Människans orättfärdighet och Guds rättfärdighet

Vilket företräde har då judarna, eller vilken nytta har de av omskärelsen? Ett stort företräde på allt sätt. Först och främst att Guds ord har anförtrotts åt dem. Vad betyder det, om somliga inte trodde? Inte kan väl deras otro göra Guds trofasthet om intet? Nej, aldrig! Låt det stå fast att Gud är sann och varje människa en lögnare. Det står ju skrivet:För att du skall få rätt i dina ord och vinna, när man går till rätta med dig.[a]

Men om vår orättfärdighet visar Guds rättfärdighet, vad skall vi då säga? Inte kan väl Gud, som straffar i sin vrede, vara orättfärdig - jag talar som människor tänker? Nej, aldrig! Hur skulle han då kunna döma världen? Men om Guds sannfärdighet genom min lögnaktighet framstår så mycket klarare till hans ära, varför blir jag då dömd som syndare? Varför inte säga: "Låt oss göra det onda, för att något gott skall komma av det?" Så säger man hånfullt om oss, och så påstår även somliga att vi lär. De skall få den dom som de förtjänar.

Inför Gud är alla syndare

Hur är det då? Har vi något företräde? Nej, inte alls! Vi har ju redan anklagat både judar och greker för att alla vara under syndens välde. 10 Det står skrivet:

Ingen rättfärdig finns, inte en enda[b]
11 ingen förståndig finns, ingen finns som söker Gud.
12 Alla har avvikit, alla har blivit fördärvade.
Ingen finns som gör det goda, inte en enda.
13 En öppen grav är deras strupe. Sina tungor använder de till svek.
Huggormsgift är bakom deras läppar.[c]
14 Deras mun är full av förbannelse och bitterhet.[d]
15 De är snabba på foten till att utgjuta blod.[e]
16 Förödelse och elände råder på deras vägar,
17 och fridens väg känner de inte.
18 De har inte gudsfruktan inför sina ögon.[f]

19 Men vi vet att allt vad lagen säger, det talar den till dem som har lagen, för att var mun skall stoppas till och hela världen stå med skuld inför Gud. 20 Ty ingen människa förklaras rättfärdig inför honom genom laggärningar. Genom lagen ges insikt om synd.

Förklarad rättfärdig i Kristus

21 Men nu har utan lagen en rättfärdighet från Gud blivit uppenbarad, en som lagen och profeterna vittnar om, 22 en rättfärdighet från Gud genom tro på Jesus Kristus, för alla som tror. Ty här finns ingen skillnad. 23 Alla har syndat och saknar härligheten från Gud, 24 och de står som rättfärdiga utan att ha förtjänat det, av hans nåd, därför att Kristus Jesus har friköpt dem. 25 Honom har Gud, genom hans blod, ställt fram som en nådastol,[g] att tas emot genom tron. Så ville han visa sin rättfärdighet,[h] eftersom han hade lämnat ostraffade de synder som förut hade blivit begångna, 26 under tiden för Guds tålamod. I den tid som nu är ville han visa sin rättfärdighet: att han själv är rättfärdig, när han förklarar den rättfärdig som tror på Jesus.

27 Men vad kan vi då berömma oss av? Allt beröm är uteslutet. Genom vilken regel? Genom gärningarnas? Nej, genom trons regel. 28 Vi hävdar att människan förklaras rättfärdig genom tro, utan laggärningar. 29 Eller är Gud endast judarnas Gud? Är han inte också hedningarnas? Jo, också hedningarnas, 30 lika säkert som Gud är en, han som förklarar den omskurne rättfärdig av tro och den oomskurne genom tro. 31 Sätter vi då lagen ur kraft genom tron? Nej, inte alls! Vi upprätthåller lagen.

Footnotes

  1. Romarbrevet 3:4 Ps 51:6.
  2. Romarbrevet 3:10 Ps 14:1f.
  3. Romarbrevet 3:13 Ps 5:10, 140:4.
  4. Romarbrevet 3:14 Ps 10:7.
  5. Romarbrevet 3:15 Jes 59:7f.
  6. Romarbrevet 3:18 Ps 36:2.
  7. Romarbrevet 3:25 nådastol Ordagrant: "soningsställe". Ordet syftar på nådastolen, det gyllene locket på förbundsarken, (2 Mos 25:17f, 3 Mos 16:14f).
  8. Romarbrevet 3:25 visa sin rättfärdighet som fordrar att synden blir sonad på ett ställföreträdande sätt.

God's Righteousness Upheld

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, (A)the Jews were entrusted with (B)the oracles of God. (C)What if some were unfaithful? (D)Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! (E)Let God be true though (F)every one were a liar, as it is written,

(G)“That you may be justified in your words,
    and prevail when you (H)are judged.”

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.) By no means! For then how could (K)God judge the world? But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, (L)why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 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

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

  1. Romans 3:9 Greek Are we
  2. Romans 3:9 Or at any disadvantage?
  3. Romans 3:20 Greek flesh

What then is the advantage of the Yehudi? Or what is the value of the bris milah?

Much in every way! For, koidem kol (in the first place), they are entrusted with the Divrei Hashem (the oracles, the words of G-d).

