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.

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Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God(A) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.(B) 22 This righteousness(C) is given through faith(D) in[a] Jesus Christ(E) to all who believe.(F) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,(G) 23 for all have sinned(H) and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified(I) freely by his grace(J) through the redemption(K) that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[b](L) through the shedding of his blood(M)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished(N) 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?(O) 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.(P) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,(Q) 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.(R) 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
  2. 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).

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

21 But now (A)the righteousness of God (B)has been manifested apart from the law, although (C)the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God (D)through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (E)For there is no distinction: 23 for (F)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 (G)and are justified (H)by his grace as a gift, (I)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God (J)put forward as (K)a propitiation (L)by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in (M)his divine forbearance he had passed over (N)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 (O)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 (P)apart from works of the law. 29 Or (Q)is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since (R)God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and (S)the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

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The Righteousness of God through Faith

21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed,(A) attested by the Law and the Prophets.[a](B) 22 The righteousness of God is through faith(C) in Jesus Christ[b](D) to all who believe,(E) since there is no distinction.(F) 23 For all have sinned(G) and fall short of the[c] glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace(H) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.(I) 25 God presented him as the mercy seat[d](J) by his blood,(K) through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God(L) passed over the sins previously committed.(M) 26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

27 Where, then, is boasting?(N) It is excluded. By what kind of law?[e](O) By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law[f] of faith. 28 For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(P) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only?(Q) Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is one God(R) who will justify the circumcised by faith(S) and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not!(T) On the contrary, we uphold the law.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:21 When capitalized, the Law and the Prophets = OT
  2. 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ
  3. 3:23 Or and lack the
  4. 3:25 Or propitiation, or place of atonement
  5. 3:27 Or what principle?
  6. 3:27 Or a principle

Justification by Faith

21 But now apart [a]from the Law (A)the righteousness of God has been manifested, being (B)witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the (C)righteousness of God through (D)faith (E)in Jesus Christ for (F)all those [b]who believe; for (G)there is no distinction; 23 for all [c](H)have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift (I)by His grace through (J)the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as (K)a [d]propitiation [e](L)in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, [f]because in the (M)forbearance of God He (N)passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who [g]has faith in Jesus.

27 Where then is (O)boasting? It is excluded. By (P)what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 [h]For (Q)we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works [i]of the Law. 29 Or (R)is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed (S)God (T)who will justify the [j]circumcised [k]by faith and the [l]uncircumcised through faith (U)is one.

31 Do we then nullify [m]the Law through faith? (V)May it never be! On the contrary, we (W)establish the Law.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:21 Or from law
  2. Romans 3:22 Or who believe. For there is no distinction, since they all have sinned...and are being justified
  3. Romans 3:23 Or sinned
  4. Romans 3:25 Or a propitiatory sacrifice
  5. Romans 3:25 Or by
  6. Romans 3:25 Lit because of the passing over of the sins previously committed in the forbearance of God
  7. Romans 3:26 Lit is of the faith of Jesus
  8. Romans 3:28 One early ms reads Therefore
  9. Romans 3:28 Or of law
  10. Romans 3:30 Lit circumcision
  11. Romans 3:30 Lit out of
  12. Romans 3:30 Lit uncircumcision
  13. Romans 3:31 Or law