Preface:

Bible Summary: The Jews were given the oracles of God. But no one is justified by the law. All have sinned and are justified through faith in Jesus.

This should be the most extensive examination of Romans 3 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Brief Overview:

Outline of Chapter 3:

Preface

Introduction

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Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               Brief Overview

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Romans 3 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Romans 3 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Romans 3

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel to Romans 3

         Introduction         The Principals of Romans 3

         Introduction         The Places of Romans 3

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Romans 3

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Romans 3 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Romans 3 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

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         Introduction         The Big Picture (Romans –)

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         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

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         v.      13              The Additional text of Psalm 13:3 from the Septuagint

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         v.      18              High School Students 1962 and 2022 (a meme)

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         v.      25              The Mercy Seat and Ark (a graphic)

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Romans 3 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Romans 3

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Romans 3

         Summary            A Brief Review of Romans 3

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum          Thayer on Heôs (G2193)

         Addendum          The Slave Market of Sin (by R. B. Thieme, Jr.)

         Addendum          The Blood of Christ (by R. B. Thieme, Jr.)

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         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Romans 3

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Romans 3

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Romans 3

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Romans 3

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An Introduction to Romans 3

I ntroduction: Romans 3 is all about the Law, about faith, about gentiles and about Jews. But most of all, it is about righteousness and it deals with the question, how is a man declared righteous? What is the Law to Jews and gentiles; what is righteousness to Jews and gentiles? How does God figure into all of this?

First Paul deals with the advantage of being Jewish, and there are certainly advantages here. But, it is also clear that the Jews have been unfaithful at various points in their history. How should we understand that? Romans 3:1–8.

Even though there are advantages in having been born a Jew, are they any better off when standing before God? Do Jews have more of an in with God? If God is looking at a person, and maybe He will accept them and maybe not; will being a Jew be enough to push someone over that line? The Scriptures tell us that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. Romans 3:9–20.

Then Paul gives us a short summary of God, the Jew and the gentile, of being declared righteous, of faith and of the Law. Romans 3:21–31.

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Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    What, therefore, [is] the excellence of the Judæan? Or what [is] the benefit of the circumcision? The [advantages are] many, in every way. For first indeed [is] that they have been entrusted [with] the oracles of the God.

Complete Apostles’ Bible      What then is the superiority of the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

Much in every way! First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) What advantage then hath the Jew: or what is the profit of circumcision?

Much every way. First indeed, because the words of God were committed to them.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        .

Original Aramaic NT              What therefore is the excellence of the Jews, or what is the advantage of circumcision?

Much in everything; first, that they were entrusted with the words of God.

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             How then is the Jew better off? or what profit is there in circumcision? 

Much in every way: first of all because the words of God were given to them.

Bible in Worldwide English     Then what does a Jew have that others do not have? Or what good is it if a person has been circumcised?

It is much better in every way. First, Gods law was given to the Jews.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  So, do Jews have anything that others don't have? Do they get any benefit from being circumcised? Yes, the Jews have many benefits. The most important one is this: God trusted the Jews with his teachings.

God’s Word™                         Is there any advantage, then, in being a Jew? Or is there any value in being circumcised?

There are all kinds of advantages. First of all, God entrusted them with his word.

Good News Bible (TEV)         Do the Jews then have any advantage over the Gentiles? Or is there any value in being circumcised?

Much, indeed, in every way! In the first place, God trusted his message to the Jews.

J. B. Phillips                           .

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

Radiant New Testament        .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              .

Contemporary English V.       What good is it to be a Jew? What good is it to be circumcised?

It is good in a lot of ways! First of all, God's messages were spoken to the Jews.

Goodspeed New Testament  .

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        So then what is the importance of circumcision, and what advantage is there of being a Jew?  Actually, there are numerous advantages. Most important, God distinguished the Jews from all other people by entrusting them with the revelation of his prophetic promises.

Plain English Version             .

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Someone might say then, "If that is true, then it appears that there is no advantage to be a Jew over a non- Jew, and being circumcised does not benefit us Jews at all."  

But I tell you that being Jews has many benefits. First of all because it was to their ancestors that God spoke his words, words that show us who he is.

Williams’ New Testament      What special privilege, then, has a Jew? Or, what benefit does circumcision confer?

