one who is righteous, not even one,
11 there is no one who has understanding,
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
there is no one who shows kindness,
no, not as much as one.
13 An open grave is their throat,
with their tongues they are wont to deceive,
the poison of asps is under their lips.
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15 Swift are their feet to shed blood,
16 destruction and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.’
19 But we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who possess the law, in order that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world stand guilty before God. 20 For no flesh shall be justified before him on the ground of having done what the law requires; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21 But now God’s righteousness, attested by the law and the prophets, has been manifested apart from the law, 22 namely, that righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and lack the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption accomplished in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God purposed to be by the shedding of his blood a propitiatory sacrifice, the benefit to be appropriated by faith, in order to prove his righteousness (this was necessary on account of the overlooking of past sins 26 in God’s forbearance), in order, I say, to prove his righteousness in the present time, so that he might be righteous even in justifying the man who believes in Jesus.
27 Where then is glorying? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith! 28 For we reckon that it is by faith that a man is justified apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles also? Most certainly of the Gentiles also! 30 seeing that God is one, and he will justify the circumcision on the ground of faith and the uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then invalidate the law through our teaching about faith? God forbid! Rather we uphold the law.
Dunn (Word) - Chapter 3
1 What then is the advantage of the Jew, or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! In the first place, they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 So, where does that leave us? If some have been unfaithful, has their unfaithfulness done away with the faithfulness of God? 4 Not at all! Let God be true and “every man a liar.” As it is written,
“that you might be justified in your words
and shall overcome when you are on trial.”
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust in inflicting wrath? (I speak from a human standpoint.) 6 Not at all! Otherwise, how will God judge the world? 7 But if the truth of God has by my lie overflowed to his glory, why am I still judged as a sinner? 8 Why do we not say, as some slanderously report us to say, “Let us do evil that good might come of it”? Their condemnation is well deserved.
9 What then do we plead in our defense? For we have now charged both Jews and Greeks as all alike under sin, 10 as it is written,
“There is none righteous, not even one.”
11 “There is none who understands
there is none who seeks out God.
12 All have turned aside, they have together become worthless;
there is none who does good
there is none, not so much as one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave,
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Whose mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift when it comes to shedding blood,
16 ruin and wretchedness are in their ways,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it says to those within the law, in order that every mouth might be stopped and all the world become liable to God’s judgment. 20 For by works of the law shall no flesh be justified before him, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the law and the prophets, 22 that is, the righteousness of God through faith in Christ Jesus to all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and lack the glory of God. 24 They are justified as a gift by his grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, in his blood, to demonstrate his righteousness in passing over the sins committed in former times 26 in the forbearance of God, to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, that he might be just and the one who justifies him who believes in Jesus.
27 Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, on the contrary, by the law of faith. 28 For we reckon that a man is justified by faith,c apart from works of the law. 29 Or is he God of Jews only? Is he not also God of Gentiles? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since, after all, “God is one,” who will justify circumcision from faith and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make the law invalid through faith? Not at all. On the contrary, we establish the law.
Fitzmyer (Yale) - Chapter 3
1 “Then what is the advantage of being a Jew, or what is the value of circumcision?” 2 Much in every way! First of all, Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What then? Suppose some Jews were unfaithful? Will their infidelity nullify the fidelity of God? 4 Certainly not! God will be true, though every human being be a liar, as it stands written, that you may be vindicated in your speech, and win out when you are being judged.
5 If our wickedness brings forth the uprightness of God, what are we to say? Is God unjust to bring wrath upon us (I am speaking, of course, in human terms)? 6 Certainly not! Otherwise how is God to judge the world? 7 Again, if through my untruthfulness the truthfulness of God has overflowed to his glory, then why must I still be condemned as a sinner? 8 And why should we not “do evil that good may come of it”—as some people defame us with the libelous charge that we so teach? (The condemnation of such people is not unjust.) 9 What, then, is the situation? Are we (Jews) at a disadvantage? Not at all! For we have already charged that all, Jews and Greeks alike, are under the power of sin.
10 As it stands written,
No one is upright, no, not one;
11 no one has understanding;
no one searches for God.
12 All have turned away, all have become depraved.
No one does good, not even one.
