Thematic Bible
Romans 3:1 (show verse)
What advantage then does the Jew have [i.e., over the Gentile]? Or what value is there in circumcision?
Romans 3:2 (show verse)
Much in every way! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the messages of God [i.e., their prophets received divine revelations].
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Church » Design of
Church of israel » The depository of holy writ
Jews, the » Their national privileges
Oracle » The scriptures are called "oracles,"
The scriptures » Are called the » Oracles of God
The scriptures » Advantage of possessing
The word of God » Called » Oracles of God
Church » Design of
Church of israel » The depository of holy writ
Jews, the » Their national privileges
Oracle » The scriptures are called "oracles,"
The scriptures » Are called the » Oracles of God
The scriptures » Advantage of possessing
The word of God » Called » Oracles of God
Romans 3:3 (show verse)
But what if some [of the Jews] were unfaithful? Does their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? Certainly not!
Romans 3:4 (show verse)
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."
Romans 3:5 (show verse)
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).
Romans 3:6 (show verse)
Certainly not, for then how could He judge the world?
Romans 3:7 (show verse)
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]?
Romans 3:8 (show verse)
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.
Romans 3:9 (show verse)
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,
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Gentiles » Comprehend all nations except the jews
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles being under sin
Greece » Inhabitants of » Called "gentiles" (non-jews)
Israel/jews » Jews being under sin
The law of God » All men have transgressed
Sin » There not being a single person who does not sin
Sin » Who is a sinner
The fruit of righteousness » Those that do not do righteousness
The goodness of the lord » There being none that do good
Gentiles » Comprehend all nations except the jews
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles being under sin
Greece » Inhabitants of » Called "gentiles" (non-jews)
Israel/jews » Jews being under sin
The law of God » All men have transgressed
Sin » There not being a single person who does not sin
Sin » Who is a sinner
The fruit of righteousness » Those that do not do righteousness
The goodness of the lord » There being none that do good
Romans 3:10 (show verse)
as it is written [Psa. 14:1ff; 53:1ff], "No one [always] does what is right; not even one person.
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Unrighteous
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles being under sin
Israel/jews » Jews being under sin
The law of God » Man cannot render perfect obedience to
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Righteousness » None, by nature have
Sin » There not being a single person who does not sin
Sin » Who is a sinner
The fruit of righteousness » Those that do not do righteousness
The goodness of the lord » There being none that do good
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Unrighteous
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles being under sin
Israel/jews » Jews being under sin
The law of God » Man cannot render perfect obedience to
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Righteousness » None, by nature have
Sin » There not being a single person who does not sin
Sin » Who is a sinner
The fruit of righteousness » Those that do not do righteousness
The goodness of the lord » There being none that do good
Romans 3:11 (show verse)
No one understands [everything]. No one looks to God [all the time].
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Dullness » Condemned
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles being under sin
Israel/jews » Jews being under sin
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Seeking God » None, by nature, are found to be engaged in
Sin » There not being a single person who does not sin
Sin » Who is a sinner
Spiritual » Desire select readings, psalms 42; 84 » Dullness, condemned
The fruit of righteousness » Those that do not do righteousness
The goodness of the lord » There being none that do good
Dullness » Condemned
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles being under sin
Israel/jews » Jews being under sin
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Seeking God » None, by nature, are found to be engaged in
Sin » There not being a single person who does not sin
Sin » Who is a sinner
Spiritual » Desire select readings, psalms 42; 84 » Dullness, condemned
The fruit of righteousness » Those that do not do righteousness
The goodness of the lord » There being none that do good
Romans 3:12 (show verse)
Everyone has turned away [from God]. All of them have become worthless. No one is [always] kind; no, not even one person."
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Character » Of the wicked » Unprofitable
Character of the wicked » Unprofitable
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt and perverse in his ways
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles being under sin
Israel/jews » Jews being under sin
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Sin » There not being a single person who does not sin
Sin » Who is a sinner
The fruit of righteousness » Those that do not do righteousness
The goodness of the lord » There being none that do good
Character » Of the wicked » Unprofitable
Character of the wicked » Unprofitable
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt and perverse in his ways
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles being under sin
Israel/jews » Jews being under sin
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Sin » There not being a single person who does not sin
Sin » Who is a sinner
The fruit of righteousness » Those that do not do righteousness
The goodness of the lord » There being none that do good
Romans 3:13 (show verse)
[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]."
Asp » A venomous serpent
Asp » Venom of, illustrates the speech of the wicked
or adder Asp » (venom of), of the speech of the wicked
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Character » Of the wicked » Deceitful
Character of the wicked » Deceitful
Deceit » The wicked full of » The prevalence of
Deceit » The tongue, the instrument of
Deceit » The tongue is an instrument of
Evil » Speech evil speaking » General references to
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt and perverse in his ways
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt &c in speech
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Speaking, evil » General references to
Speech » Evil, general references to
Asp » Venom of, illustrates the speech of the wicked
or adder Asp » (venom of), of the speech of the wicked
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Character » Of the wicked » Deceitful
Character of the wicked » Deceitful
Deceit » The wicked full of » The prevalence of
Deceit » The tongue, the instrument of
Deceit » The tongue is an instrument of
Evil » Speech evil speaking » General references to
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt and perverse in his ways
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt &c in speech
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Speaking, evil » General references to
Speech » Evil, general references to
Romans 3:14 (show verse)
[Psa. 10:7 says], "Their speech is full of cursing and bitterness."
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Crime » Partial lists of
Cursing » General references to
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt and perverse in his ways
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt &c in speech
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
profane Swearing » The wicked » Addicted to
Crime » Partial lists of
Cursing » General references to
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt and perverse in his ways
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt &c in speech
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
profane Swearing » The wicked » Addicted to
Romans 3:15 (show verse)
[Isa. 59:7ff says], "Their feet [take them where they] are quick to commit murder.
Activity » Evil » General references to
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Crime » Partial lists of
Evil » Activity » General references to
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt and perverse in his ways
Feet » People found at Christ's » Of the wicked
Feet » Of the wicked » Swift to shed blood
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Murder » The wicked » Swift to commit
The wicked » Devices of » Feet of
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Crime » Partial lists of
Evil » Activity » General references to
Fall of man » Man in consequence of » Corrupt and perverse in his ways
Feet » People found at Christ's » Of the wicked
Feet » Of the wicked » Swift to shed blood
Eternal life » Cannot be inherited by works
Murder » The wicked » Swift to commit
The wicked » Devices of » Feet of
Romans 3:16 (show verse)
Their pathways are strewn with ruin and misery [i.e., caused by them].
Romans 3:17 (show verse)
They have not known [how to walk on] a peaceful pathway."
Romans 3:18 (show verse)
[Psa. 36:1 says], "They do not view God with reverence."
Romans 3:19 (show verse)
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].
Romans 3:20 (show verse)
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.
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Catholicity » Inculcated
Deeds » The deeds of the law
Good » Works encouraged » Insufficient to secure salvation
Justification » Of self, impossible
Justification » What you are not justified by
Justification before God » Under the law » Man cannot attain to
Law » What the law is
Law » Bondage of » Purpose of
Law » What the law cannot do
The law of God » Man cannot be justified by
The law of God » Gives the knowledge of sin
Man » Cannot be just with God
Purpose » Of law
Righteousness » No justification by works of
Sin » The law » Gives knowledge of
religious Work » Examples of » Insufficient to secure salvation
Works, good » Encouraged » Insufficient to secure salvation
Works, good » Justification unattainable by
Catholicity » Inculcated
Deeds » The deeds of the law
Good » Works encouraged » Insufficient to secure salvation
Justification » Of self, impossible
Justification » What you are not justified by
Justification before God » Under the law » Man cannot attain to
Law » What the law is
Law » Bondage of » Purpose of
Law » What the law cannot do
The law of God » Man cannot be justified by
The law of God » Gives the knowledge of sin
Man » Cannot be just with God
Purpose » Of law
Righteousness » No justification by works of
Sin » The law » Gives knowledge of
religious Work » Examples of » Insufficient to secure salvation
Works, good » Encouraged » Insufficient to secure salvation
Works, good » Justification unattainable by
Romans 3:21 (show verse)
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.
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Catholicity » Inculcated
Faith » Through it is » Justification
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles and jews being equal in Christ
Israel/jews » Jews and gentiles being equal in Christ
Law » Prophecies in, of the messiah
Righteousness imputed » Described as » The righteousness of God, without the law
The fruit of righteousness » The righteousness of the lord
Catholicity » Inculcated
Faith » Through it is » Justification
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles and jews being equal in Christ
Israel/jews » Jews and gentiles being equal in Christ
Law » Prophecies in, of the messiah
Righteousness imputed » Described as » The righteousness of God, without the law
The fruit of righteousness » The righteousness of the lord
Romans 3:22 (show verse)
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],
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
Catholicity » Inculcated
Faith » Through it is » Justification
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles and jews being equal in Christ
Israel/jews » Jews and gentiles being equal in Christ
Justification before God » Under the gospel » By imputation of Christ's righteousness
Law » Prophecies in, of the messiah
Righteousness imputed » Described as » The righteousness of God by faith in Christ
The fruit of righteousness » The righteousness of the lord
Catholicity » Inculcated
Faith » Through it is » Justification
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Gentiles/heathen » Gentiles and jews being equal in Christ
Israel/jews » Jews and gentiles being equal in Christ
Justification before God » Under the gospel » By imputation of Christ's righteousness
Law » Prophecies in, of the messiah
Righteousness imputed » Described as » The righteousness of God by faith in Christ
The fruit of righteousness » The righteousness of the lord
Romans 3:23 (show verse)
for everyone has sinned and falls short of God's glory [i.e., His approval, or His perfect character].
