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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 3:3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/3-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/45_Rom_03_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 3:3 - God Remains Faithful" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What if some did not have faith? 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Will their unfaithfulness nullify God&#8217s faithfulness? <a href="/nlt/romans/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? <a href="/esv/romans/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? <a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? <a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> What if indeed some disbelieved? Will their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? <a href="/kjv/romans/3.htm">King James Bible</a> For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? <a href="/nkjv/romans/3.htm">New King James Version</a> For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? <a href="/nasb_/romans/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? <a href="/nasb/romans/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? <a href="/nasb77/romans/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? <a href="/lsb/romans/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> What then? If some did not believe, does their unbelief abolish the faithfulness of God? <a href="/amp/romans/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> What then? If some did not believe or were unfaithful [to God], their lack of belief will not nullify and make invalid the faithfulness of God and His word, will it? <a href="/csb/romans/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? <a href="/hcsb/romans/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> What then? If some did not believe, will their unbelief cancel God&#8217s faithfulness? <a href="/asv/romans/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> For what if some were without faith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God? <a href="/cev/romans/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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? <a href="/erv/romans/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> For what if some were without faith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God? <a href="/gwt/romans/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> What if some of them were unfaithful? Can their unfaithfulness cancel God's faithfulness? <a href="/gnt/romans/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> But what if some of them were not faithful? Does this mean that God will not be faithful? <a href="/isv/romans/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> What if some of the Jews were unfaithful? Their unfaithfulness cannot cancel God's faithfulness, can it? <a href="/msb/romans/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God?s faithfulness? <a href="/net/romans/3.htm">NET Bible</a> What then? If some did not believe, does their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? <a href="/nheb/romans/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? <a href="/wbt/romans/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For what if some did not believe? will their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? <a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For what if some Jews have proved unfaithful? Shall their faithlessness render God's faithfulness worthless? <a href="/web/romans/3.htm">World English Bible</a> For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for what, if certain were faithless? Will their faithlessness make the faithfulness of God useless? <a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> What if indeed some disbelieved? Will their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? <a href="/ylt/romans/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for what, if certain were faithless? shall their faithlessness the faithfulness of god make useless? <a href="/slt/romans/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For what if some disbelieved? their unbelief will not leave inactive the faith of God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For what if some of them have not believed? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid. <a href="/cpdv/romans/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But what if some of them have not believed? Shall their unbelief nullify the faith of God? Let it not be so! <a href="/nabre/romans/3.htm">New American Bible</a> What if some were unfaithful? Will their infidelity nullify the fidelity of God? <a href="/nrsvce/romans/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For what if some had not believed, could their unbelief nullify the faith of God? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For if some of them did not believe, did they nullify the faith of God by not believing?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> What, indeed, if some have been unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness overthrow the faithfulness of God? <a href="/godbey/romans/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For what if some did not believe? whether will their unbelief destroy the faith of God? <a href="/haweis/romans/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For what if some were unbelievers? shall their unbelief render the faithfulness of God ineffectual? <a href="/mace/romans/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for what if some betrayed their trust? shall their unfaithfulness render <a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For what if some Jews have proved unfaithful? Shall their faithlessness render God's faithfulness worthless? <a href="/worrell/romans/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For what, if some did disbelieve? Shall their disbelief make void the faithfulness of God? <a href="/worsley/romans/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For what if some did not believe? shall their incredulity make the faithfulness of God of no effect? <a href="/parallel/romans/3-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=594" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">God Remains Faithful</a> …2Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. 3<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/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tines (IPro-NMP) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">some</a> <a href="/greek/569.htm" title="569: ēpistēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- To be unfaithful, disbelieve, refuse belief, prove false. From apistos; to be unbelieving, i.e. disbelieve, or disobey.">did not have faith?</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Will their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/570.htm" title="570: apistia (N-NFS) -- Unbelief, unfaithfulness, distrust. From apistos; faithlessness, i.e. disbelief, or unfaithfulness.">lack of faith</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/2673.htm" title="2673: katargēsei (V-FIA-3S) -- From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.">nullify</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."