13 Their throats are open graves;
with their tongues they have practiced deceit;
the poison of asps lies behind their lips.
14 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.
15 Swift are their feet to shed blood.
16 Ruin and wretchedness strew their paths.
17 The path of peace they have not known.
18 Fear of God is not before their eyes.
19 Now we know that all the law says is addressed to those who are under the law so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world become accountable to God, 20 since no human being will be justified before him through deeds prescribed by the law; for through the law comes the real knowledge of sin.
21 But now, independently of the law, the uprightness of God has been disclosed, even though the law and the prophets bear witness to it, 22 the uprightness of God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ toward all who believe, toward all, without distinction. 23 For all alike have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 yet all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that comes in Christ Jesus. 25 Through his blood God has presented him as a means of expiating sin for all who have faith. This was to be a manifestation of God’s uprightness for the pardon of past sins committed 26 in the time of his forbearance, a manifestation of his uprightness also at the present time to show that he is upright and justifies the one who puts faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is there room for boasting? It is ruled out! On what principle? On the principle of deeds? No, but on the principle of faith. 28 For we maintain that a human being is justified by faith apart from deeds prescribed by the law. 29 But is God the God of Jews only? Is he not also the God of Gentiles? Yes, even of Gentiles! 30 For God who will justify both the circumcised in virtue of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith is one. 31 Are we, then, nullifying the law by faith? Certainly not! We are rather upholding the law.
Jewett (Hermeneia) - Chapter 3
1 ‘Therefore what benefit does the Jew have? Or what is the usefulness of circumcision?’ 2 [The benefit] is huge in every respect. Primarily [the benefit is huge] for indeed they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 ‘What then if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaith abrogate the faithfulness of God?’ 4 By no means! But let God show himself to be true but “every person [show himself to be] a liar!” Just as it has been written, “That you may be righteous in your words and shall be victorious when you judge.” 5 ‘But if our wrongdoing proves God’s righteousness, what shall we say? Wouldn’t God who inflicts wrath be unjust?’ (I speak in a human manner.) 6 By no means! Otherwise how will God judge the world? 7 ‘But if the truth of God by my falsehood gains benefit to his glory, why then should I be judged as a sinner?’ 8 [Why should we] also not [be judged as sinners] just as we are slandered [to be] and just as some allege us to say, ‘Let us do bad thingsl in order that good things might come?’ Their condemnation is well deserved.
9 ‘What then? Are we at a disadvantage?’ Not at all! For we have already established that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin. 10 Just as it has been written,
“A righteous human does not exist and neither is one human righteous;
11 a human who understands does not exist,
a human who seeks God does not exist.”
12 “All humans turned aside;
at one and the same time, [all] were corrupted;
A human who does what is proper does not exist;
not even one [who does what is proper] exists.
13 Their throat is a grave that has been opened;
with their tongues they continue deceiving.
A poison of asps is under their lips,
14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery are in their paths;
17 and a path of peace they do not know.
18 A fear of God does not exist before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those within the law, in order that every mouth might be stopped and all the world might be under indictment to God. 20 Therefore all flesh shall not be set right before him from works of the law, for an acknowledgment of sin [is] through law.
21 But God’s righteousness that was attested by the law and the prophets has been manifested apart from the law, 22 that is, God’s righteousness [has been manifested] through faith in Jesus Christ, in regard to all who have faith, (for there is no distinction, 23 for all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being set right freely by his grace) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 “whom God put forth as a mercy seat” through faith “in his blood” for a demonstration of his righteousness “because of the passing over of sinful actions previously committed 26 by the forbearance of God”; to demonstrate his righteousness in the present critical time, so that he is righteous and makes righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 ‘Where then is our boasting?’ It is excluded! ‘Through what kind of law? That of works?’ No! But [it was excluded] through the law of faith! 28 For we reckon a human to be set right by faith without works of law. 29 ‘Or [does] God [belong] only to Jews? Doesn’t [God] also [belong] to Gentiles?’ Yes, [God] also [belongs to] Gentiles, 30 if indeed “the God is one” who will set right the circumcision from faith and the uncircumcision through this faith. 31 ‘Are we then neutralizing law through this faith?’ By no means! Rather we establish law [through this faith].