Jews Still Have An Advantage

1 What advantage then does the Jew have [i.e., over the Gentile]? Or what value is there in circumcision?

1 Then what (a)advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

1 So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

1 What advantage, then, does the Jew have, or what value is there in circumcision?

2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the messages of God [i.e., their prophets received divine revelations].

2 Great in every respect. First of all, that (A)they were entrusted with the (B)oracles of God.

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

2 Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted(A) with the spoken words of God.(B)

2 There are all kinds of advantages! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the utterances of God.

3 But what if some [of the Jews] were unfaithful? Does their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? Certainly not!

3 What then? If (C)some (b)did not believe, their (c)unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

3 What then? If some did not believe,(C) will their unbelief cancel God’s faithfulness?

3 What if some of the Jews were unfaithful? Their unfaithfulness cannot cancel God's faithfulness, can it?

4 But let God be truthful, [even if] everyone [else] is a liar. For it is written [Psa. 51:4], "[God], you should be proven right when you speak, and win [your case] when put on trial."

4 (D)May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found (E)a liar, as it is written,(F)That You may be justified in Your words,And prevail when You (d)are judged.”

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.

4 Absolutely not!(D) God must be true, even if everyone is a liar,(E) as it is written:That You may be justified in Your wordsand triumph when You judge.(F)(a)

4 Of course not! God is true, even if everyone else is a liar. As it is written, "You are right when you speak, and win your case when you go into court."

5 Now if our wrongdoing serves to emphasize more clearly that God does what is right, what should we say about that? Is God being unjust for sending [His] wrath [on the world]? (I am raising a human objection).

5 But if our unrighteousness (e)(G)demonstrates the righteousness of God, (H)what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? ((I)I am speaking in human terms.)

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)

5 But if our unrighteousness highlights(b) God’s righteousness,(G) what are we to say?(H) I use a human argument:(c)(I) Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath?

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to confirm God's righteousness, what can we say? God is not unrighteous when he vents his wrath on us, is he? (I am talking in human terms.)

6 Certainly not, for then how could He judge the world?

6 (J)May it never be! For otherwise, how will (K)God judge the world?

6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

6 Absolutely not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?(J)

6 Of course not! Otherwise, how could God judge the world?

Crowds By The Sea

7 But if my "lie" [i.e., as you Jews call it] would result in God's truthfulness [about you Jews] increasing the honor He receives, why am I also still judged to be a sinner [by you]?

7 But if through my lie (L)the truth of God abounded to His glory, (M)why am I also still being judged as a sinner?

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?

7 But if by my lie God’s truth is amplified to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?(K)

7 For if through my falsehood God's truthfulness glorifies him even more, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?

8 And why should we not say, "Let us do what is wrong so something good will come from it," as some people slanderously claim that we are saying? These people deserve to be condemned.

8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “(N)Let us do evil that good may come”? (f)Their condemnation is just.

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.

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!

8 Or can we say as some people slander us by claiming that we say "Let's do evil that good may result"? They deserve to be condemned!

The Entire World Guilty Of Sin

9 What then? Are we [Jews] any better off [than those Gentiles]? No, not at all, for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] alike are under [the power of] sin,

9 What then? (g)(O)Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both (P)Jews and (Q)Greeks are (R)all under sin;

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;

9 What then? Are we any better?(d) Not at all! For we have previously charged that both Jews(M) and Gentiles(e)(N) are all under sin,(f)(O)

9 What, then, does this mean? Are we Jews any better off? Not at all! For we have already accused everyone, both Jews and Greeks, of being under the power of sin.

10 as it is written [Psa. 14:1ff; 53:1ff], "No one [always] does what is right; not even one person.

10 as it is written,(S)There is none righteous, not even one;

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

10 as it is written:(g)There is no one righteous, not even one.

10 As it is written, "Not even one person is righteous.

11 No one understands [everything]. No one looks to God [all the time].

11 There is none who understands,There is none who seeks for God;

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

11 There is no one who understands;there is no one who seeks God.

11 No one understands. No one searches for God.

12 Everyone has turned away [from God]. All of them have become worthless. No one is [always] kind; no, not even one person."

12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;There is none who does good,There is not even one.”

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

12 All have turned away;all alike have become useless.There is no one who does what is good,not even one.(P)(h)

12 All have turned away. They have become completely worthless. No one shows kindness, not even one person!

Appointing The Twelve Apostles

13 [Psa. 5:9 says], "Their throats are like open graves [i.e., they are foul-mouthed]. They have spoken deceitfully." [Psa. 90:3 says], "There is snake venom under their lips [i.e., their words are deadly]."

13 (T)Their throat is an open grave,With their tongues they keep deceiving,”(U)The poison of asps is under their lips”;

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

13 Their throat is an open grave;they deceive with their tongues.(Q)(i)Vipers’ venom is under their lips.(R)(j)

13 Their throats are open graves. With their tongues they deceive. The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips.

14 [Psa. 10:7 says], "Their speech is full of cursing and bitterness."

14 (V)Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.(S)(k)

14 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.

15 [Isa. 59:7ff says], "Their feet [take them where they] are quick to commit murder.

15 (W)Their feet are swift to shed blood,

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;

15 They run swiftly to shed blood.

16 Their pathways are strewn with ruin and misery [i.e., caused by them].

16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,

16 Ruin and misery characterize their lives.

17 They have not known [how to walk on] a peaceful pathway."

17 And the path of peace they have not known.”

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

17 and the path of peace they have not known.(T)(l)

17 They have not learned the path to peace.

18 [Psa. 36:1 says], "They do not view God with reverence."

18 (X)There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.(U)(m)

18 They don't fear God.

19 Now we [all] know that everything the law says applies to those who are under [obligation to obey] that law, [Note: Here "the law" appears to refer to the Old Testament Scriptures generally, since Psalms and Isaiah are quoted. See verses 10-18]. This is so that the mouth of every objector may be stopped [i.e., from making excuses for his sin], and thereby bring the entire world under God's judgment [i.e., both Jews and Gentiles].

19 Now we know that whatever the (Y)Law says, it speaks to (Z)those who are (h)under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and (AA)all the world may become accountable to God;

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.

19 Now we know that whatever the law says(V) speaks to those who are subject to the law,(n)(W) so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.(o)(X)

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says applies to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

20 This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which "law" is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the law of Moses.

20 because (AB)by the works (i)of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for (j)(AC)through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

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.

20 For no one will be justified(p) in His sight by the works of the law,(Y) because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.(Z)

20 Therefore, God will not justify any human being by means of the actions prescribed by the Law, for through the Law comes the full knowledge of sin.

Righteousness Through Faith Revealed

21 But now [i.e., under the Gospel age], a way of being considered right with God apart from [any] law has been made known. [The writings of] the law [i.e., the Pentateuch] and the prophets bear witness to this.

21 But now apart (k)from the Law (AD)the righteousness of God has been manifested, being (AE)witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

21 But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed(AA)—attested by the Law and the Prophets(q)(AB)

21 But now, apart from the Law, God's righteousness is revealed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets

22 Being considered right with God is [obtained] through faith in Jesus Christ by every person who believes [in Him], for there is no favoritism [with God],

22 even the (AF)righteousness of God through (AG)faith (AH)in Jesus Christ for (AI)all those (l)who believe; for (AJ)there is no distinction;

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:

22 —that is, God’s righteousness through faith(AC) in Jesus Christ,(r)(AD) to all who believe,(AE) since there is no distinction.(AF)

22 God's righteousness through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah for all who believe. For there is no distinction among people,

23 for everyone has sinned and falls short of God's glory [i.e., His approval, or His perfect character].

23 for all (m)(AK)have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

23 For all have sinned(AG) and fall short of the(s) glory of God.

23 since all have sinned and continue to fall short of God's glory.

24 But people are made right with Him as a free gift by His unearned favor, through being bought back [from Satan] by Christ Jesus.

24 being justified as a gift (AL)by His grace through (AM)the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

24 They are justified freely by His grace(AH) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.(AI)

24 By his grace they are justified freely through the redemption that is in the Messiah Jesus,

25 God presented Jesus as the atoning sacrifice [for our sins] through [our] faith in His blood [i.e., His death on the cross]. This was in order to demonstrate His justice when, by using forbearance, He passed over people's sins in previous generations.

25 whom God displayed publicly as (AN)a (n)propitiation (o)(AO)in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, (p)because in the (AP)forbearance of God He (AQ)passed over the sins previously committed;

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;

25 God presented Him as a propitiation(t)(AJ) through faith in His blood,(AK) to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God(AL) passed over the sins previously committed.(AM)

25 whom God offered as a place where atonement by the Messiah's blood would occur through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because he had waited patiently to deal with sins committed in the past.

26 [In doing this] God [also] demonstrated His justice [to people] of this present time, that He Himself is just and the One who makes the people right with Him who have faith in Jesus.

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 (q)has faith in Jesus.

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

26 God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous(u) the one who has faith in Jesus.

26 He wanted to demonstrate at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies anyone who has the faithfulness of Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

27 Where then is the [basis for] boasting [i.e., over being right with God]? There is not any. Is it by [obedience to] a law? Is it by doing certain deeds? Not at all, but by a law of faith.

27 Where then is (AR)boasting? It is excluded. By (AS)what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

27 Where then is boasting?(AN) It is excluded. By what kind of law?(v)(AO) By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law(w) of faith.

27 What, then, is there to boast about? That has been eliminated. On what principle? On that of actions? No, but on the principle of faith.

28 For we conclude that a person is made right with God by faith [in Christ], apart from [obedience to] the requirements of a law [or, the law of Moses, See verse 20].

28 (r)For (AT)we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works (s)of the Law.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

28 For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(AP)

28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the actions prescribed by the Law.

29 Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, [indeed], of the Gentiles also,

29 Or (AU)is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

29 Or is God for Jews only?(AQ) Is He not also for Gentiles? Yes, for Gentiles too,

29 Is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the gentiles, too? Yes, of the gentiles, too,

30 since there is [only] one God, who makes the circumcised ones [i.e., the Jews] right with Him by faith [in Christ] and the uncircumcised ones [i.e., the Gentiles] through faith [in Christ].

30 since indeed (AV)God (AW)who will justify the (t)circumcised (u)by faith and the (v)uncircumcised through faith (AX)is one.

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

30 since there is one God(AR) who will justify the circumcised by faith(AS) and the uncircumcised through faith.

30 since there is only one God who will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised by that same faith.

31 Do we then [intend to] destroy law [observance] because faith [in Christ is now required]? Certainly not! But [instead], we uphold [the validity of] law.

31 Do we then nullify (w)the Law through faith? (AY)May it never be! On the contrary, we (AZ)establish the Law.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

31 Do we then cancel the law through faith? Absolutely not!(AT) On the contrary, we uphold the law.(AU)

31 Do we, then, abolish the Law by this faith? Of course not! Instead, we uphold the Law.

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