Romans

Romans 3

Then What Advantage Has the Jew?

1 What then is the Jew’s advantage, or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. First of all, that they were entrusted with the words of God. 3 For what? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be true and every person a liar, just as it is written:

“So that you may be proved righteous in your words

and prevail when you are judged.”

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates God’s righteousness, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous, the one who brings on the wrath? I am speaking in a human way. 6 May it never be! Otherwise how will God judge the world? 7 But if the truth of God abounded to his glory by my lie, why am I still also judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, as we are spoken evil of and as some claim we say, “Let us do the evil things so that the good things may come”? Their judgment is deserved.

There Is No One Righteous

9 What then? Are we better off? Not at all; for we have already charged that Jews and Greeks are all under sin, 10 as it is written:

“There is no righteous one, not even one;

11 there is no one who understands;

there is no one who seeks God.

12 Everyone turned aside; together they became useless.

No one shows kindness—not even one.

13 Their throat is an open tomb;

they deceived with their tongues.

The venom of snakes is beneath their lips.

14 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood.

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways,

17 and they have not known the way of peace.

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

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those in the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become answerable to God; 20 because out of works of law no flesh will be set right before him, for through law comes knowledge of sin.

God’s Righteousness Made Plain

21 But now, apart from law, God’s righteousness has been made plain, testified to by the law and the prophets — 22 God’s righteousness through faith of Jesus Christ, to all who trust. For there is no distinction: 23 for all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being set right freely by his favor through the ransoming that is in Christ Jesus,

25 whom God set forth as a place of atonement, through faith, in his blood — for a demonstration of his righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins committed beforehand 26 in the forbearance of God; for the demonstration of his righteousness in the present time, so that he may be righteous and the one who sets right the one who is of the faith of Jesus.

Where Then Is the Boasting?

27 Where then is the boasting? It was shut out. Through what kind of law? Of works? No, but through a law of faith. 28 For we count that a person is set right by faith apart from works of law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not also of the nations? Yes, of the nations also, 30 since God is one, who will set right the circumcision out of faith and the uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then nullify law through faith? May it never be! Rather, we uphold law.