They are great from every point of view. In the first place, the Jews are entrusted with the utterances of God.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            So what is the much better quality of the Jewish person? Or what is the benefit of the circumcision? There is much in every way. You see, first is certainly that they were trusted with the utterances of God.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           So what advantage has the Jew, or what profit is there in circumcision? Much in every way, foremost because the utterances of God were committed to them.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles What is the pre-eminence of the Jew, then? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much, in every respect: chiefly, indeed, because they were entrusted with the Oracles of God.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament What is the advantage, then, of being a Jew? or what is the good of circumcision? Great in every way. First of all, because the Jews were entrusted with God's utterances.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                .

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  . Place a footnote here

Free Bible Version                 So does a Jew have any advantage? Does circumcision have any benefits?

Yes, there are many benefits! First of all, God’s message was entrusted to them.

International Standard V        Everyone is a Sinner

What advantage, then, does the Jew have, or what value is there in circumcision?

There are all kinds of advantages! First of all, the Jews [Lit. they] have been entrusted with the utterances of God.

Lexham Bible                         Jews Still Have an Advantage

Therefore, what is the advantage of the Jew, or what is the use of circumcision?

Much in every way. For first, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Montgomery NT                     .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      .

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      .

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    .

Urim-Thummim Version         What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Much every way: chiefly, because that to them was entrusted The Divine Oracle [Urim- Thummim] of Elohim.

Weymouth New Testament    What special privilege, then, has a Jew? Or what benefit is to be derived from circumcision?

The privilege is great from every point of view. First of all, because the Jews were entrusted with God's truth.

Wikipedia Bible Project          So what advantage does a Jew have? What is the benefit of circumcision?

Lots—in many ways! First of all, they were entrusted with God’s words.

Worsley’s New Testament    .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New Catholic Bible                 .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

Hebraic Roots Bible               What then is the superiority of the Jew? Or what is the profit of circumcision?

Much in every way. For first indeed, that they were entrusted with the words of YAHWEH.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    So what does a Jew have that a non-Jew doesn’t have? What good is circumcision? It is worth much in many ways! First, Jews were entrusted with messages from God.

The Scriptures 2009              What then is the advantage of the Yehu?i, or what is the value of the circumcision? 

Much in every way! Because firstly indeed, that they were entrusted with the Words of Elohim.^a

^aSee Romans 2:20.

Tree of Life Version                .

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...What? so {is} The [Thing] Much [of] the jew or Who? {is} The Profit [of] the circumcision [It] Much {is} in every way firstly certainly for for [They] are believed the words [of] the god...

Alpha & Omega Bible            THEN WHAT ADVANTAGE HAS THE JEW? OR WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF CIRCUMCISION?

GREAT IN EVERY RESPECT. FIRST OF ALL, THAT THEY WERE ENTRUSTED WITH THE ORACLES OF THEOS (The Alpha & Omega).

Awful Scroll Bible                   What is the advantage then of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of cutting-around? Much along every turning! Chiefly surely, for that they are being consigned to the Utterances of God.

Concordant Literal Version    What, then, is the prerogative of the Jew, or what the benefit of circumcision?

Much in every manner. For first, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God."

exeGeses companion Bible   THE SUPERABUNDANCE OF THE YAH HUDIY

So what superabundance has the Yah Hudiy?

Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

Much every manner:

first indeed,

because the oracles of Elohim were entrusted to them.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

Orthodox Jewish Bible           What then is the advantage of the Yehudi? Or what is the value of the bris milah?

Much in every way! For, koidem kol (in the first place), they are entrusted with the Divrei Hashem (the oracles, the words of G-d).

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. Whatˎ thenˎ is the preëminence of the Jew?

Or whatˎ the profit of his circumcision?

Muchˎ everyʹ way:—

||First|| indeedˎ that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   What advantage then does the Jew have [i.e., over the Gentile]? Or what value is there in circumcision?

Much in every way! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the messages of God [i.e., their prophets received divine revelations].

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       What, therefore, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the profit of circumcision?

Much, in every way! Most important, to be sure, is that they [Israel] were entrusted with the oracles of God.

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             What then [is] the advantage (the thing given by the surplus of abundance which results in pre-eminence, prerogative and superiority) of the Jew, or what [is] the furthering benefit of the circumcision?

Much, in accord with every turn (i.e., from every angle, or, in every way), for first [of all] (or: in the first place; foremost; mainly), indeed, that they were (or: are) entrusted with God’s brief utterances (little words; [note: the diminutive of Logos; often translated: “oracles”]).

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         .

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         The Blessings of Being a Jew-And the Problem That Jews Share with All of Humanity
Given all this,^a what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Or what’s the benefit of circumcision?^b

It’s a great benefit in every way! In the first place, the Jews have been entrusted with God’s revelations.^c

a.Lit. “So” or “Therefore.”

b.See “Bible Words.”

c.Lit. “with the oracles of God.”

