The letter to the
CHRISTIANS
at Rome
All are saved without deeds
Chapter Three
What is the point of the church?
01 What advantage then has the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision? 02 Much every way: chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles [or words] of God [to share with others].
03 For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 04 God forbid: yes, let God be true, but every man a liar [in the church]; as it is written,
That You might be justified [or correct] in Your sayings, and might overcome [or be clear and blameless] when You are judged [or examined]. Note 2
Does sinning elevate the truth?
05 But if our unrighteousness commends [or upholds] the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who [or when He] takes vengeance [on us who sin]? (I speak as a man [would speak]). 06 God forbid! For then how shall God judge the world [correctly]? 07 For if the truth of God has more abounded through my lie to His glory why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 08 And [should we] not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), [or teach] Let us do evil, that good may come? Whose [or their] damnation is just. Note 3
Holier than them?
09 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise, for we have before proved [or demonstrated] both Jews [church] and Gentiles [non-church], that they are all under sin; 10 as it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [serpents] is under their lips: 14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 destruction and misery are in their ways. 17 And the way of peace have they not known. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. Note 4
Works are not required for justification
19 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is [only] the knowledge of sin. Note 5
21 But now the righteousness of God without [or apart from] the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ to all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference. 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 [and yet are] being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation [or compensation] through faith in His blood [or death], to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance [or love] of God.
26 To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and [yet be] the justifier of him which believes in Jesus. Note 6
Justified by faith in Jesus
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded [or cut off]. By what law? Of works? No: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Note 7
29 Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. 30 Seeing it is one God [for both Jew and Gentile], which shall justify the circumcision [church members] by faith, and [also] uncircumcision [non-church people] through faith, 31 do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid!
Yes, we establish the law. Note 8
oooOooo
On to
Chapter Four of the Letter
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