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Romans 3-5
King James Version
Romans 3-5
King James Version
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.
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 the law and the 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 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;
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.
4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 3-5
New King James Version
Romans 3-5
New King James Version
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 (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)Certainly not! Indeed, let (E)God be [b]true but (F)every man a liar. As it is written:
(G)“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? (H)(I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then (I)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, (J)“Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their [c]condemnation is just.
All Have Sinned(K)
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that (L)they are all under sin.
10 As it is written:
(M)“There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
13 “Their(N) throat is an open [d]tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
(O)“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose(P) mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their(Q) feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There(R) is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever (S)the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that (T)every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become [e]guilty before God. 20 Therefore (U)by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
God’s Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now (V)the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, (W)being witnessed by the Law (X)and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [f]and on all who believe. For (Y)there is no difference; 23 for (Z)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely (AA)by His grace (AB)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth (AC)as a [h]propitiation (AD)by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over (AE)the sins that were previously committed, 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.
Boasting Excluded
27 (AF)Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude (AG)that a man is [i]justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since (AH)there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Abraham Justified by Faith(AI)
4 What then shall we say that (AJ)Abraham our (AK)father[j] has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was (AL)justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? (AM)“Abraham believed God, and it was [k]accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now (AN)to him who works, the wages are not counted [l]as grace but as debt.
David Celebrates the Same Truth
5 But to him who (AO)does not work but believes on Him who justifies (AP)the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also (AQ)describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed(AR) are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
Abraham Justified Before Circumcision
9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And (AS)he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that (AT)he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father (AU)Abraham had while still uncircumcised.
The Promise Granted Through Faith
13 For the promise that he would be the (AV)heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For (AW)if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because (AX)the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be (AY)according to grace, (AZ)so that the promise might be [m]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, (BA)who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, (BB)“I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, (BC)who gives life to the dead and calls those (BD)things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, (BE)“So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, (BF)he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), (BG)and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised (BH)He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore (BI)“it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
23 Now (BJ)it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe (BK)in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 (BL)who was delivered up because of our offenses, and (BM)was raised because of our justification.
Faith Triumphs in Trouble
5 Therefore, (BN)having been justified by faith, [n]we have (BO)peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 (BP)through whom also we have access by faith into this grace (BQ)in which we stand, and (BR)rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but (BS)we also glory in tribulations, (BT)knowing that tribulation produces [o]perseverance; 4 (BU)and perseverance, [p]character; and character, hope. 5 (BV)Now hope does not disappoint, (BW)because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Christ in Our Place
6 For when we were still without strength, [q]in due time (BX)Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But (BY)God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified (BZ)by His blood, we shall be saved (CA)from wrath through Him. 10 For (CB)if when we were enemies (CC)we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved (CD)by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also (CE)rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Death in Adam, Life in Christ(CF)
12 Therefore, just as (CG)through one man sin entered the world, and (CH)death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but (CI)sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, (CJ)who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the [r]offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded (CK)to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many [s]offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s [t]offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore, as through [u]one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through (CL)one[v] Man’s righteous act the free gift came (CM)to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by (CN)one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
20 Moreover (CO)the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace (CP)abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Footnotes
- Romans 3:2 sayings, Scriptures
- Romans 3:4 Found true
- Romans 3:8 Lit. judgment
- Romans 3:13 grave
- Romans 3:19 accountable
- Romans 3:22 NU omits and on all
- Romans 3:24 without any cost
- Romans 3:25 mercy seat
- Romans 3:28 declared righteous
- Romans 4:1 Or (fore)father according to the flesh has found?