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Advantage
So what advantage does the Jew have, or what is the profit of circumcision?

Much in every way!¹ First of all, because they were entrusted with the oracles of God.²

(1) For a fuller list of the advantages, see 9:1-5.

(2) Job was written by a pre-Jew, but all the rest of the Old Testament, which is what Paul is referring to, was written by Jews. For that matter, all the books of the New Testament were also written by Jews (with the possible exception of Luke).

WEB — Messianic Edition       .

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  What then is the advantage of the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 

Much in every way. Primarily, in that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Analytical-Literal Translation  What then [is] the advantage of the Jew? Or what [is] the benefit of circumcision?

Much in every way! For indeed first that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Berean Literal Bible                .

Bill Puryear translation           Therefore, what [is] the advantage to the Jew? Or what [is] the benefit of circumcision?

Much in every way. For example, in the first place because they were entrusted with the teachings from God.

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             What then is the superior privilege of the Jew, or what the advantage of circumcision?

Much every way. First indeed that they were intrusted with the oracles of God.

Context Group Version          What advantage then has the Judean? Or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way: first of all, because they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       What, then, is special about the Jew? Or what is the benefit to the circumcision?

Much in every respect. Firstly, then, because the oracles of God were entrusted to him.

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Holy Bible Improved Edition   .

James Allen translation          .

Legacy Standard Bible           .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  Therefore what is the supremacy of the Jew? Or what is the profit of circumcision?

Much, according-to every manner! For* indeed, first, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

New Matthew Bible                .

NT (Variant Readings)           .

Niobi Study Bible                   God's Judgment Defended; Justification by Faith, Not by the Law What advantage then has the Jew? Or what profit is there in circumcision? Much in every way; chiefly because unto them were committed the oracles of God.

R. B. Thieme, Jr. translation  What therefore is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit from circumcision?

Much in every way: for in the first place since they [the Jews] were entrusted with the doctrines from God.

R. B. Thieme, Jr. trans2         What therefore is the extraordinary more than sufficient advantage or preeminence of the Jew? Or what profit, advantage or benefit is there from circumcision? Much in every way. For since in the first place, because unto the true regenerate Jews, are entrusted the doctrines of the Old Testament Scripture from the God.

Revised Geneva Translation  .

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      What, then, is the superiority of the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

Much in every way: chiefly because they were entrusted with the Words of God.

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         .

The gist of this passage:     Paul asks if there is any advantage to being a Jew or to circumcision. Then, in v. 2, he begins to answer these questions.

Translation: What, therefore, [is] the advantage of the Jew?

In the previous chapter, Paul has really gone after the Jews at the Roman church. “You teach that you shouldn’t do thus and so; but then you just turn around and do thus and so. You hold to the Law, but then you take a point of view that appears to set aside the Law.”

Paul hit them so hard, that he needs to go back and look at this from a different vantage point.

What Paul is going to say is as much for the gentiles in Rome as it is the for Jews.

Paul asks straight out, “Based upon what I just said in the previous chapter, is there any advantage to being a Jew?”

Translation: Or what [is] the benefit of the circumcision?

Paul has, in the final verses of Romans 2, explored the idea of circumcision. He concluded, “If you are not following the Law, your circumcision means nothing! And if gentiles, by nature, do the things of the Law, can’t their uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?”

Based upon the final verses of Romans 2, it does not appear that there is any advantage to being born a Jew.

Romans 3:1 What, therefore, [is] the advantage of the Jew? Or what [is] the benefit of the circumcision? (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: [There are] many [advantages] in every way.

So Paul comes back and explains what he just said. “Listen, I know that I was hard on you Jews in the previous chapter, but you have many advatanges having been born a Jew. Let’s not discount those advantages.”

Translation: For indeed first [is] that they have been entrusted [with] the words of the God. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Paul then give the first and most important advantage. Every born again person needs to pay attention to this. The Jews were given the oracles of God. The Jews were given the words of God (which words make up the Old Testament). Nothing can be more important than that.

This should help you determine your own personal scale of values of your own personal assets. What is #1? The Word of God! (I am speaking to believers here; just as Paul is writing to believers). The most important thing in your life, whether Jew or gentile, is the Word of God.

