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Romans 3
1599 Geneva Bible

3 1 He giveth the Jews some  2 preferment, for the covenant’s sake, 4 but yet such, as wholly dependeth on God’s mercy. 9 That both Jews and Gentiles are sinners, 11 he proveth by Scriptures: 19 and showing the use of the Law, 28 he concludeth that we are justified by faith.

1 What [a]is then the preferment of the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?

2 Much every manner of way: for [b]chiefly, because unto them were of credit committed the [c]oracles of God.

3 For what, though some did not [d]believe? shall their unbelief make the [e]faith of God without effect?

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, and every man a liar, as it is written, That thou mightest be [f]justified in thy words, and overcome, [g]when thou art judged.

5 [h]Now if our [i]unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? is God unrighteous which punisheth? (I speak as [j]a man.)

6 God forbid: (else how shall God judge the world?)

7 [k]For if the [l]verity of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory, why am I yet condemned as a sinner?

8 And (as we are blamed, and as some affirm, that we say) why do we not evil, that good may come thereof? whose damnation is just.

9 [m]What then? are we more excellent? No, in no wise: for we have already proved, that all, both Jews and Gentiles are [n]under sin,

10 As it is written, (A)There is none righteous no not one.

11 There is none that understandeth: there is none that seeketh God.

12 They have all gone out of the way: they have been made altogether unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no not one.

13 (B)Their throat is an open sepulcher: they have used their tongues to deceit: (C)the poison of asps is under their lips.

14 (D)Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.

15 (E)Their feet are swift to shed blood.

16 Destruction and calamity are in their ways:

17 And the [o]way of peace they have not known.

18 (F)The fear of God is not before their eyes.

19 [p]Now we know that whatsoever the [q]law saith, it saith it to them which are under the law, that [r]every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be [s]subject to the judgment of God.

20 Therefore by the [t]works of the Law shall no [u]flesh be [v]justified in his [w]sight: for by the Law cometh the knowledge of sin.

21 [x]But now is the righteousness of God made manifest without the Law, having witness of the Law, and of the Prophets,

22 [y]To wit, the righteousness of God by the faith of [z]Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all that believe.

23 For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and are deprived of the [aa]glory of God,

24 [ab]And are justified [ac]freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

25 [ad]Whom God hath set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his [ae]blood to declare his righteousness, by the forgiveness of the sins that [af]are passed,

26 Through the [ag]patience of God, to show at [ah]this time his righteousness, that he might be [ai]just, and a [aj]justifier of him which is of the [ak]faith of Jesus.

27 [al]Where is then the rejoicing? It is excluded. By what [am]Law? of works? Nay: but by the Law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith, without the works of the Law.

29 [an]God, is he the God of the [ao]Jews only, and not of the Gentiles also? Yes, even of the Gentiles also.

