Romans 2:28-3:8
New International Version
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(A) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(B) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(C) by the Spirit,(D) not by the written code.(E) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(F)
God’s Faithfulness
3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way!(G) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.(H)
3 What if some were unfaithful?(I) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(J) 4 Not at all! Let God be true,(K) and every human being a liar.(L) As it is written:
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(N) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(O) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(P) 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,(Q) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”(R) 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?(S) Their condemnation is just!
Footnotes
- Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4
Romans 2:28-3:8
King James Version
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
3 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.
Romans 2:28-3:8
New King James Version
28 For (A)he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew (B)who is one inwardly; and (C)circumcision is that of the heart, (D)in the Spirit, not in the letter; (E)whose [a]praise is not from men but from God.
God’s Judgment Defended
3 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because (F)to them were committed the [b]oracles of God. 3 For what if (G)some did not believe? (H)Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 (I)Certainly not! Indeed, let (J)God be [c]true but (K)every man a liar. As it is written:
(L)“That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.”
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (M)(I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then (N)how will God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, (O)“Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their [d]condemnation is just.
Footnotes
- Romans 2:29 A play on words—Jew is literally praise.
- Romans 3:2 sayings, Scriptures
- Romans 3:4 Found true
- Romans 3:8 Lit. judgment
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.