Romans 3:2 [There are] many [advantages] in every way. For indeed first [is] that they have been entrusted [with] the words of the God. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Romans 3:1–2 What, therefore, [is] the advantage of the Jew? Or what [is] the benefit of the circumcision? [There are] many [advantages] in every way. For indeed first [is] that they have been entrusted [with] the words of the God. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Romans 3:1–2 You may be wondering, is there any advantage to being a Jew? Or, you may ask, is there any benefit at all to being circumcised? There are many advantages to being a Jew. Most importantly, God has entrusted them with His Word. (Kukis paraphrase)

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Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    For what if they have not believed certain ones? [Does] not the unfaithfulness of them the faith of the God will be rendered useless? May it not be! Now let become the God true and but every man a liar. Just as it stands written: In order that, whenever you might have been justified in the words of you, and will prevail by the being judged you. (Psalm 51:4)

Complete Apostles Bible        For what if some did not believe? Surely their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God?

Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar, just as it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, and You may overcome when You are judged."

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) For what if some of them have not believed? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid!

But God is true and every man a liar, as it is written: That thou mayest be justified in thy words and mayest overcome when thou art judged.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        .

Original Aramaic NT              For if some of them did not believe, did they nullify the faith of God by not believing?

God forbid! For God is true, and every person lies, just as that which is written: "You will be upright in your words and you will be victorious when they judge you."

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And if some have no faith, will that make the faith of God without effect? 

In no way: but let God be true, though every man is seen to be untrue; as it is said in the Writings, That your words may be seen to be true, and you may be seen to be right when you are judged.

Bible in Worldwide English     But some Jews did not keep his law. Does that mean that God cannot be trusted?

No, it does not mean that. God must be true, even if every man is not true. The holy writings say this about God: People will see that you are right in what you say. You will be without fault when you are judged.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  It is true that some Jews were not faithful to God. But will that stop God from doing what he promised?

No, even if everyone else is a liar, God will always do what he says. As the Scriptures say about him, "You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win when people accuse you."

God’s Word™                         What if some of them were unfaithful? Can their unfaithfulness cancel God's faithfulness?

That would be unthinkable! God is honest, and everyone else is a liar, as Scripture says, "So you hand down justice when you speak, and you win your case in court."

Good News Bible (TEV)         But what if some of them were not faithful? Does this mean that God will not be faithful?

Certainly not! God must be true, even though all human beings are liars. As the scripture says, "You must be shown to be right when you speak; you must win your case when you are being tried."

J. B. Phillips                           .

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

Radiant New Testament        .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Version          .

Contemporary English V.       It is true that some of them did not believe the message. But does this mean that God cannot be trusted, just because they did not have faith?

No, indeed! God tells the truth, even if everyone else is a liar. The Scriptures say about God, "Your words will be proven true, and in court you will win your case."

Goodspeed New Testament  .

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        But what if some were unfaithful to their divine calling? Does their unbelief weaken God’s faithfulness? 

Absolutely not! God will always be proven faithful and true to his word, while people are proven to be liars. This will fulfill what was written in the Scriptures: Your words will always be vindicated and you will rise victorious when you are being tried by your critics! 

Plain English Version             .

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Does the Jews not being faithful mean that God will not bless as he promised that he would?  

No, it certainly does not mean that! God always does what he has promised, even though people do not. All those who accuse God of not keeping his promises to us Jews are very mistaken. King David wrote about this:" So everyone must acknowledge that what you have said about them is true, and that you will always win the case when anyone accuses you of doing wrong."

Williams’ New Testament      What then, if some of them have proved unfaithful? Can their unfaithfulness make null and void God's faithfulness?

Not at all. Let God prove true, though every man be false! As the Scripture says, "That you may prove yourself upright in words you speak, and win your case when you go into court."

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            You see, what if some did not trust? Their lack of trust won't make the trust of God useless, will it?

It could not happen. God must become true, but every person a liar, just as it has been written in Psalm 51:4, "in order that You (God) might be shown to be right in Your messages and will conquer in the thing to be decided by You."

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           But what if some did not believe, will their unbelief invalidate God's system of religion?

Absolutely not! Let God be found true but every person a liar, as it is written, "That you might be shown to be right in what you said and might prevail when you are condemned."

A. Campbell's Living Oracles For, what if some did not believe-will not their unbelief destroy the faithfulness of God?

By no means. But let God be true, and every man a liar; as it is written, "That thou mayest be justified in thy sayings, and mayest overcome when thou judgest."

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament What follows then? Some, no doubt, showed a want of faith; but will their want of faith make God break faith? Heaven forbid!

God must prove true, though every man prove a liar! As Scripture says of God-'That thou mayest be pronounced righteous in what thou sayest, and gain thy cause when men would judge thee.'

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                .

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

Free Bible Version                 What if some of them didn’t trust in God? Does their lack of trust in God obliterate the trustworthiness of God?

Of course not! Even if everyone else is proved to be lying, God always tells the truth. As Scripture says, “What you say will be proved right, and you will win your case* when you are judged.”*

International Standard V        What if some of the Jews [Lit. of them] were unfaithful? Their unfaithfulness cannot cancel God’s faithfulness, can it?

Of course not! God is true, even if everyone else is a liar. As it is written,

“You are right when you speak, [Lit. are justified in your words]

and win your case when you go into court.” [Ps 51:4]

Lexham Bible                         .

Montgomery NT                     Supposing some of them have proved faithless? By no means! Be sure that God is ever true, though all mankind prove false. As it is written, That thou mayest be found just in thine argument, And gain thy cause when thou contendest.

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      For what if some were faithless, will their faithlessness prevent the faithfulness of God?

Never. Let God be true, but every man a liar, as it is written, "That thou mayest be proved right in thy words and triumph when thou art judged."

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      .

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    For what if some Jews were without faith? Will their unbelief abolish God's faithfulness?  

May it never be. Instead, let God be found to be true, even though every man is a liar. As it has been written, " That you might be shown to be righteous in your words, and that you might prevail when you come into judgment."

Urim-Thummim Version         For what if some did not believe? will their unbelief make the Faith of Elohim without effect?

Elohim forbid: yes, let Elohim be true, but everyone a liar; as it is written, That you might be rendered righteous in your words, and might prevail when you are judged.

Weymouth New Testament    For what if some Jews have proved unfaithful? Shall their faithlessness render God's faithfulness worthless?

No, indeed; let us hold God to be true, though every man should prove to be false. As it stands written, "THAT THOU MAYEST BE SHOWN TO BE JUST IN THE SENTENCE THOU PRONOUNCEST, AND GAIN THY CAUSE WHEN THOU CONTENDEST."

Wikipedia Bible Project          Yes, some of them did not trust in God—but does their lack of trust in God destroy the trustworthiness of God?

Absolutely not! Even if everyone is a liar, God is truthful. As the scripture says, “Your words will proved to be right, and you will win your case when you come to court.”

Worsley’s New Testament    For what if some did not believe? shall their incredulity make the faithfulness of God of no effect?

God forbid: yea, let God be acknowledged true, though every man be a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, and mightest overcome, when thou judgest.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New Catholic Bible                 .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

Hebraic Roots Bible               For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief nullify the faith of YAHWEH?

Let it not be! But let YAHWEH be true, and every man false; even as it has been written, "That You should be justified in Your words, and will overcome in Your being judged." (Psa. 51:4)

Holy New Covenant Trans.    However, some Jews became unbelievers. Will their lack of faith cancel God’s loyalty?

Never! Even though every man is a liar, God will be true. This is written: "When You speak, You will be just. When You judge, You will conquer."

The Scriptures 2009              .

Tree of Life Version                .

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...What? for {is} if (not) believe (Some) Ones not? The Unbelief [of] them the faith [of] the god will release not [It] may become become! but The God True {become!} Every but Man Liar as [It] has been written so ever [You] may be justified in the words [of] you and [You] will overcome in the+ to be judged you...

Alpha & Omega Bible            WHAT THEN? IF SOME DID NOT BELIEVE, THEIR UNBELIEF WILL NOT NULLIFY THE FAITHFULNESS OF THEOS (The Alpha & Omega), will it?

MAY IT NEVER BE! RATHER, LET THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) BE FOUND TRUE, THOUGH EVERY MAN A LIAR, AS IT IS WRITTEN, “THAT YOU ARE RIGHT IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.” †(Psalm 51:4; Psalm 116:11)

Awful Scroll Bible                   For what if some are un-persuaded? Will not their un-confiding make the Confidence of God, accordingly-idle?

Would it not be came about! But God is come about Un-concealed and every man a liar! Accordingly-as-to it has been written, "How that you shall be made Righteous from-within your words, and shall be victorious by-within you to be judged."

Concordant Literal Version    For what if some disbelieve? Will not their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God?

May it not be coming to that! Now let God be true, yet every man a liar, even as it is written: "That so Thou shouldst be justified in Thy sayings, And shalt be conquering when Thou art being judged."

exeGeses companion Bible   So what if some distrusted?

does their distrust inactivate the trust of Elohim?

