Rom.3.1
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Rom.3.1
So what difference does it make who's a Jew and who isn't, who has been trained in God's ways and who hasn't?
Rom.3.1
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?
Rom.3.1
What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?
Rom.3.1
Then what's the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the Jewish ceremony of circumcision?
Rom.3.2
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Rom.3.2
As it turns out, it makes a lot of difference--but not the difference so many have assumed. First, there's the matter of being put in charge of writing down and caring for God's revelation, these Holy Scriptures.
Rom.3.2
Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
Rom.3.2
Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.
Rom.3.2
Yes, being a Jew has many advantages. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.
Rom.3.3
For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom.3.3
So, what if, in the course of doing that, some of those Jews abandoned their post? God didn't abandon them. Do you think their faithlessness cancels out his faithfulness?
Rom.3.3
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?
Rom.3.3
For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?
Rom.3.3
True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they broke their promises, does that mean God will break his promises?
Rom.3.4
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.
Rom.3.4
Not on your life! Depend on it: God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same: Your words stand fast and true; Rejection doesn't faze you.
Rom.3.4
Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."
Rom.3.4
Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."
Rom.3.4
Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say, "He will be proved right in what he says, and he will win his case in court."
Rom.3.5
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
Rom.3.5
But if our wrongdoing only underlines and confirms God's rightdoing, shouldn't we be commended for helping out? Since our bad words don't even make a dent in his good words, isn't it wrong of God to back us to the wall and hold us to our word? These questions come up.
Rom.3.5
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.)
Rom.3.5
But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)
Rom.3.5
"But," some say, "our sins serve a good purpose, for people will see God's goodness when he declares us sinners to be innocent. Isn't it unfair, then, for God to punish us?" (That is actually the way some people talk.)
Rom.3.6
God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
Rom.3.6
The answer to such questions is no, a most emphatic No! How else would things ever get straightened out if God didn't do the straightening?
Rom.3.6
Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?
Rom.3.6
Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
Rom.3.6
Of course not! If God is not just, how is he qualified to judge the world?
Rom.3.7
For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
Rom.3.7
It's simply perverse to say, "If my lies serve to show off God's truth all the more gloriously, why blame me? I'm doing God a favor."
Rom.3.7
Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?"
Rom.3.7
For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?
Rom.3.7
"But," some might still argue, "how can God judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?"
Rom.3.8
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.
Rom.3.8
Some people are actually trying to put such words in our mouths, claiming that we go around saying, "The more evil we do, the more good God does, so let's just do it!" That's pure slander, as I'm sure you'll agree.
Rom.3.8
Why not say--as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say--"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.
Rom.3.8
And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?--as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
Rom.3.8
If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach!
Rom.3.9
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;
Rom.3.9
So where does that put us? Do we Jews get a better break than the others? Not really. Basically, all of us, whether insiders or outsiders, start out in identical conditions, which is to say that we all start out as sinners. Scripture leaves no doubt about it:
Rom.3.9
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.
Rom.3.9
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
Rom.3.9
Well then, are we Jews better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.
Rom.3.10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom.3.10
There's nobody living right, not even one,
Rom.3.10
As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;
Rom.3.10
As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;
Rom.3.10
As the Scriptures say, "No one is good--not even one.
Rom.3.11
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom.3.11
nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God.
Rom.3.11
there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
Rom.3.11
There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
Rom.3.11
No one has real understanding; no one is seeking God.
Rom.3.12
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Rom.3.12
They've all taken the wrong turn; they've all wandered down blind alleys. No one's living right; I can't find a single one.
Rom.3.12
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
Rom.3.12
They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."
Rom.3.12
All have turned away from God; all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one."
Rom.3.13
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Rom.3.13
Their throats are gaping graves, their tongues slick as mud slides. Every word they speak is tinged with poison.
Rom.3.13
"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.The poison of vipers is on their lips."
Rom.3.13
"Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips";
Rom.3.13
"Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their speech is filled with lies.The poison of a deadly snake drips from their lips."
Rom.3.14
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Rom.3.14
They open their mouths and pollute the air.
Rom.3.14
"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
Rom.3.14
"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Rom.3.14
"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
Rom.3.15
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Rom.3.15
They race for the honor of sinner-of-the-year,
Rom.3.15
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Rom.3.15
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Rom.3.15
"They are quick to commit murder.
Rom.3.16
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
Rom.3.16
litter the land with heartbreak and ruin,
Rom.3.16
ruin and misery mark their ways,
Rom.3.16
Destruction and misery are in their ways;
Rom.3.16
Wherever they go, destruction and misery follow them.
Rom.3.17
And the way of peace have they not known:
Rom.3.17
Don't know the first thing about living with others.
Rom.3.17
and the way of peace they do not know."
Rom.3.17
And the way of peace they have not known."
Rom.3.17
They do not know what true peace is."
Rom.3.18
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Rom.3.18
They never give God the time of day.
Rom.3.18
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Rom.3.18
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Rom.3.18
"They have no fear of God to restrain them."
Rom.3.19
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.
Rom.3.19
This makes it clear, doesn't it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else?
Rom.3.19
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.
Rom.3.19
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom.3.19
Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to bring the entire world into judgment before God.
Rom.3.20
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.
Rom.3.20
Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else's sin.
Rom.3.20
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Rom.3.20
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom.3.20
For no one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God's law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it.
Rom.3.21
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom.3.21
But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened.
Rom.3.21
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
Rom.3.21
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
Rom.3.21
But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight--not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago.
Rom.3.22
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:
Rom.3.22
The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus--setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this.
Rom.3.22
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
Rom.3.22
even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
Rom.3.22
We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
Rom.3.23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom.3.23
Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us,
Rom.3.23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Rom.3.23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Rom.3.23
For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.
Rom.3.24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom.3.24
God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
Rom.3.24
and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Rom.3.24
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Rom.3.24
Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.
Rom.3.25
Whom God hath set 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;
Rom.3.25
God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public--to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured.
Rom.3.25
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--
Rom.3.25
whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Rom.3.25
For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times.
Rom.3.26
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom.3.26
This is not only clear, but it's now--this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.
Rom.3.26
he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Rom.3.26
to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Rom.3.26
And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus.
Rom.3.27
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom.3.27
So where does that leave our proud Jewish insider claims and counterclaims? Canceled? Yes, canceled. What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does.
Rom.3.27
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.
Rom.3.27
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.
Rom.3.27
Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith.
Rom.3.28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Rom.3.28
We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.
Rom.3.28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Rom.3.28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Rom.3.28
So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
Rom.3.29
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Rom.3.29
And where does that leave our proud Jewish claim of having a corner on God? Also canceled. God is the God of outsider non-Jews as well as insider Jews.
Rom.3.29
Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
Rom.3.29
Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,
Rom.3.29
After all, God is not the God of the Jews only, is he? Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is.
Rom.3.30
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Rom.3.30
How could it be otherwise since there is only one God? God sets right all who welcome his action and enter into it, both those who follow our religious system and those who have never heard of our religion.
Rom.3.30
since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
Rom.3.30
since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Rom.3.30
There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
Rom.3.31
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Rom.3.31
But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don't we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it.
Rom.3.31
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Rom.3.31
Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Rom.3.31
Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