So, where does that leave us? If some have disbelieved, has their lack of emunah annulled the ne’emanut (faithfulness, trustworthiness, reliability) of Hashem?

Chas v’shalom (G-d forbid!) Let G-d be true and KOL HAADAM KOZEV ("every man a liar" TEHILLIM 116:11). Even as it is written, L’MA’AN TITZDAK B’DAVRECHA ("in order that you might be vindicated when you speak" and shall overcome when you judge TEHILLIM 51:6[4]).

But if our unrighteousness brings out and highlights the Tzedek Olamim, the Tzidkat Hashem (the righteousness of G-d), what shall we say? Rhetorically speaking, is G-d unjust in inflicting Charon Af Hashem (1:18)? (I speak from a human standpoint.)

Chas v’shalom! (G-d forbid!) For then how could Hashem be HaShofet kol ha’Aretz (BERESHIS 18:25)?

"But if the Emes Hashem (truth of G-d) has by my sheker overflowed to His kavod (glory), why am I still judged as a rashah (an evildoer)?"

Why do we not say, as some speakers of lashon hora slanderously report us to say, "Let us do rah that tov might come of it"? The gezar din (verdict) of ashem (guilty) on them is well deserved.

What then? Are we (Yehudim) better off? Not altogether. For we have now charged both Yehudim and non-Jews as all alike under HaChet (sin, i.e., the power of Chet Kadmon Ro 7:23),

10 As it is written, EIN TZADDIK BA’ARETZ (KOHELET 7:20), There is none [on earth] righteous, not even one.

11 There is none who has binah, there is none who seeks out G-d.

12 All have turned aside, they have become altogether paskudneh, worthless; there is none who does good, there is none, not so much as one.

13 Their throat is an open grave. They use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips,

14 Whose mouth is full of curses and bitterness.

15 Their feet are swift when it comes to shefach dahm.

16 Ruin and wretchedness are in their ways,

17 And the derech Shalom (the way of peace) they have not known.

18 There is no yirat Shomayim (fear of G-d) before their eyes. (See TEHILLIM 13:1-3; 14:1-3; 5:9,10; 139:4; 140:3; 9:28; 10:7; YESHAYAH 59:7 8; TEHILLIM 36:1; MISHLE 1:16; TEHILLIM 35:2.)

19 Now we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those under the Torah, in order that every mouth might be stopped and kol HaOlam Hazeh become ashem (guilty) and liable to the Mishpat Hashem [TEHILLIM 1:5].

20 For by Ma’asim (Works) of Chok (Law) shall KOL CHAI LO YITZDAK ("all living not be justified" TEHILLIM 143:2), for through the Chok (Law) comes the da’as HaChet (the knowledge of sin, BERESHIS 3:7).

21 But now, apart from the Chok, the Tzedek Olamim—the Tzidkat Hashem—has been revealed, as attested by the Torah and the Nevi’im,

22 That is, the Tzidkat Hashem through emunah in Moshiach Yehoshua (Yeshua) to all the ma’aminim (believers). For there is no distinction.

23 For all have sinned and suffered want of the kavod Hashem.

24 They are acquitted and accounted to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM as a matnat Hashem (gift of G-d) by the unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem (grace of G-d) through HaPedut (the ransom, the payment of ransom for the Geulah redemption—Shmuel Bais 7:23 that comes about through the Go’el Moshiach Tzidkeinu) which is in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua,

25 Whom G-d set forth as a kapporah (that which propitiates G-d’s wrath; cf the sa’ir l’azazel in Lv 16:22 and Isa 53:12 paying the onesh for sin) through emunah (faith) in the DAHM ("blood" Gen 22:7; Ex 12:3,6; Isa 53:7,10) of Moshiach, to demonstrate the Tzedek Olamim, the Tzidkat Hashem (righteousness of G-d) in pasach (passing over, letting go the penalty of) the averos (sins) committed in former times

26 In the forbearance of G-d, to vindicate his Tzidkat Hashem (righteousness of G-d) in the present time, that HASHEM TZADDIK ("G-d is righteous" DIVREY HAYAMIM BAIS 12:6) Himself and the One who counts to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM (IYOV 25:4) the person who has emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust) in [Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach] Yehoshua.

27 Where then is boasting? (Ro 4:2) It has been memayet (precluded, excluded). By what kind of Torah? Of ma’asim (works)? No, on the contrary, by the Torah of Emunah (the Law of Faith, that is, the Law understood in terms of emunah).

28 For we reckon that a man is acquitted and pronounced to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM by emunah (personal faith, trust, bitachon), apart from the [(supposed) zechus-earning] ma’asei mitzvot.

29 Or is Hashem G-d of the Yehudim only? Is Hashem not also G-d of the Nations? Ken, of non-Jews, too,

30 Vi-bahlt (since), after all, Adonai echad ("G-d is one" DEVARIM 6:4). Therefore, He will consider to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM and acquit those of the bris milah on the ground of emunah and the "arelim" (uncircumcised ones) through that same emunah.

31 Does it follow that we abolish Torah and make it invalid through emunah? Chas v’shalom! Aderaba (to the contrary), we uphold the Torah.

God’s Faithfulness

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way!(A) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.(B)

What if some were unfaithful?(C) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(D) 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)

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) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(J) 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) 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

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).