- Romans 4:3 imputed, credited, reckoned, counted
- Romans 4:4 according to
- Romans 4:16 certain
- Romans 5:1 Some ancient mss. let us have
- Romans 5:3 endurance
- Romans 5:4 approved character
- Romans 5:6 at the right time
- Romans 5:15 trespass or false step
- Romans 5:16 trespasses
- Romans 5:17 trespass
- Romans 5:18 Or one trespass
- Romans 5:18 Or one righteous act
Romans 3-5
New International Version
Romans 3-5
New International Version
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!(A) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.(B)
3 What if some were unfaithful?(C) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(D) 4 Not at all! Let God be true,(E) and every human being a liar.(F) As it is written:
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(H) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(I) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(J) 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,(K) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”(L) 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?(M) Their condemnation is just!
No One Is Righteous
9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage?(N) Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.(O) 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.”[b](P)
13 “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”[c](Q)
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[d](R)
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[e](S)
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.”[f](T)
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[g](U)
19 Now we know that whatever the law says,(V) it says to those who are under the law,(W) so that every mouth may be silenced(X) and the whole world held accountable to God.(Y) 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;(Z) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.(AA)
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God(AB) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.(AC) 22 This righteousness(AD) is given through faith(AE) in[h] Jesus Christ(AF) to all who believe.(AG) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,(AH) 23 for all have sinned(AI) and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified(AJ) freely by his grace(AK) through the redemption(AL) that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i](AM) through the shedding of his blood(AN)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished(AO)— 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?(AP) 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.(AQ) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,(AR) 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.(AS) 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Abraham Justified by Faith
4 What then shall we say(AT) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,(AU) discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.(AV) 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[j](AW)
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift(AX) but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.(AY) 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”[k](AZ)
9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?(BA) We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.(BB) 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.(BC) So then, he is the father(BD) of all who believe(BE) but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise(BF) that he would be heir of the world,(BG) but through the righteousness that comes by faith.(BH) 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,(BI) 15 because the law brings wrath.(BJ) And where there is no law there is no transgression.(BK)
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace(BL) and may be guaranteed(BM) to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.(BN) 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[l](BO) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life(BP) to the dead and calls(BQ) into being things that were not.(BR)
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,(BS) just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[m](BT) 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead(BU)—since he was about a hundred years old(BV)—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.(BW) 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened(BX) in his faith and gave glory to God,(BY) 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.(BZ) 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”(CA) 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us,(CB) to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him(CC) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.(CD) 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins(CE) and was raised to life for our justification.(CF)
Peace and Hope
5 Therefore, since we have been justified(CG) through faith,(CH) we[n] have peace(CI) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(CJ) 2 through whom we have gained access(CK) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.(CL) And we[o] boast in the hope(CM) of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[p] also glory in our sufferings,(CN) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;(CO) 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope(CP) does not put us to shame, because God’s love(CQ) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,(CR) who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time,(CS) when we were still powerless,(CT) Christ died for the ungodly.(CU) 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(CV)
9 Since we have now been justified(CW) by his blood,(CX) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath(CY) through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies,(CZ) we were reconciled(DA) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!(DB) 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.(DC)
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,(DD) and death through sin,(DE) and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned(DF)—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.(DG) 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam,(DH) who is a pattern of the one to come.(DI)
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(DJ) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(DK) overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death(DL) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life(DM) through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(DN) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(DO) and life(DP) for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(DQ) the many were made sinners,(DR) so also through the obedience(DS) of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.(DT) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,(DU) 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(DV) so also grace(DW) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life(DX) through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Footnotes
- Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4
- Romans 3:12 Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20
- Romans 3:13 Psalm 5:9
- Romans 3:13 Psalm 140:3
- Romans 3:14 Psalm 10:7 (see Septuagint)
- Romans 3:17 Isaiah 59:7,8
- Romans 3:18 Psalm 36:1
- Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
- Romans 3:25 The Greek for sacrifice of atonement refers to the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant (see Lev. 16:15,16).
- Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
- Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1,2
- Romans 4:17 Gen. 17:5
- Romans 4:18 Gen. 15:5
- Romans 5:1 Many manuscripts let us
- Romans 5:2 Or let us
- Romans 5:3 Or let us
Romans 3-5
English Standard Version
Romans 3-5
English Standard Version
God's Righteousness Upheld
3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, (A)the Jews were entrusted with (B)the oracles of God. 3 (C)What if some were unfaithful? (D)Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! (E)Let God be true though (F)every one were a liar, as it is written,
5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict (I)wrath on us? ((J)I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could (K)God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, (L)why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not (M)do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.
No One Is Righteous
9 What then? Are we Jews[a] any better off?[b] No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both (N)Jews and (O)Greeks, are (P)under sin, 10 as it is written:
(Q)“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 (R)“Their throat is (S)an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
(T)“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 (U)“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 (V)“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and (W)the way of peace they have not known.”
18 (X)“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever (Y)the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, (Z)so that every mouth may be stopped, and (AA)the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For (AB)by works of the law no human being[c] will be justified in his sight, since (AC)through the law comes knowledge of sin.
The Righteousness of God Through Faith
21 But now (AD)the righteousness of God (AE)has been manifested apart from the law, although (AF)the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God (AG)through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (AH)For there is no distinction: 23 for (AI)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 (AJ)and are justified (AK)by his grace as a gift, (AL)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God (AM)put forward as (AN)a propitiation (AO)by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in (AP)his divine forbearance he had passed over (AQ)former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 (AR)Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith (AS)apart from works of the law. 29 Or (AT)is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since (AU)God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and (AV)the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Abraham Justified by Faith
4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, (AW)our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but (AX)not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? (AY)“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now (AZ)to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but (BA)believes in[d] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 (BB)“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not (BC)count his sin.”
9 Is this blessing then only for (BD)the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? (BE)For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 (BF)He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was (BG)to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
The Promise Realized Through Faith
13 For (BH)the promise to Abraham and his offspring (BI)that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 (BJ)For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For (BK)the law brings wrath, but (BL)where there is no law (BM)there is no transgression.
16 That is why it depends on faith, (BN)in order that the promise may rest on grace and (BO)be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, (BP)who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, (BQ)“I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, (BR)who gives life to the dead and calls into existence (BS)the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, (BT)“So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was (BU)as good as dead ((BV)since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered (BW)the barrenness[e] of Sarah's womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that (BX)God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But (BY)the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us (BZ)who believe in (CA)him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 (CB)who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised (CC)for our justification.
Peace with God Through Faith
5 (CD)Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, (CE)we[f] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also (CF)obtained access by faith[g] into this grace (CG)in which we stand, and (CH)we[h] rejoice[i] in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we (CI)rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering (CJ)produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and (CK)hope does not put us to shame, because God's love (CL)has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For (CM)while we were still weak, at the right time (CN)Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but (CO)God shows his love for us in that (CP)while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, (CQ)we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from (CR)the wrath of God. 10 For if (CS)while we were enemies (CT)we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by (CU)his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received (CV)reconciliation.
Death in Adam, Life in Christ
12 Therefore, just as (CW)sin came into the world through one man, and (CX)death through sin, and (CY)so death spread to all men[j] because (CZ)all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but (DA)sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not (DB)like the transgression of Adam, (DC)who was a type of (DD)the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for (DE)many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For (DF)the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought (DG)justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness (DH)reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass[k] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[l] leads to justification and life for (DI)all men. 19 For as by the one man's (DJ)disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's (DK)obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now (DL)the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, (DM)grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, (DN)as sin reigned in death, (DO)grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Footnotes
- Romans 3:9 Greek Are we
- Romans 3:9 Or at any disadvantage?
- Romans 3:20 Greek flesh
- Romans 4:5 Or but trusts; compare verse 24
- Romans 4:19 Greek deadness
- Romans 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
- Romans 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
- Romans 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
- Romans 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11
- Romans 5:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women; also twice in verse 18
- Romans 5:18 Or the trespass of one
- Romans 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.