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Romans 3:1 What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?

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Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />What then <i>is</i> the superiority of the Jew? Or what <i>is</i> the benefit of the circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit <i>is there</i> of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What advantage then has the Jew, or what <i>is</i> the profit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then what is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />What good is it to be a Jew? What good is it to be circumcised? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/3.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />Is there any advantage, then, in being a Jew? Or is there any value in being circumcised?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do the Jews then have any advantage over the Gentiles? Or is there any value in being circumcised? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />What advantage, then, does the Jew have, or what value is there in circumcision? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Therefore what advantage does the Jew have, or what is the value of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />What special privilege, then, has a Jew? Or what benefit is to be derived from circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What, then, [is] the superiority of the Jew? Or what the profit of the circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />What then <i>is</i> the superiority of the Jew? Or what <i>is</i> the benefit of the circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What, then, is the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of the circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What then the superiority of the Jew or what the advantage of circumcision?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />WHAT advantage then hath the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So then, what more is the Jew, or what is the usefulness of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What advantage is there then in being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />WHAT then is the superiority of the Jew? or what is the importance of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />What therefore is the excellence of the Jews, or what is the advantage of circumcision?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />What advantage then has the Jew, or what profit has circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then what more belongs to the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />WHAT then is the superiority of the Jew? or what is the advantage of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />What advantage then hath the Jew? or what benefit is there from circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />What special privilege, then, has a Jew? Or what benefit is to be derived from circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />What, then, <i>is</i> the advantage of the Jew? Or what <i>is</i> the profit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />What then <i>is</i> the advantage of the Jew, or what <i>is</i> the profit of circumcision?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/3-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=580" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">God Remains Faithful</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">What,</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">is the</a> <a href="/greek/4053.htm" title="4053: perisson (Adj-NNS) -- From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.">advantage</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/2453.htm" title="2453: Ioudaiou (Adj-GMS) -- Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.">being a Jew?</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: &#275; (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">Or</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tis (IPro-NFS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: h&#275; (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5622.htm" title="5622: &#333;pheleia (N-NFS) -- Usefulness, profit, advantage, benefit, gain. From a derivative of the base of ophelimos; usefulness, i.e. Benefit.">value</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: t&#275;s (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4061.htm" title="4061: peritom&#275;s (N-GFS) -- Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.">of circumcision?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">2</span>Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Romans 9:4-5</a></span><br />the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. / Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28-29</a></span><br />There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. / And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham&#8217;s seed and heirs according to the promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Philippians 3:5</a></span><br />circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51-53</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers&#8212; / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-22.htm">John 4:22</a></span><br />You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Ephesians 2:11-13</a></span><br />Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)&#8212; / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-22.htm">2 Corinthians 11:22</a></span><br />Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a></span><br />And do not presume to say to yourselves, &#8216;We have Abraham as our father.&#8217; For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-46.htm">Acts 13:46</a></span><br />Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: &#8220;It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Hebrews 5:12</a></span><br />Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God&#8217;s word. You need milk, not solid food!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God&#8217;s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Luke 24:44</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, &#8220;These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-21.htm">Acts 15:21</a></span><br />For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-20.htm">1 Corinthians 9:20</a></span><br />To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11</a></span><br />In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?</p><p class="hdg">advantage.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25-29</a></b></br> For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-32.htm">Genesis 25:32</a></b></br> And Esau said, Behold, I <i>am</i> at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:8,11</a></b></br> For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? &#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/7-19.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/acts/4-9.htm">Benefit</a> <a href="/acts/27-21.htm">Better</a> <a href="/romans/2-29.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Derived</a> <a href="/romans/2-29.htm">Jew</a> <a href="/john/1-12.htm">Privilege</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/acts/19-11.htm">Special</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-7.htm">Superiority</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Value</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/7-8.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/romans/6-21.htm">Benefit</a> <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Better</a> <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Derived</a> <a href="/romans/10-12.htm">Jew</a> <a href="/romans/3-2.htm">Privilege</a> <a href="/romans/3-12.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/romans/12-6.htm">Special</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-1.htm">Superiority</a> <a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Value</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-1.htm">The Jews prerogative;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-3.htm">which they have not lost;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-9.htm">howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-20.htm">therefore no one is justified by the law;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-28.htm">but all, without difference, by faith, only;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/3-31.htm">and yet the law is not abolished.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/romans/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew?</b><br>This question arises in the context of Paul's discussion on the universality of sin and the impartiality of God's judgment. Historically, the Jews were God's chosen people, entrusted with the Law and the covenants (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6-8</a>). This special relationship with God was a significant advantage, as it provided them with direct revelation and guidance. However, Paul is addressing a deeper theological question about the true spiritual advantage, especially in light of the new covenant through Christ. The advantage lies in their historical role as the bearers of God's word, which is further elaborated in <a href="/romans/3-2.htm">Romans 3:2</a>.<p><b>Or what is the value of circumcision?</b><br>Circumcision was the physical sign of the Abrahamic covenant (<a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a>), symbolizing the Jewish people's unique relationship with God. It was a mark of identity and obedience, setting them apart from other nations. In the New Testament context, Paul often discusses circumcision to highlight the difference between outward religious rituals and inward spiritual transformation (<a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28-29</a>). The value of circumcision, therefore, is not in the physical act itself but in what it represents: a heart committed to God. This anticipates the broader New Testament teaching that true circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not merely by the letter of the law.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, discussing the role of the Jewish people in God's plan.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jews.htm">Jews</a></b><br>The ethnic and religious group to whom Paul refers, highlighting their historical and spiritual significance in God's covenant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/circumcision.htm">Circumcision</a></b><br>A physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants, representing Jewish identity and religious commitment.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/rome.htm">Rome</a></b><br>The city where the recipients of the letter reside, a diverse and influential center of the ancient world.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>Refers to the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites and is central to Jewish identity and religious practice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_privilege_of_god's_revelation.htm">The Privilege of God's Revelation</a></b><br>The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God, which is a significant privilege and responsibility. This highlights the importance of valuing and preserving God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_external_signs.htm">The Role of External Signs</a></b><br>While circumcision is an important sign of the covenant, it is ultimately the heart's condition that matters. Believers today should focus on internal transformation rather than external rituals.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_christ.htm">Unity in Christ</a></b><br>In Christ, distinctions such as Jew and Gentile are transcended. Believers are called to unity and equality in the body of Christ, emphasizing spiritual identity over ethnic or cultural identity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god's_promises.htm">Faithfulness to God's Promises</a></b><br>God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel serves as a reminder of His faithfulness to all believers. Trust in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_responsibility_of_being_chosen.htm">The Responsibility of Being Chosen</a></b><br>Being chosen by God comes with the responsibility to live according to His will and to be a light to others. Believers should reflect on how they can fulfill this role in their own lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_bible_stories_echo_older_myths.htm">Why do many biblical stories resemble earlier myths from Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_send_servants_and_son_if_rejected.htm">Mark 12:1&#8211;9: Why would an all-knowing God repeatedly send servants and His own Son if He knew they would be rejected and killed? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_galatians_3_28_erase_distinctions.htm">How does Galatians 3:28&#8217;s declaration of unity erase cultural, gender, and social distinctions that still seem to persist in both biblical and modern contexts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_distinguishes_jews_from_gentiles.htm">What distinguishes Jews from Gentiles?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>III.</span><p>(1-8) Continuing the subject, but with a long digression in <a href="/romans/3-3.htm" title="For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?">Romans 3:3</a> <span class= "ital">et seq.</span> The Apostle asks, What is the real value of these apparent advantages? He is about to answer the question fully, as he does later in <a href="/context/romans/9-4.htm" title="Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;">Romans 9:4-5</a>; but after stating the first point, he goes off upon a difficulty raised by this, and does not return to complete what he had begun. This, again, is characteristic of his ardent and keenly speculative mind. Problems such as those which he discusses evidently have a fascination for him, and lead him, here as elsewhere, at once to leave the immediate subject before him, and to enter eagerly into the discussion of them. A more lethargic or timid brain would be under no such temptation.<p>One real and solid advantage on the part of the Jew was that he was made the direct recipient of the divine revelation. This privilege of his is not annulled by the defection of a part of the people. It rests not upon the precarious fidelity of men, but upon the infallible promise of God. Yet is not the ultimate triumph of that promise any excuse for those who have set it at nought. They will be punished just the same, and rightly. Otherwise there could be no judgment at all. The casuistical objection that sin loses its guilt if it redounds to God's glory, or, in other words, that the end justifies the means, carries with it its own condemnation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-8.</span> - (2) <span class="accented">Certain objections with regard to the Jews suggested and met.</span> In this passage, before proceeding with his argument, the apostle meets certain objections that might be made to what has been so far said. Some difficulty in determining his exact meaning arises from the concise and pregnant form in which the objections are put and answered, and from fresh ones arising out of the answers, which have also to be met. The objections are from the Jewish standpoint, though not put into the mouth of an objecting Jew, but rather suggested as likely ones by St. Paul himself. To the original readers of the Epistle, who were familiar with the tone of Jewish thought, the sequence of the ideas would probably be more obvious than to us. Reserving special consideration of successive clauses for our exposition of each verse, we may, in the first place, exhibit thus the general drift. <span class="accented">Objection</span> 1 (ver. 1). If being a Jew, if circumcision itself, gives one no advantage over the Gentile, what was the use of the old covenant at all? It is thus shown to have been illusory; and God's own truth and faithfulness are impugned, if he is supposed to have given, as conveying advantages, what really conveyed none. (This last thought, though not expressed, must be supposed to be implied in the objection, since it is replied to in the answer.) <span class="accented">Answer</span> (vers. 2-4). <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> It was not illusory; it did convey great advantages in the way of <span class="accented">privilege and opportunity</span>; this advantage first, not to mention other. that "the oracles of God" were entrusted to the Jew. And <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> if some (more or fewer, it matters not) have failed to realize these advantages, it has been their fault, not God's. It is man's unfaithfulness, not his, that has been the cause of the failure. Nay, though, according to the hasty saying of the psalmist, <span class="accented">all men</span> were false, God's truth remains; nay, further, as is expressed in another psalm (<a href="/psalms/51.htm">Psalm 51</a>.), man's very unfaithfulness is found to commend his faithfulness the more, and redound to his greater glory. <span class="accented">Objection</span> 2 (ver. 5). Based on the last assertion. But if man's unfaithfulness has this result, how can God, consistently with his justice, be wrath with us and punish us for it? Surely the Jew (whose case we are now considering) may claim exemption from "the wrath" of God spoken of above, his unfaithfulness being allowed to have served only to establish God's truth and to enhance his glory. <span class="accented">Answer</span> (ver. 6-8). I have suggested this objection as though the matter could be regarded from a mere human point of view, as though it were one between man and man; for it is true that a man cannot justly take vengeance on another who has not really harmed him. But such a view is inapplicable to God in his dealings with man; it does not touch our doctrine of his righteous wrath against sin as such. I can only meet it with a <span class="greek">&#x3bc;&#x1f74;&#x20;&#x3b3;&#x1f73;&#x3bd;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;</span>. For <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> it would preclude God from judging the world at all, as we all believe he will do. Any <span class="accented">heathen</span> sinner might put in the same plea, saying, Why am I too (<span class="greek">&#x3ba;&#x1f00;&#x3b3;&#x1f7c;</span>) judged as a sinner? Nay, . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/3-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">What,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#932;&#943;</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#8022;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] the</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#8056;</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">advantage</span><br /><span class="grk">&#960;&#949;&#961;&#953;&#963;&#963;&#8056;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(perisson)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4053.htm">Strong's 4053: </a> </span><span class="str2">From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#959;&#8166;</span> <span class="translit">(tou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[being] a Jew?</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7992;&#959;&#965;&#948;&#945;&#943;&#959;&#965;</span> <span class="translit">(Ioudaiou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2453.htm">Strong's 2453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Or</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7970;</span> <span class="translit">(&#275;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what [is]</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#943;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(tis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7969;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#275;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">value</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8032;&#966;&#941;&#955;&#949;&#953;&#945;</span> <span class="translit">(&#333;pheleia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5622.htm">Strong's 5622: </a> </span><span class="str2">Usefulness, profit, advantage, benefit, gain. From a derivative of the base of ophelimos; usefulness, i.e. Benefit.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of circumcision?</span><br /><span class="grk">&#960;&#949;&#961;&#953;&#964;&#959;&#956;&#8134;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(peritom&#275;s)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4061.htm">Strong's 4061: </a> </span><span class="str2">Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/3-1.htm">NT Letters: Romans 3:1 Then what advantage does the Jew have? (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/2-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 2:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 2:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/3-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 3:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 3:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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