So be it not:

yes - so be it: Elohim is true and every human a liar;

exactly as scribed,

That you ever be justified in your words

and triumph in being judged.

Psalm 51:4

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

Orthodox Jewish Bible           So, where does that leave us? If some have disbelieved, has their lack of emunah annulled the ne'emanut (faithfulness, trustworthiness, reliability) of Hashem?

Chas v'shalom (G-d forbid!) Let G-d be true and KOL HAADAM KOZEV ("every man a liar" TEHILLIM 116:11). Even as it is written, L'MA'AN TITZDAK B'DAVRECHA ("in order that you might be vindicated when you speak" and shall overcome when you judge TEHILLIM 51:6[4]).

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   But what if some [of the Jews] were unfaithful? Does their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? Certainly not!

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.”

Brodie’s Expanded Trans.     But what if some people remain unfaithful? Will not their unfaithfulness cancel the faithfulness of God?

May it never happen! Rather, let God continue to be true, while every man is a liar [basically dishonest], just as it stands written: So that You might be pronounced righteous by Your doctrines and so You will prevail when You are being judged by it [the law & promises].

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             For what if certain ones refuse (or: some at one point refused) to believe (or: disbelieved; are unfaithful or disloyal; were without faith; are faithless)? Will not their unbelief (faithlessness; lack of trust; disloyalty) proceed in causing God’s faith (or: faithfulness; trustworthiness; loyalty; trust) to be idled-down (rendered useless and unproductive)?

Certainly not! (May it not come to be!) Now God must repeatedly come to be true (or: let God continually be birthed genuine and real), though every man [is] a liar – even as it has been written: "So that You should be justified (seen as fair and equitable – in accord with the way pointed out) within Your words (or: sayings), and You will repeatedly overcome (conquer) within the [situation or time for] You to be periodically judged and decided about (or: You will be wining the case when You are tried)." [Ps. 51:4 & 6]

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         What is the result [Literally “for what”] if some refused to believe? Their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it ?

May it never be! But let God be true but every human being a liar, just as it is written,

“In order that you may be justified in your words,

and may prevail when you are [*Or, if the form is understood as middle voice, “when you yourself judge”] judged.” [A quotation from Ps 51:4]

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. For what? <If some distrusted> shall their distrust make ||the trust of God|| void?

Far be it! But let |God| prove to be |true|ˎ albeit

|everyʹ man| be false!^a

Even as it is written—

That thou mightest be declared righteous in thy words,

And overcome when thou art in judgment.^b

^a Ps. cxvi. 11.

^b Ps. ii. 4.

The Spoken English NT         So, what if some were unfaithful to that trust? Can their lack of faith cancel out God’s faithfulness?

Never!^d God has to remain true even if every human being is a liar. As scripture says,^e.
And so you’re justified in saying the things you said, and you’ll prevail if you’re criticized.^f

d.Or “May God strike me down if I should ever say that,” or, even closer, “May God not strike me down—for even putting that thought into words.”

e.Lit. “just as it is written.”

f.Or “tried” (in court). This is a quote from Psalm 51:4, which follows David’s admission that he has lied and done wrong.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     So, what if some did not believe? Their unbelief will not nullify God’s faithfulness, will it?

Of course not! Rather, let God be found true, but every man a liar; just as it is written: “That you may be justified in your words, and may overcome when you are judged.”³

(3) See Psalm 51:4. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful—He is incapable of denying Himself” (2Timothy2:13).

WEB — Messianic Edition       .

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

Analytical-Literal Translation  For what if some were unfaithful [or, refused to believe]? Their unfaithfulness [or, unbelief] will not make the faithfulness of God useless, will it?

Absolutely not! But let God become true, but every person a liar! Just as it has been written, "In order that You shall be justified [or, declared righteous] in Your words and prevail in Your being judged." [Psalm 51:4]

Berean Literal Bible                .

Bill Puryear translation           What, then, is the situation? If certain ones refuse to believe [and they do], their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?

Emphatically not! Rather God must be proved truthful, but every man a liar, just as it stands written, ‘In order that You might be vindicated by means of Your doctrines and might be victorious while You are being criticized.’

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             .

Context Group Version          What then? If some were without trust, shall their lack of trust make of no effect the trustworthiness of God? Absolutely not: yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar; according to as it is written, That you might be vindicated in your words, And might prevail when you come into judgment.

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       For what if some have disbelieved? Their disbelief does not make God's faithfulness void, does it?

May it not be so. But let God be true and every man a liar, as it stands written, “In order that you may be justified with your words and that you may be vindicated when you are judged.”

