Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options Listen to Romans 1-5
Close NKJV

Romans 1-5
New King James Version

Greeting

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, (A)called to be an apostle, (B)separated to the gospel of God 2 (C)which He promised before (D)through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who [a]was (E)born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and (F)declared to be the Son of God with power according (G)to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him (H)we have received grace and apostleship for (I)obedience to the faith among all nations (J)for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, (K)called to be saints:

(L)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Desire to Visit Rome

8 First, (M)I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that (N)your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For (O)God is my witness, (P)whom I serve [b]with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that (Q)without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that (R)I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by (S)the mutual faith both of you and me.

13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but (T)was hindered until now), that I might have some (U)fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

The Just Live by Faith

16 For (V)I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for (W)it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, (X)for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For (Y)in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, (Z)“The just shall live by faith.”

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

18 (AA)For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and (AB)unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because (AC)what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for (AD)God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world (AE)His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but (AF)became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 (AG)Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the (AH)incorruptible (AI)God into an image made like [h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 (AJ)Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, (AK)to dishonor their bodies (AL)among themselves, 25 who exchanged (AM)the truth of God (AN)for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to (AO)vile passions. For even their [i]women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the [j]men, leaving the natural use of the [k]woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things (AP)which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, [l]sexual immorality, wickedness, [m]covetousness, [n]maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 [o]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, [p]unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, (AQ)knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things (AR)are deserving of death, not only do the same but also (AS)approve of those who practice them.

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 Therefore you are (AT)inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, (AU)for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise (AV)the riches of His goodness, (AW)forbearance, and (AX)longsuffering, (AY)not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your [q]impenitent heart (AZ)you are [r]treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who (BA)“will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and (BB)do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew (BC)first and also of the [s]Greek; 10 (BD)but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For (BE)there is no partiality with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for (BF)not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the (BG)work of the law written in their hearts, their (BH)conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 (BI)in the day when God will judge the secrets of men (BJ)by Jesus Christ, (BK)according to my gospel.

The Jews Guilty as the Gentiles

17 [t]Indeed (BL)you are called a Jew, and (BM)rest[u] on the law, (BN)and make your boast in God, 18 and (BO)know His will, and (BP)approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and (BQ)are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, (BR)having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 (BS)You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, (BT)do you rob temples? 23 You who (BU)make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For (BV)“the name of God is (BW)blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

Circumcision of No Avail

25 (BX)For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore, (BY)if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, (BZ)judge you who, even with your [v]written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? 28 For (CA)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 (CB)who is one inwardly; and (CC)circumcision is that of the heart, (CD)in the Spirit, not in the letter; (CE)whose [w]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 (CF)to them were committed the [x]oracles of God. 3 For what if (CG)some did not believe? (CH)Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 (CI)Certainly not! Indeed, let (CJ)God be [y]true but (CK)every man a liar. As it is written:

(CL)“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? (CM)(I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then (CN)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, (CO)“Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their [z]condemnation is just.

All Have Sinned(CP)

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that (CQ)they are all under sin.

10 As it is written:

(CR)“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(CS) throat is an open [aa]tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
(CT)“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose(CU) mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their(CV) 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(CW) is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever (CX)the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that (CY)every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become [ab]guilty before God. 20 Therefore (CZ)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 (DA)the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, (DB)being witnessed by the Law (DC)and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [ac]and on all who believe. For (DD)there is no difference; 23 for (DE)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [ad]freely (DF)by His grace (DG)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth (DH)as a [ae]propitiation (DI)by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over (DJ)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 (DK)Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude (DL)that a man is [af]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 (DM)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(DN)

4 What then shall we say that (DO)Abraham our (DP)father[ag] has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was (DQ)justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? (DR)“Abraham believed God, and it was [ah]accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now (DS)to him who works, the wages are not counted [ai]as grace but as debt.

David Celebrates the Same Truth

5 But to him who (DT)does not work but believes on Him who justifies (DU)the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also (DV)describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed(DW) 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 (DX)he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that (DY)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 (DZ)Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

The Promise Granted Through Faith

13 For the promise that he would be the (EA)heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For (EB)if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because (EC)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 (ED)according to grace, (EE)so that the promise might be [aj]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, (EF)who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, (EG)“I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, (EH)who gives life to the dead and calls those (EI)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, (EJ)“So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, (EK)he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), (EL)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 (EM)He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore (EN)“it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

23 Now (EO)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 (EP)in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 (EQ)who was delivered up because of our offenses, and (ER)was raised because of our justification.

Faith Triumphs in Trouble

5 Therefore, (ES)having been justified by faith, [ak]we have (ET)peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 (EU)through whom also we have access by faith into this grace (EV)in which we stand, and (EW)rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but (EX)we also glory in tribulations, (EY)knowing that tribulation produces [al]perseverance; 4 (EZ)and perseverance, [am]character; and character, hope. 5 (FA)Now hope does not disappoint, (FB)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, [an]in due time (FC)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 (FD)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 (FE)by His blood, we shall be saved (FF)from wrath through Him. 10 For (FG)if when we were enemies (FH)we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved (FI)by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also (FJ)rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Death in Adam, Life in Christ(FK)

12 Therefore, just as (FL)through one man sin entered the world, and (FM)death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but (FN)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, (FO)who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the [ao]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 (FP)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 [ap]offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s [aq]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 [ar]one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through (FQ)one[as] Man’s righteous act the free gift came (FR)to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by (FS)one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

20 Moreover (FT)the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace (FU)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

  1. Romans 1:3 came
  2. Romans 1:9 Or in
  3. Romans 1:16 NU omits of Christ
  4. Romans 1:18 hold down
  5. Romans 1:19 evident
  6. Romans 1:19 among
  7. Romans 1:20 divine nature, deity
  8. Romans 1:23 perishable
  9. Romans 1:26 Lit. females
  10. Romans 1:27 Lit. males
  11. Romans 1:27 Lit. female
  12. Romans 1:29 NU omits sexual immorality
  13. Romans 1:29 greed
  14. Romans 1:29 malice
  15. Romans 1:31 without understanding
  16. Romans 1:31 NU omits unforgiving
  17. Romans 2:5 unrepentant
  18. Romans 2:5 storing
  19. Romans 2:9 Gentile
  20. Romans 2:17 NU But if
  21. Romans 2:17 rely
  22. Romans 2:27 Lit. letter
  23. Romans 2:29 A play on words—Jew is literally praise.
  24. Romans 3:2 sayings, Scriptures
  25. Romans 3:4 Found true
  26. Romans 3:8 Lit. judgment
  27. Romans 3:13 grave
  28. Romans 3:19 accountable
  29. Romans 3:22 NU omits and on all
  30. Romans 3:24 without any cost
  31. Romans 3:25 mercy seat
  32. Romans 3:28 declared righteous
  33. Romans 4:1 Or (fore)father according to the flesh has found?
  34. Romans 4:3 imputed, credited, reckoned, counted
  35. Romans 4:4 according to
  36. Romans 4:16 certain
  37. Romans 5:1 Some ancient mss. let us have
  38. Romans 5:3 endurance
  39. Romans 5:4 approved character
  40. Romans 5:6 at the right time
  41. Romans 5:15 trespass or false step
  42. Romans 5:16 trespasses
  43. Romans 5:17 trespass
  44. Romans 5:18 Or one trespass
  45. Romans 5:18 Or one righteous act
Listen to Romans 1-5
Close NIV

Romans 1-5
New International Version

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle(A) and set apart(B) for the gospel of God(C)— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand(D) through his prophets(E) in the Holy Scriptures(F) 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a](G) was a descendant of David,(H) 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b](I) by his resurrection from the dead:(J) Jesus Christ our Lord.(K) 5 Through him we received grace(L) and apostleship to call all the Gentiles(M) to the obedience that comes from[c] faith(N) for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.(O)

7 To all in Rome who are loved by God(P) and called to be his holy people:(Q)

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.(R)

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,(S) because your faith is being reported all over the world.(T) 9 God, whom I serve(U) in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness(V) how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times;(W) and I pray that now at last by God’s will(X) the way may be opened for me to come to you.(Y)

11 I long to see you(Z) so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift(AA) to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware,(AB) brothers and sisters,[d](AC) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)(AD) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14 I am obligated(AE) both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.(AF)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel,(AG) because it is the power of God(AH) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:(AI) first to the Jew,(AJ) then to the Gentile.(AK) 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed(AL)—a righteousness that is by faith(AM) from first to last,[e] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[f](AN)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

18 The wrath of God(AO) is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.(AP) 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,(AQ) so that people are without excuse.(AR)

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.(AS) 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools(AT) 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images(AU) made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over(AV) in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.(AW) 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,(AX) and worshiped and served created things(AY) rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.(AZ) Amen.(BA)

26 Because of this, God gave them over(BB) to shameful lusts.(BC) Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.(BD) 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.(BE)

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over(BF) to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,(BG) 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;(BH) 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love,(BI) no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death,(BJ) they not only continue to do these very things but also approve(BK) of those who practice them.

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 You, therefore, have no excuse,(BL) you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.(BM) 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches(BN) of his kindness,(BO) forbearance(BP) and patience,(BQ) not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?(BR)

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath(BS), when his righteous judgment(BT) will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[g](BU) 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor(BV) and immortality,(BW) he will give eternal life.(BX) 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil,(BY) there will be wrath and anger.(BZ) 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil:(CA) first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;(CB) 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.(CC) 11 For God does not show favoritism.(CD)

12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law(CE) will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey(CF) the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law,(CG) they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets(CH) through Jesus Christ,(CI) as my gospel(CJ) declares.

The Jews and the Law

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;(CK) 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?(CL) 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?(CM) 23 You who boast in the law,(CN) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[h](CO)

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law,(CP) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.(CQ) 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,(CR) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?(CS) 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you(CT) who, even though you have the[i] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(CU) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(CV) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(CW) by the Spirit,(CX) not by the written code.(CY) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(CZ)

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!(DA) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.(DB)

3 What if some were unfaithful?(DC) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(DD) 4 Not at all! Let God be true,(DE) and every human being a liar.(DF) As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak
    and prevail when you judge.”[j](DG)

5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(DH) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(DI) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(DJ) 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,(DK) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”(DL) 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?(DM) Their condemnation is just!

No One Is Righteous

9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage?(DN) Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.(DO) 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.”[k](DP)
13 “Their throats are open graves;
    their tongues practice deceit.”[l](DQ)
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[m](DR)
14     “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[n](DS)
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.”[o](DT)
18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[p](DU)

19 Now we know that whatever the law says,(DV) it says to those who are under the law,(DW) so that every mouth may be silenced(DX) and the whole world held accountable to God.(DY) 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;(DZ) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.(EA)

Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God(EB) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.(EC) 22 This righteousness(ED) is given through faith(EE) in[q] Jesus Christ(EF) to all who believe.(EG) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,(EH) 23 for all have sinned(EI) and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified(EJ) freely by his grace(EK) through the redemption(EL) that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[r](EM) through the shedding of his blood(EN)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished(EO)— 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?(EP) 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.(EQ) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,(ER) 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.(ES) 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(ET) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,(EU) discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.(EV) 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[s](EW)

4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift(EX) 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.(EY) 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.”[t](EZ)

9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?(FA) We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.(FB) 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.(FC) So then, he is the father(FD) of all who believe(FE) 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(FF) that he would be heir of the world,(FG) but through the righteousness that comes by faith.(FH) 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,(FI) 15 because the law brings wrath.(FJ) And where there is no law there is no transgression.(FK)

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace(FL) and may be guaranteed(FM) 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.(FN) 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[u](FO) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life(FP) to the dead and calls(FQ) into being things that were not.(FR)

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,(FS) just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[v](FT) 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead(FU)—since he was about a hundred years old(FV)—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.(FW) 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened(FX) in his faith and gave glory to God,(FY) 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.(FZ) 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”(GA) 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us,(GB) to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him(GC) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.(GD) 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins(GE) and was raised to life for our justification.(GF)

Peace and Hope

5 Therefore, since we have been justified(GG) through faith,(GH) we[w] have peace(GI) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(GJ) 2 through whom we have gained access(GK) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.(GL) And we[x] boast in the hope(GM) of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[y] also glory in our sufferings,(GN) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;(GO) 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope(GP) does not put us to shame, because God’s love(GQ) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,(GR) who has been given to us.

6 You see, at just the right time,(GS) when we were still powerless,(GT) Christ died for the ungodly.(GU) 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.(GV)

9 Since we have now been justified(GW) by his blood,(GX) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath(GY) through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies,(GZ) we were reconciled(HA) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!(HB) 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.(HC)

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,(HD) and death through sin,(HE) and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned(HF)—

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.(HG) 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,(HH) who is a pattern of the one to come.(HI)

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(HJ) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(HK) 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(HL) 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(HM) through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(HN) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(HO) and life(HP) for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(HQ) the many were made sinners,(HR) so also through the obedience(HS) of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.(HT) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,(HU) 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(HV) so also grace(HW) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life(HX) through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 1:3 Or who according to the flesh
  2. Romans 1:4 Or was declared with power to be the Son of God
  3. Romans 1:5 Or that is
  4. Romans 1:13 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 7:1, 4; 8:12, 29; 10:1; 11:25; 12:1; 15:14, 30; 16:14, 17.
  5. Romans 1:17 Or is from faith to faith
  6. Romans 1:17 Hab. 2:4
  7. Romans 2:6 Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12
  8. Romans 2:24 Isaiah 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek. 36:20,22
  9. Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a
  10. Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4
  11. Romans 3:12 Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20
  12. Romans 3:13 Psalm 5:9
  13. Romans 3:13 Psalm 140:3
  14. Romans 3:14 Psalm 10:7 (see Septuagint)
  15. Romans 3:17 Isaiah 59:7,8
  16. Romans 3:18 Psalm 36:1
  17. Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
  18. 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).
  19. Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
  20. Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1,2
  21. Romans 4:17 Gen. 17:5
  22. Romans 4:18 Gen. 15:5
  23. Romans 5:1 Many manuscripts let us
  24. Romans 5:2 Or let us
  25. Romans 5:3 Or let us
Next
Acts 28
Romans 6
Next
dropdown
New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Learn the Bible in 30 days
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV