Romans 3
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.
Romans 3
Amplified Bible
All the World Guilty
3 Then what is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God [His very [a]words].(A) 3 What then? If some did not believe or were unfaithful [to God], their lack of belief will not nullify and make invalid the faithfulness of God and His word, will it? 4 Certainly not! Let God be found true [as He will be], though every person be found a liar, just as it is written [in Scripture],
“That You may be justified in Your words,
And prevail when You are judged [by sinful men].”(B)
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God is not wrong to inflict His wrath [on us], is He? (I am speaking in purely human terms.) 6 Certainly not! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? 7 But [as you might say] if through my lie God’s truth was magnified and abounded to His glory, why am I still being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, (as some slanderously report and claim that we teach) “Let us do evil so that good may come of it”? Their condemnation [by God] is just.
9 Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power. 10 As it is written and forever remains written,
“There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.(C)
11
“There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God.(D)
12
“All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”(E)
13
“Their throat is an open grave;
They [habitually] deceive with their tongues.”
“The venom of asps is beneath their lips.”(F)
14
“Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”(G)
15
“Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16
Destruction and misery are in their paths,
17
And they have not known the path of peace.”(H)
18
“There is no fear of God [and His awesome power] before their eyes.”(I)
19 Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment]. 20 For no [b]person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].
Justification by Faith
21 But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. 22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction,(J) 23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] [c]grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] [d]sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. 26 It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].
27 Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith. 28 For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not also the God of Gentiles [who were not given the Law]? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed it is one [and the same] God who will justify the circumcised by faith [which began with Abraham] and the uncircumcised through [their newly acquired] faith.
31 Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].
Footnotes
- Romans 3:2 I.e. the Old Testament promises.
- Romans 3:20 Lit flesh.
- Romans 3:24 I.e. His favor and mercy, extended to man who can do nothing to be worthy of it. It is God’s amazing gift.
- Romans 3:25 By laying his hands on the head of the sacrifice the person offering the sacrifice identified himself with it and through its death it became an atonement or covering for his sin. Because the unblemished sacrifice “covered” his sin it placed the person offering the sacrifice in a right relationship with God. Later under the new covenant the perfection and sacrifice of Christ would cover (atone for) the imperfection and sin of those who identified with Him and accepted Him as Savior.
Romans 3
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.
Footnotes
- Romans 3:9 Greek Are we
- Romans 3:9 Or at any disadvantage?
- Romans 3:20 Greek flesh
Romanos 3
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
¿Qué ventaja tiene el judío?
3 ¿Cuál es, entonces, la ventaja del judío? ¿O cuál el beneficio de la circuncisión? 2 Grande, en todo sentido. En primer lugar, porque a ellos les han sido confiados los oráculos[a] de Dios(A). 3 Entonces ¿qué? Si algunos fueron infieles[b](B), ¿acaso su infidelidad[c] anulará la fidelidad de Dios? 4 ¡De ningún modo(C)! Antes bien, sea hallado Dios veraz, aunque todo hombre sea hallado mentiroso(D); como está escrito:
5 Pero si nuestra injusticia hace resaltar la justicia de Dios(F), ¿qué diremos(G)? ¿Acaso es injusto el Dios que expresa[e] Su ira? Hablo en términos humanos(H). 6 ¡De ningún modo(I)! Pues de otra manera, ¿cómo juzgaría Dios al mundo(J)?
7 Pero si por mi mentira la verdad de Dios(K) abundó para Su gloria, ¿por qué también soy yo aún juzgado como pecador(L)? 8 ¿Y por qué no decir, como se nos calumnia, y como algunos afirman que nosotros decimos: Hagamos el mal para que venga el bien(M)? La condenación de los tales es justa.
Todos han pecado
9 ¿Entonces qué? ¿Somos nosotros mejores[f] que ellos(N)? ¡De ninguna manera! Porque ya hemos denunciado que tanto judíos como griegos están todos bajo pecado(O). 10 Como está escrito:
«(P)No hay justo, ni aun uno;
11 No hay quien entienda,
No hay quien busque a Dios.
12 Todos se han desviado, a una se hicieron inútiles;
No hay quien haga lo bueno,
No hay ni siquiera uno.
13 Sepulcro abierto es su garganta,
Engañan de continuo con su lengua(Q).
Veneno de serpientes[g] hay bajo sus labios(R);
14 Llena está su boca de maldición y amargura(S).
15 (T)Sus pies son veloces para derramar sangre.
16 Destrucción y miseria hay en sus caminos,
17 Y la senda de paz no han conocido.
18 No hay temor de Dios delante de sus ojos(U)».
Justificación por medio de la fe
19 Ahora bien, sabemos que cuanto dice la ley(V), lo dice a los que están bajo[h] la ley(W), para que toda boca se calle[i] y todo el mundo sea hecho responsable ante Dios(X). 20 Porque por las obras de la ley[j] ningún ser humano[k] será justificado delante de Él(Y); pues por medio de la ley[l] viene el conocimiento del pecado(Z).
21 Pero ahora, aparte de la ley[m], la justicia de Dios ha sido manifestada(AA), confirmada por la ley y los profetas(AB). 22 Esta justicia de Dios por medio de la fe(AC) en Jesucristo es para todos los que creen(AD). Porque no hay distinción(AE), 23 por cuanto todos pecaron[n](AF) y no alcanzan la gloria de Dios.
24 Todos son justificados gratuitamente por Su gracia por medio de la redención que es en Cristo Jesús(AG), 25 a quien Dios exhibió públicamente como propiciación[o](AH) por Su sangre(AI) a través de la fe, como demostración de Su justicia, porque en Su tolerancia, Dios(AJ) pasó por alto los pecados cometidos anteriormente[p](AK), 26 para demostrar[q] en este tiempo Su justicia, a fin de que Él sea justo y sea el que justifica al que tiene fe en Jesús[r].
27 ¿Dónde está, pues, la jactancia(AL)? Queda excluida. ¿Por cuál ley? ¿La de las obras(AM)? No, sino por la ley de la fe. 28 Porque[s] concluimos que el hombre es justificado por la fe aparte de las obras de la ley[t](AN).
29 ¿O es Dios el Dios de los judíos solamente? ¿No es también el Dios de los gentiles? Sí, también de los gentiles(AO), 30 porque en verdad Dios es uno(AP), el cual justificará en virtud de la fe a los circuncisos[u](AQ) y por medio de la fe a los incircuncisos[v](AR).
31 ¿Anulamos entonces la ley por medio de la fe? ¡De ningún modo(AS)! Al contrario, confirmamos la ley(AT).
Footnotes
- Romanos 3:2 O las palabras.
- Romanos 3:3 O incrédulos.
- Romanos 3:3 O incredulidad.
- Romanos 3:4 O entres en juicio.
- Romanos 3:5 O inflige.
- Romanos 3:9 O posiblemente, peores.
- Romanos 3:13 Lit. áspides.
- Romanos 3:19 Lit. en.
- Romanos 3:19 Lit. cierre.
- Romanos 3:20 O de ley.
- Romanos 3:20 Lit. ninguna carne.
- Romanos 3:20 O por medio de ley.
- Romanos 3:21 O de ley.
- Romanos 3:23 O han pecado.
- Romanos 3:25 O sacrificio propiciatorio.
- Romanos 3:25 Lit. por causa de haber pasado por alto, en la paciencia de Dios, los pecados previamente cometidos.
- Romanos 3:26 Lit. demostración.
- Romanos 3:26 Lit. es de la fe de Jesús.
- Romanos 3:28 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: Por tanto.
- Romanos 3:28 Lit. O de ley.
- Romanos 3:30 Lit. la circuncisión.
- Romanos 3:30 Lit. la incircuncisión.
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