The Bible — World English Bible

Romans 3

In brief

Romans 3 is one of the most important chapters of the New Testament. After answering objections, Paul makes an unmistakable diagnosis: Jews and Greeks are all under the power of sin, and the Law serves to make us aware of sin rather than to justify. Then comes the turning point of verse 21: the righteousness of God is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, for all who believe. They are justified freely by grace, through the redemption that is in Christ. No room is left for boasting.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-8The advantage of the Jews and the faithfulness of God
  2. v. 9-20All are under the power of sin
  3. v. 21-26The righteousness of God revealed in Jesus Christ
  4. v. 27-31Justified by faith: no room left for boasting

1Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision?

2Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God.

3For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God?

4May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “that you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment.”

5But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.

6May it never be! For then how will God judge the world?

7For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

8Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let’s do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.

9What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

10As it is written, “There is no one righteous; no, not one.

11There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God.

12They have all turned away. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.”

13“Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” “The poison of vipers is under their lips.”

14“Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”

15“Their feet are swift to shed blood.

16Destruction and misery are in their ways.

17The way of peace, they haven’t known.”

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

19Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.

20Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

21But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;

22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,

23for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

24being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

25whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance;

26to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

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

28We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

29Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

30since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.

31Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.

Key verses

Verse 10
As it is written, “There is no one righteous; no, not one.

Paul quotes the Old Testament to show that no one is righteous before God. This finding prepares the need for a salvation that does not come from us.

Verse 23
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

A much-quoted verse: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It speaks to Jews and non-Jews alike, without distinction.

Verse 24
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

The word justified belongs to the vocabulary of the courtroom: God declares righteous, freely, by his grace. Redemption evokes the price paid to set free.

Verse 25-26
whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Paul explains that God presented Jesus in his death to show his righteousness, so as to be just while justifying the one who has faith in Jesus. Christian traditions interpret the word propitiation with different nuances, but all see in it the work of Christ on the cross.

Verse 28
We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Paul's summary of his teaching: a person is justified by faith, apart from works of the Law. This verse stood at the center of the Protestant Reformation.

What the sermons say

Frequently asked questions about Romans 3

What does justified mean in Romans 3?

To be justified is to be declared righteous before God, like a verdict in a courtroom. Paul explains that this verdict is not obtained by our efforts or by the Law, but given freely by God's grace to whoever believes in Jesus Christ. Believers are thus received before God on the basis of what Christ has done.

What does Romans 3:23 mean?

The verse says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It does not target one category of people: Jews and non-Jews are both included. It describes a state of separation from God that no one can remedy alone, and this is what makes the gospel necessary.

What does propitiation mean in Romans 3:25?

The word refers to the sacrifice by which God's wrath against sin is satisfied, or, in other translations, the place where sin is atoned for. Theologians discuss the nuance, but all see in this verse the death of Jesus as the event through which God shows his righteousness and forgives.

Does Romans 3 say the Law is useless?

No. In verse 31, Paul answers that faith does not destroy the Law but upholds it. The Law serves to make sin known (verse 20) and to show that we cannot be justified by our own works. It cannot save, but it prepares us to receive grace.

Articles quoting Romans 3

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World English Bible translation — public domain.