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Holy Bible Improved Edition   .

James Allen translation          .

Legacy Standard Bible           .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  For* what if some disbelieved? Their unbelief will be not doing-away-with the faithfulness of God, will it?

Let it not happen! Now, let God become true*, but every man a liar; just-as it has been written, ‘*That you should be made righteous in your words and may overcome while* you were being judged.’ {Psa 51:4}

New American Standard        .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

New Matthew Bible                .

NT (Variant Readings)           .

Niobi Study Bible                   For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

God forbid! Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You(s) mightest be justified in Your(s) sayings, and mightest overcome when You(s) are judged."

R. B. Thieme, Jr. translation  Well then how stands the case with regard to the alternatives? If certain ones [the Jews] refuse to believe [in Christ] (and they do), shall their lack of faith cancel the integrity of God? No.

Emphatically not: rather, let the God be proved reliable, though every man a liar; as it stands written, In order that you might be demonstrated [or vindicated] just by means of your doctrines, and that you might prevail when you are being slandered.

R. B. Thieme, Jr. trans2         For what, or Well then how stands the case with regard to the two alternatives, if certain ones refused to Believe in Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ and they do, shall their lack of faith or unbelief as maladjustment to the Justice of God at salvation, cancel the reliability or the faithfulness of the Integrity of God? No, No, No. Definitely Emphatically Not or HELL NO! Rather let the Integrity of The God be proved or demonstrated constant, valid, trustworthy or reliable even though every man or person be proved a dishonest liar; As it stands written in the past with the result that it stands written forever in Ps 54:1, 116:11"In order or for the purpose that your eternal integrity, God, may be vindicated and demonstrated just or right, by means or because of your doctrines, that you, God, might prevail and overcome and be the victor when you are slanderously judged for judging."

Revised Geneva Translation  .

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         .

The gist of this passage: 

3-4

Translation: For what if certain ones have not believed?

One problem, which is clearly taught in the book of Acts, is the rejection of Jesus Christ by many Jews. What does that mean if the people of God have rejected His Son?

Translation: [Does] not their unfaithfulness render useless [or, neutralize] the faith of God?

Paul asks, is there a problem when the Jewish people, the people of God, reject Him? How are we to understand that?

The word pistis (πίστις) [pronounced PIHS-tihs], generally translated faith, also means, faith, assurance, belief, believe; the content of what is believed, doctrine. Strong’s #4102. What is being rejected is the entire teaching of God. When the Jews do this, doesn’t that somehow invalidate the doctrines of God?

Romans 3:3 For what if certain ones have not believed? [Does] not their unfaithfulness render useless [or, neutralize] the faith of God? (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: Absolutely not!

The two word above I believe are best translated with a strong negation, such as, absolutely not!

Translation: Let God be true and every man a liar.

God is truth; God speaks the truth, His doctrines are truth. So, no matter who rejects Him, He is still the truth.

Paul write, Let God be true and every man a liar.

Romans 3:4a-b Absolutely not! Let God be true and every man a liar. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: Just as it stands written, That You [God] should be vindicated through Your words...

Then Paul quote a verse from the Psalms. Even though Paul is writing primarily to a gentile audience, he has already quoted the Old Testament Scriptures twice (Romans 1:17 2:6). The entire Bible, the Old Testament and New Testament make up the Word of God. Even though the Jews were the ones who wrote most of the Old Testament, it is still the Word of God, applicable to all mankind.

For more information on this, see Psalm 51 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD).

Translation: ...and that You will prevail in Your judgment. (Psalm 51:4) (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Paul tells the Romans, Jews and Greeks alike, that God’s judgment will prevail and God will be vindicated by His judgment of all mankind.

Romans 3:4c-d Just as it stands written, That You [God] should be vindicated through Your words and that You will prevail in Your judgment. (Psalm 51:4) (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Paul’s choice here from the Old Testament is interesting. The portion of this verse which is better known is not quoted; what follows is what Paul quotes. Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, I have sinned, and done evil in Your eyes; that You might be justified in Your speaking and be clear when You judge. (ESV) Paul is praying to God, recognizing his sin against God. His admitting this is rebound. In this specific context, it was Nathan who came to David and spoke God’s words to him. God is vindicated by what He said to David through Nathan. From the Kukis paraphrase: Therefore, You are both righteous in your declaration (of my discipline) and You are justified in Your judgment (of my sins). (Psalm 51:4b) David recognizes that God is just to judge him as He did.

Although Paul quoted the Septuagint (which is Psalm 50:6) and even though he uses the same words found in the LXX, instead of using the aorist active subjunctive of nikáō (νικάω) [pronounced nihk-AH-oh], he expresses this with the future active indicative. Paul takes this phrase and shift God’s judgment into the future; and this will be the judgment of all those who do not believe (in context, David was writing about being fairly judged by God for his sin). So Paul, under the guidance of God the Holy Spirit, is not writing as though this is a fulfillment of Psalm 51, but he is taking the principle found in Palm 51 and applying it to this particular question/accusation.

Romans 3:3–4 For what if certain ones have not believed? [Does] not their unfaithfulness render useless [or, neutralize] the faith of God? Absolutely not! Let God be true and every man a liar. Just as it stands written, That You [God] should be vindicated through Your words and that You will prevail in Your judgment. (Psalm 51:4) (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Romans 3:3–4 For the sake of argument, what if certain people do not believe? Does their lack of faithfulness somehow damage the truth of God? Absolutely not! God is always true while men lie all of the time. It stands written in Psalm 51:4, You, God, are vindicated through Your words; and that under any objective evaluation, You will always prevail. (Kukis paraphrase)

——————————

Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek) 

Complete Apostles Bible        But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Surely God, the One inflicting wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I speak as a man.)

Certainly not! For otherwise how shall God judge the world?

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) But if our injustice commend the justice of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust, who executeth wrath?

(I speak according to man.) God forbid! Otherwise how shall God judge this world?

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        .

Original Aramaic NT              But if our evil establishes the justice of God, what shall we say? Is God doing evil by bringing forth his wrath? I am speaking as a man.

God forbid! Otherwise, how will God judge the universe?

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             But if the righteousness of God is supported by our wrongdoing what is to be said? is it wrong for God to be angry as men may say? 

In no way: because if it is so, how is God able to be the judge of all the world?

Bible in Worldwide English     When we do wrong things, we show that God is right. What shall we say about that? Does God do wrong when he punishes us? (I speak the way people would think about it.)

No, he does not. If he did wrong, how could he judge the world?

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  When we do wrong, that shows more clearly that God is right. So can we say that God does wrong when he punishes us? (That's the way some people think.)

Of course not. If God could not punish us, how could he judge the world?

God’s Word™                         But if what we do wrong shows that God is fair, what should we say? Is God unfair when he vents his anger on us? (I'm arguing the way humans would.)

That's unthinkable! Otherwise, how would God be able to judge the world?

Good News Bible (TEV)         But what if our doing wrong serves to show up more clearly God's doing right? Can we say that God does wrong when he punishes us? (This would be the natural question to ask.)

By no means! If God is not just, how can he judge the world?

J. B. Phillips                           .

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

Radiant New Testament        .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Version          .

Contemporary English V.       If our evil deeds show how right God is, then what can we say? Is it wrong for God to become angry and punish us? What a foolish thing to ask.

But the answer is, "No." Otherwise, how could God judge the world?

Goodspeed New Testament  .

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        But what if our wrong shows how right God is? Doesn’t our bad serve the purpose of making God look good? (Of course, I’m only speaking from a human viewpoint.) Would that infer that God is unfair when he displays his anger against wrongdoing? 

Absolutely not! For if that were the case, how could God be the righteous judge of all the earth?

Plain English Version             .

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  So if God did not bless because we were wicked, can we say that he acted unfairly? That he was wrong to punish us out of anger?( I am speaking as ordinary humans speak.)  

We should certainly not conclude that God should not judge, because if God did not judge, it could not possibly be right for him to judge the world!

Williams’ New Testament      But if our wrongdoing brings to light the uprightness of God, what shall we infer? Is it wrong (I am using everyday human terms) for God to inflict punishment?

Not at all! If that were so, how could He judge the world?

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            If our wrong way endorses God's right way, what will we state? God is not wrong bringing up the punishment, is He? (I am talking in line with a person.)

It could not happen. Otherwise, how will God judge the world?

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           For if our iniquity commends God's righteousness, what can we say? [Is] God unrighteous to mete out vengeance? (I speak as a man).

Absolutely not! For then how will God judge the world?

A. Campbell's Living Oracles But if our unrighteousness display the justice of God, what shall we say? Is not God unjust, who inflicts vengeance? (I speak after the manner of men.)

By no means: otherwise, how shall God judge the world?

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament But what if our wrong-doing makes God's righteousness all the clearer? Will God be wrong in inflicting punishment? (I can but speak as a man.) Heaven forbid!

Otherwise how can God judge the world?

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .