1So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

2Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted Dt 4:8; Ps 147:19; Rm 9:4 with the spoken words of God. Ac 7:38

3What then? If some did not believe, Rm 10:16; Heb 4:2 will their unbelief cancel God’s faithfulness?

4Absolutely not! Lk 20:16; Rm 3:31 God must be true, even if everyone is a liar, Ps 116:11 as it is written:

9What then? Are we any better? Are we Jews any better than the Gentiles? Not at all! For we have previously charged that both Jews Rm 2:1-29 and Gentiles Lit Greeks Rm 1:18-32 are all under sin, Under sin’s power or dominion Rm 3:19,23; 11:32; Gl 3:22

10as it is written: Paul constructs this charge from a chain of OT quotations, mainly from the Psalms.

11There is no one who understands;

12All have turned away;

13Their throat is an open grave;

14Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Ps 10:7 Ps 10:7

15Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,

17and the path of peace they have not known. Is 59:7-8 Is 59:7-8

18There is no fear of God before their eyes. Ps 36:1 Ps 36:1

19Now we know that whatever the law says Jn 10:34 speaks to those who are subject to the law, Lit those in the law Rm 2:12 so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. Or become guilty before God, or may be accountable to God Rm 2:9

20For no one will be justified Or will be declared righteous, or will be acquitted in His sight by the works of the law, Ps 143:2; Ac 13:39; Gl 2:16 because the knowledge of sin comes through the law. Rm 4:15; 5:13,20; 7:7

21But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed Rm 1:17; 9:30 — attested by the Law and the Prophets When capitalized, the Law and the Prophets = OT Ac 10:43; Rm 1:2

22 — that is, God’s righteousness through faith Rm 4:5 in Jesus Christ, Or through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ Ac 3:16; Gl 2:16,20; 3:22; Eph 3:12 to all who believe, Rm 4:11,16; 10:4 since there is no distinction. Rm 10:12; Gl 3:28; Col 3:11

23For all have sinned Rm 3:9 and fall short of the Or and lack the glory of God.

24They are justified freely by His grace Rm 4:4,16; Eph 2:8 through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 1Co 1:30; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 9:15

25God presented Him as a propitiation Or as a propitiatory sacrifice, or as an offering of atonement, or as a mercy seat ; 2Co 5:21; Heb 9:5 1Jn 2:2; 4:10 through faith in His blood, 1Co 5:7; Heb 9:14,28; 1Pt 1:19; Rv 1:5 to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God Rm 2:4 passed over the sins previously committed. Ac 17:30; 14:16

26God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous Or and justify, or and acquit the one who has faith in Jesus.

27Where then is boasting? Rm 2:17,23; 4:2; 1Co 1:29-31 It is excluded. By what kind of law? Or what principle? Rm 9:31 By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law Or a principle of faith.

28For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Ac 13:39; Rm 9:31; Eph 2:9; Jms 2:20,24,26

29Or is God for Jews only? Ac 10:34; Rm 9:24; 10:12; 15:9; Gl 3:28 Is He not also for Gentiles? Yes, for Gentiles too,

30since there is one God Rm 10:12 who will justify the circumcised by faith Rm 4:11,16; Gl 3:8 and the uncircumcised through faith.

31Do we then cancel the law through faith? Absolutely not! Lk 20:16; Rm 3:4 On the contrary, we uphold the law. Mt 5:17; Rm 4:3; 8:4