30 For it is one God, who shall justify [ap]circumcision of faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 [aq]Do we then make the Law of [ar]none effect through faith? God forbid: yea, we [as]establish the Law.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:1 The first meeting with, or preventing an objection of the Jews: what then, have the Jews no more preferment than the Gentiles? yes, that have they, saith the Apostle, on God’s behalf: for he committed the tables of the covenant to them, so that the unbelief of a few, cannot cause the whole nation without exception to be cast away of God, who is true, and who also useth their unworthiness to commend and set forth his goodness.
  2. Romans 3:2 The Jews’ state and condition was chiefest.
  3. Romans 3:2 Words.
  4. Romans 3:3 Break the covenant.
  5. Romans 3:3 The faith that God gave.
  6. Romans 3:4 That thy justice might be plainly seen.
  7. Romans 3:4 Forasmuch as thou showest forth an evident token of thy righteousness, constancy and faith, by preserving him who had broken his covenant.
  8. Romans 3:5 Another prevention, issuing out of the former answer: that the justice of God is in such sort commended and set forth by our unrighteousness, that therefore God forgetteth not that he is the judge of the world, and therefore a most severe revenger of unrighteousness.
  9. Romans 3:5 Treachery, and all the fruits thereof.
  10. Romans 3:5 Therefore I speak not these words in mine own person, as though I thought so, but this is the talk of man’s wisdom, which is not subject to the will of God.
  11. Romans 3:7 A third objection which addeth somewhat to the former, If sins do turn to the glory of God, they are not only not to be punished, but we ought rather to give ourselves to them: which blasphemy Paul contending himself to curse and detest, pronounceth just punishment against such blasphemers.
  12. Romans 3:7 The truth and constancy.
  13. Romans 3:9 Another answer to the first objection: that the Jews, if they be considered in themselves, are no better than other men are: as it has been long since pronounced by the mouth of the Prophets.
  14. Romans 3:9 Are guilty of sin.
  15. Romans 3:17 An innocent and peaceable life.
  16. Romans 3:19 He proveth that this grievous accusation which is uttered by David and Isaiah, doth properly concern the Jews.
  17. Romans 3:19 The law of Moses.
  18. Romans 3:19 A conclusion of all the former disputation, from verse 8 of the first Chapter. Therefore saith the Apostle, No man can hope to be justified by any Law, whether it be that general Law, or the particular Law of Moses, and therefore to be saved: seeing it appeareth (as we have already proved) by comparing the Law and man’s life together, that all men are sinners, and therefore worthy of condemnation in the sight of God.
  19. Romans 3:19 Be found guilty before God.
  20. Romans 3:20 By that that the Law can by us be performed.
  21. Romans 3:20 Flesh is here taken for man, as in many other places, and furthermore hath here a greater force: for it is put to show the contrariety betwixt God and man: as if you would say, Man who is nothing else but a piece of flesh defiled with sin, and God who is most pure and most perfect in himself.
  22. Romans 3:20 Absolved before the judgment seat of God.
  23. Romans 3:20 A secret setting of the righteousness which is before men, be they never so just, against the justice which can stand before God: now there is no righteousness can stand before God, but the righteousness of Christ only.
  24. Romans 3:21 Therefore saith the Apostle, Lest that men should perish, God doth now exhibit that, which he promised of old, that is to say, a way whereby we may be justified and saved before him without the Law.
  25. Romans 3:22 The matter, as it were of this righteousness, is Christ Jesus apprehended by faith, and for this end offered to all people, as without him all people are shut out from the kingdom of God.
  26. Romans 3:22 Which we give to Jesus Christ, or which resteth upon him.
  27. Romans 3:23 By the Glory of God, is meant that mark which we all shoot at, that is, everlasting life, which standeth in that we are made partakers of the glory of God.
  28. Romans 3:24 Therefore this righteousness touching us, is altogether freely given, for it standeth upon those things which we have not done ourselves, but such as Christ hath suffered for our sakes, to deliver us from sin.
  29. Romans 3:24 Of his free gift, and mere liberality.
  30. Romans 3:25 God then is the author of that free justification, because it pleaseth him: and Christ is he, which suffered punishment for our sins, and in whom we have remission of them: and the means whereby we apprehend Christ, is faith. To be short, the end is the setting forth of the goodness of God, that by this means it may appear, that he is merciful indeed, and constant in his promises, as he that freely, and of mere grace justifieth the believers.
  31. Romans 3:25 This name of Blood, calleth us back to the figure of the old sacrifices, the truth and substance of which sacrifices is in Christ.
  32. Romans 3:25 Of those sins which we committed when we were his enemies.
  33. Romans 3:26 Through his patience, and suffering nature.
  34. Romans 3:26 To wit, when Paul wrote this.
  35. Romans 3:26 That he might be found exceeding true and faithful.
  36. Romans 3:26 Making him just, and without blame by imputing Christ’s righteousness unto him.
  37. Romans 3:26 Of the number of them which by faith lay hold upon Christ: contrary to whom, are they which look to be saved by circumcision, that is, by the Law.
  38. Romans 3:27 An argument to prove this conclusion, that we are justified by faith without works, taken from the end of Justification. The end of Justification is the glory of God alone: therefore we are justified by faith without works: for if we were justified either by our own works only, or partly by faith, and partly by works, the glory of this justification should not be wholly given to God.
  39. Romans 3:27 By what doctrine? now the doctrine of works hath [this] condition joined with it, If thou doest: and the doctrine of faith hath this condition, If thou believest.
  40. Romans 3:29 Another argument of an absurdity: if justification depended upon the Law of Moses, then should God be a Savior to the Jews only. Again: if he should save the Jews after one sort, and the Gentiles after another, he should not be one and like himself. Therefore he will justify both of them after one selfsame manner, that is to say, by faith. Moreover, this argument must be joined to that which followeth next, that this conclusion may be firm and evident.
  41. Romans 3:29 God is said to be their God, after the manner of the Scripture, whom he loveth and tendereth.
  42. Romans 3:30 The circumcised.
  43. Romans 3:31 The taking away of an objection: yet it is not the Law taken away therefore, but is rather established, as it shall be declared in [its] proper place.
  44. Romans 3:31 Vain, void, to no purpose, and of no force.
  45. Romans 3:31 We make it effectual and strong.
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Romans 3
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.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:2 sayings, Scriptures
  2. Romans 3:4 Found true
  3. Romans 3:8 Lit. judgment
  4. Romans 3:13 grave
  5. Romans 3:19 accountable
  6. Romans 3:22 NU omits and on all
  7. Romans 3:24 without any cost
  8. Romans 3:25 mercy seat
  9. Romans 3:28 declared righteous
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Romans 3
Christian Standard Bible

Paul Answers an Objection

3 So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted(A) with the very words of God.(B) 3 What then? If some were unfaithful,(C) will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Absolutely not!(D) Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar,(E) as it is written:

That you may be justified in your words
and triumph when you judge.[a](F)

5 But if our unrighteousness highlights[b] God’s righteousness,(G) what are we to say?(H) I am using a human argument:[c](I) Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? 6 Absolutely not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?(J) 7 But if by my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?(K) 8 And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”?(L) Their condemnation is deserved!

The Whole World Guilty before God

9 What then? Are we any better off?[d] Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews(M) and Greeks(N) are all under sin,[e](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;
all alike have become worthless.
There is no one who does what is good,
not even one.[f](P)
13 Their throat is an open grave;
they deceive with their tongues.[g](Q)
Vipers’ venom is under their lips.[h](R)
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.[i](S)
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,
17 and the path of peace they have not known.[j](T)
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.[k](U)

19 Now we know that whatever the law says,(V) it speaks to those who are subject to the law,[l](W) so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.[m](X) 20 For no one will be justified[n] in his sight by the works of the law,(Y) because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.(Z)

The Righteousness of God through Faith

21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed,(AA) attested by the Law and the Prophets.[o](AB) 22 The righteousness of God is through faith(AC) in Jesus Christ[p](AD) to all who believe,(AE) since there is no distinction.(AF) 23 For all have sinned(AG) and fall short of the[q] glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace(AH) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.(AI) 25 God presented him as the mercy seat[r](AJ) by his blood,(AK) through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God(AL) passed over the sins previously committed.(AM) 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?(AN) It is excluded. By what kind of law?[s](AO) By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law[t] of faith. 28 For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(AP) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only?(AQ) Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is one God(AR) who will justify the circumcised by faith(AS) and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not!(AT) On the contrary, we uphold the law.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. 3:4 Ps 51:4
  2. 3:5 Or shows, or demonstrates
  3. 3:5 Lit I speak as a man
  4. 3:9 Are we Jews any better than the Gentiles?
  5. 3:9 Under sin’s power or dominion
  6. 3:10–12 Ps 14:1–3; 53:1–3; Ec 7:20
  7. 3:13 Ps 5:9
  8. 3:13 Ps 140:3
  9. 3:14 Ps 10:7
  10. 3:15–17 Is 59:7–8
  11. 3:18 Ps 36:1
  12. 3:19 Lit those in the law
  13. 3:19 Or become guilty before God, or may be accountable to God
  14. 3:20 Or will be declared righteous, or will be acquitted
  15. 3:21 When capitalized, the Law and the Prophets = OT
  16. 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ
  17. 3:23 Or and lack the
  18. 3:25 Or propitiation, or place of atonement
  19. 3:27 Or what principle?
  20. 3:27 Or a principle
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Romans 3
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:

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

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.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4
  2. Romans 3:12 Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20
  3. Romans 3:13 Psalm 5:9
  4. Romans 3:13 Psalm 140:3
  5. Romans 3:14 Psalm 10:7 (see Septuagint)
  6. Romans 3:17 Isaiah 59:7,8
  7. Romans 3:18 Psalm 36:1
  8. Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
  9. 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).
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1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.

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