1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew? Or of what value is there in circumcision?
2Much every way; mainly because it was to them that the oracles (word) of God were entrusted.
3Granted that some Israelites were unfaithful – but shall their unbelief negate the faithfulness of God?
4God forbid! But even if everyone else is a liar, God is true; as it is written of Him in the Scriptures, ‘So that You might be justified when You speak, and prevail when You are judged.’(Job 40:8)
5But some might argue that if our unrighteousness brings out the righteousness of God more clearly, then our sinfulness serves a good purpose. Would God then be unfair to punish our sin? (I am using a human argument here.)
6Of course not! If that were so, then how could God judge the world?
7But some might argue ‘If the truth of God abounds more to His glory because of my lie; why then am I still condemned as a sinner?’
8Then why not say (as some slanderously claim, and as others affirm that we say), ‘Let us do evil, that good may result’? Their condemnation is just!”
9What shall we conclude, then? Are we (Jews) better than they? No, in no way; for we have already proven that both Jews and Gentiles, alike, are all under the power of sin;
10As it is written, ‘There is none righteous, no, not one’(Ps.14:1b & 3b):
11’There is none that understands, there is no one that seeks God. (Ps.53:2)
12They have all turned away, they have all become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one’(Ps.14:2b-3).
13‘Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they practice deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips’(Ps.5:9);
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16Destruction and misery mark their ways;
17And the way of peace they do not know.
18There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and all the world held accountable before God.
20Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in His sight by the workings of the law; for the law simply shows us how sinful we are.
21But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him apart from the law, as testified to by the Law and the Prophets:
22We are made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for everyone who believes, no matter who they are; for there is no distinction.
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,
24And all are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus,
25Whom God has presented as our redeeming sacrifice for sin; and by the shedding of His blood, we are declared righteous before God, demonstrating God’s fairness by His restraint in not punishing those who sinned in the past;
26To declare at this time His righteousness; so that He is just, and the Justifier of those who believe in Jesus.
27Where, then, is the basis for our boasting? It is excluded. By what law, the law that requires works? No; but by another ‘law’ - that of faith.
28Therefore, we are made right with God by faith apart from our deeds or the effects of the law.
29Is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,
30Since there is only one God, Who shall justify the circumcised by faith, and uncircumcised by that same faith.
31Does this faith, then, render the law void? God forbid! It is only when we have faith that we truly fulfil the law. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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