Romans 3
1
Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?
2
Much in every way. To begin with, x the Jews were entrusted with y the oracles of God.
3
z What if some were unfaithful? a Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?
4
By no means! b Let God be true though c every one were a liar, as it is written,
d "That you may be justified in your words,
and prevail when you e are judged."
5
But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict f wrath on us? ( g I speak in a human way.)
6
By no means! For then how could h God judge the world?
7
But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, i why am I still being condemned as a sinner?
8
And why not j do evil that good may come? - as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.
9
What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both k Jews and l Greeks, are m under sin,
10
as it is written:
n "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
o "Their throat is p an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive."
q "The venom of asps is under their lips."
14
r "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness."
15
s "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16
in their paths are ruin and misery,
17
and t the way of peace they have not known."
18
u "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
19
Now we know that whatever v the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, w so that every mouth may be stopped, and x the whole world may be held accountable to God.
20
For y by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since z through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21
But now a the righteousness of God b has been manifested apart from the law, although c the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it -
22
the righteousness of God d through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. e For there is no distinction:
23
for f all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24
g and are justified h by his grace as a gift, i through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25
whom God j put forward as k a propitiation l by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in m his divine forbearance he had passed over n 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
o 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 p apart from works of the law.
29
Or q is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
30
since r God is one - who will justify the circumcised by faith and s the uncircumcised through faith.
31
Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:8
And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
Psalms 147:19 - 20
He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
John 4:22
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
-
Cross References
Acts 7:38
This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.
-
Cross References
Romans 10:16
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?
Hebrews 4:2
For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
-
Cross References
Romans 9:6
But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.
2 Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself.
-
Cross References
John 8:26
I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.
-
Cross References
Psalms 62:9
Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
Psalms 116:11
I said in my alarm, "All mankind are liars.
Romans 3:7
But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?
-
Cross References
Psalms 51:4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
-
Cross References
Job 9:32
For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together.
-
Cross References
Psalms 51:4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
-
Cross References
Romans 2:5
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
-
Cross References
Romans 6:19
I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
1 Corinthians 9:8
Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?
Galatians 3:15
To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.
1 Corinthians 15:32
What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
-
Cross References
Genesis 18:25
Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?
Job 8:3
Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
Romans 2:16
On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
-
Cross References
Romans 9:19
You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?
-
Cross References
Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
Romans 6:15
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
-
Cross References
Romans 2:1 - 29
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
-
Cross References
Romans 1:18 - 32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
-
Cross References
Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Romans 3:19
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 11:32
For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, "I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"?
-
Cross References
Romans 3:10 - 12
As it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one.
Psalms 14:1 - 3
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
Psalms 53:1 - 3
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
-
Cross References
Psalms 14:1 - 3
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
Psalms 53:1 - 3
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
-
Cross References
Psalms 5:9
For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
-
Cross References
Jeremiah 5:16
Their quiver is like an open tomb; they are all mighty warriors.
-
Cross References
Psalms 140:3
They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah
-
Cross References
Psalms 5:9
For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
-
Cross References
Psalms 140:3
They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah
-
Cross References
Psalms 10:7
His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
-
Cross References
Psalms 10:7
His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
-
Cross References
Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
Romans 3:15 - 17
Their feet are swift to shed blood.
Isaiah 59:7 - 8
Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways.
-
Cross References
Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
Proverbs 3:15 - 17
She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Isaiah 59:7 - 8
Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways.
-
Cross References
Luke 1:79
To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
-
Cross References
Psalms 36:1
Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.
-
Cross References
Psalms 36:1
Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.
-
Cross References
John 10:34
Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'?
John 15:25
But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated me without a cause.
-
Cross References
Job 5:16
So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her ...
Psalms 63:11
But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swea...
Psalms 107:42
The upright see it and are glad, and all wicked...
Ezekiel 16:63
That you may remember and be confounded, and ne...
Romans 1:20
For his invisible attributes, namely, his etern...
Romans 2:1
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one ...
-
Cross References
Romans 3:9
What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin.
-
Cross References
Galatians 2:16
Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Psalms 143:2
Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
Acts 13:39
And by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
-
Cross References
Romans 7:7
What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet.
Romans 4:15
For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
Romans 5:13
For sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.
Romans 5:20
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.
-
Cross References
Romans 1:17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.
-
Cross References
Romans 16:26
But has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith -
2 Timothy 1:10
And which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
-
Cross References
Acts 10:43
To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Romans 1:2
Which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.
John 5:46
For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.
-
Cross References
Romans 4:5
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:15
And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
-
Cross References
Romans 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
-
Cross References
Romans 3:9
What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin.
-
Cross References
Titus 3:7
So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
-
Cross References
Romans 4:4 - 5
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
Romans 4:16
That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring - not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
Acts 15:11
But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.
-
Cross References
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
Colossians 1:14
In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 9:15
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
1 Corinthians 1:30
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
-
Cross References
Ephesians 1:9
Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
-
Cross References
1 John 2:2
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
-
Cross References
Romans 5:9
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
-
Cross References
Romans 2:4
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
-
Cross References
Acts 17:30
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
-
Cross References
Romans 2:17
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the ...
Romans 2:23
You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaki...
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has s...
1 Corinthians 1:29 - 31
So that no human being might boast in the prese...
Ephesians 2:9
Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
2 Timothy 1:9
Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, n...
Acts 13:39
And by him everyone who believes is freed from ...
-
Cross References
James 2:18
But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
-
Cross References
Romans 9:24
Even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
Romans 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
Romans 15:9
And in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.
-
Cross References
Galatians 3:20
Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.
Romans 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
-
Cross References
Galatians 3:8
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed.
Romans 4:9
Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.
Romans 2:26
So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.