Romans 3
- 1
What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Begin Abide·
- 2
Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. Begin Abide·
- 3
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Begin Abide·
- 4
Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.” Begin Abide·
- 5
But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. Begin Abide·
- 6
Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world? Begin Abide·
- 7
However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? Begin Abide·
- 8
Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved! Begin Abide·
- 9
What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. Begin Abide·
- 10
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. Begin Abide·
- 11
There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. Begin Abide·
- 12
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Begin Abide·
- 13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” Begin Abide·
- 14
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” Begin Abide·
- 15
“Their feet are swift to shed blood; Begin Abide·
- 16
ruin and misery lie in their wake, Begin Abide·
- 17
and the way of peace they have not known.” Begin Abide·
- 18
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Begin Abide·
- 19
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Begin Abide·
- 20
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. Begin Abide·
- 21
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. Begin Abide·
- 22
And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, Begin Abide·
- 23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Begin Abide·
- 24
and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Begin Abide·
- 25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. Begin Abide·
- 26
He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. Begin Abide·
- 27
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. Begin Abide·
- 28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Begin Abide·
- 29
Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, Begin Abide·
- 30
since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Begin Abide·
- 31
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law. Begin Abide·