Romans 3:24 (show verse)
But people are made right with Him as a free gift by His unearned favor, through being bought back [from Satan] by Christ Jesus.
Catholicity » Inculcated
Christ » Received » Redemption through
Grace » Growth in » Salvation by
Grace » Of Christ » Salvation by
Grace » Is the source of » Justification
Jesus Christ » Names of » Christ jesus
Justification » Justification coming by jesus Christ
Justification before God » Under the gospel » Is of grace
Man » Redemption of » Through Christ
Redemption » God the author of » Through Christ
Redemption » Procures for us » Justification
Rome » Justification by faith in jesus Christ
Salvation » By faith » By grace
Salvation » Conditions of » Free
Sinners » Conditions of » Free
Christ » Received » Redemption through
Grace » Growth in » Salvation by
Grace » Of Christ » Salvation by
Grace » Is the source of » Justification
Jesus Christ » Names of » Christ jesus
Justification » Justification coming by jesus Christ
Justification before God » Under the gospel » Is of grace
Man » Redemption of » Through Christ
Redemption » God the author of » Through Christ
Redemption » Procures for us » Justification
Rome » Justification by faith in jesus Christ
Salvation » By faith » By grace
Salvation » Conditions of » Free
Sinners » Conditions of » Free
Romans 3:25 (show verse)
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.
Anger of God » Is averted from them that believe
The atonement » Remission of sins by
The atonement » Foreordained
The atonement » Faith in, indispensable
The atonement » Reconciles the justice and mercy of God
Catholicity » Inculcated
Faith » Through it is » Remission of sins
Forbearance » Divine
God » Pillar of » Forbearance of
Longsuffering Of God » Exhibited in forgiving sins
Mercy-seat » Illustrative of » Christ
Pardon » Is granted » Through the blood of Christ
Pardon » Exhibits the » Forbearance of God
Propitiation » Expiation, sin-offering
God, Righteousness Of » Exhibited in » The gospel
Sin » For punishments, ancient modes of reacts » Remission of
Types of Christ » Mercy-seat
The atonement » Remission of sins by
The atonement » Foreordained
The atonement » Faith in, indispensable
The atonement » Reconciles the justice and mercy of God
Catholicity » Inculcated
Faith » Through it is » Remission of sins
Forbearance » Divine
God » Pillar of » Forbearance of
Longsuffering Of God » Exhibited in forgiving sins
Mercy-seat » Illustrative of » Christ
Pardon » Is granted » Through the blood of Christ
Pardon » Exhibits the » Forbearance of God
Propitiation » Expiation, sin-offering
God, Righteousness Of » Exhibited in » The gospel
Sin » For punishments, ancient modes of reacts » Remission of
Types of Christ » Mercy-seat
Romans 3:26 (show verse)
[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.
Romans 3:27 (show verse)
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.
Romans 3:28 (show verse)
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].
Catholicity » Inculcated
Faith » Through it is » Justification
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by faith
Justification » By faith
Justification » What you are justified by
Justification before God » Under the gospel » Is not of faith and works united
Law » Who establishes the law
The law of God » Man cannot be justified by
Righteousness » Death of seed of » Secured by faith
Faith » Through it is » Justification
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by faith
Justification » By faith
Justification » What you are justified by
Justification before God » Under the gospel » Is not of faith and works united
Law » Who establishes the law
The law of God » Man cannot be justified by
Righteousness » Death of seed of » Secured by faith
Romans 3:29 (show verse)
Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, [indeed], of the Gentiles also,
Catholicity » Inculcated
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by faith
Father » Universal
Gentiles/heathen » The lord being the God of the gentiles/heathen
God » Fatherhood of » God spoken of as the father of all men
Heavenly » Father » God spoken of as the father of all men
Justification » What you are justified by
Law » Who establishes the law
Universal » Blessing, possible » God spoken of as the father of all men
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by faith
Father » Universal
Gentiles/heathen » The lord being the God of the gentiles/heathen
God » Fatherhood of » God spoken of as the father of all men
Heavenly » Father » God spoken of as the father of all men
Justification » What you are justified by
Law » Who establishes the law
Universal » Blessing, possible » God spoken of as the father of all men
Romans 3:30 (show verse)
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].
Catholicity » Inculcated
Circumcision » Abrogated
Circumcision » The name sometimes given to the jews
Circumcision » Without faith, vain
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by faith
Gentiles/heathen » The lord being the God of the gentiles/heathen
Justification » What you are justified by
Justification before God » Under the gospel » Is by faith alone
Justification before God » By faith » Does not make void the law
Law » Who establishes the law
Circumcision » Abrogated
Circumcision » The name sometimes given to the jews
Circumcision » Without faith, vain
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by faith
Gentiles/heathen » The lord being the God of the gentiles/heathen
Justification » What you are justified by
Justification before God » Under the gospel » Is by faith alone
Justification before God » By faith » Does not make void the law
Law » Who establishes the law
Romans 3:31 (show verse)
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.