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God’s</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistin (N-AFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faithfulness?</a> 4Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_timothy/2-13.htm">2 Timothy 2:13</a> if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. <a href="/numbers/23-19.htm">Numbers 23:19</a> God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? <a href="/titus/1-2.htm">Titus 1:2</a> in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. <a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Hebrews 6:18</a> Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. <a href="/psalms/89-33.htm">Psalm 89:33-34</a> But I will not withdraw My loving devotion from him, nor ever betray My faithfulness. / I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips. <a href="/1_samuel/15-29.htm">1 Samuel 15:29</a> Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.” <a href="/john/3-33.htm">John 3:33</a> Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful. <a href="/psalms/119-89.htm">Psalm 119:89-90</a> Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens. / Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures. <a href="/isaiah/55-11.htm">Isaiah 55:11</a> so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. <a href="/psalms/105-8.htm">Psalm 105:8-10</a> He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: <a href="/1_kings/8-56.htm">1 Kings 8:56</a> “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses. <a href="/psalms/33-4.htm">Psalm 33:4</a> For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is trustworthy. <a href="/2_corinthians/1-20.htm">2 Corinthians 1:20</a> For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God. <a href="/hebrews/10-23.htm">Hebrews 10:23</a> Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. <a href="/psalms/100-5.htm">Psalm 100:5</a> For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?if some.<a href="/romans/9-6.htm">Romans 9:6</a> Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:<a href="/romans/10-16.htm">Romans 10:16</a> But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?<a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Romans 11:1-7</a> I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin… shall.<a href="/romans/11-29.htm">Romans 11:29</a> For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.<a href="/numbers/23-19.htm">Numbers 23:19</a> God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?<a href="/1_samuel/15-29.htm">1 Samuel 15:29</a> And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.faith.<a href="/psalms/84-7.htm">Psalm 84:7</a> They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.<a href="/john/1-16.htm">John 1:16</a> And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.<a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm">2 Corinthians 3:18</a> But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/28-24.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/acts/28-24.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/acts/27-42.htm">Effect</a> <a href="/romans/1-17.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-8.htm">Faithfulness</a> <a href="/romans/1-31.htm">Faithless</a> <a href="/hosea/14-4.htm">Faithlessness</a> <a href="/romans/3-2.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/3-2.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/luke/22-35.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/matthew/15-6.htm">Nullify</a> <a href="/romans/1-4.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/romans/2-6.htm">Render</a> <a href="/acts/19-9.htm">Unbelief</a> <a href="/luke/12-46.htm">Unfaithful</a> <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/romans/1-13.htm">Want</a> <a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/3-22.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/romans/4-3.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Effect</a> <a href="/romans/3-22.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Faithfulness</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-13.htm">Faithless</a> <a href="/numbers/14-33.htm">Faithlessness</a> <a href="/romans/3-5.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Nullify</a> <a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Render</a> <a href="/romans/4-20.htm">Unbelief</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-4.htm">Unfaithful</a> <a href="/romans/3-12.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/romans/7-15.htm">Want</a> <a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 3</div>1. <a href="/romans/3-1.htm">The Jews prerogative;</a> 3. <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">which they have not lost;</a> 9. <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;</a> 20. <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">therefore no one is justified by the law;</a> 28. <a href="/romans/3-28.htm">but all, without difference, by faith, only;</a> 31. <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">and yet the law is not abolished.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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 ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>What if some did not have faith? This phrase addresses the issue of unbelief among the Jewish people, who were the initial recipients of God's promises. Historically, Israel was chosen to be God's people, yet not all Israelites believed in God's promises or followed His commandments. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where despite God's faithfulness, many Israelites turned to idolatry and disobedience (e.g., <a href="/exodus/32.htm">Exodus 32</a>, the Golden Calf incident). The question posed here is rhetorical, highlighting the reality of unbelief even among those who are part of the covenant community.Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? This phrase emphasizes the steadfastness of God's character. Despite human unfaithfulness, God's promises and faithfulness remain unchanging. This is consistent with the biblical narrative, where God's covenant with Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>) and His promises to Israel are not dependent on human faithfulness but on His own nature. Theologically, this underscores the doctrine of God's immutability and faithfulness, as seen in passages like <a href="/2_timothy/2-13.htm">2 Timothy 2:13</a>, "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself." It also points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's faithfulness to humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the believers in Rome, providing theological insights into the nature of faith and God's faithfulness. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_believers.htm">Jewish Believers</a> The immediate audience includes Jewish Christians who are grappling with the implications of faith and the law in light of the gospel. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gentile_believers.htm">Gentile Believers</a> Also part of the Roman church, Gentile believers are learning about their inclusion in God's promises despite not having the Jewish law. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a> A central theme in this verse, highlighting God's unwavering commitment to His promises despite human unbelief. 5. <a href="/topical/u/unbelief.htm">Unbelief</a> The condition of some individuals who do not have faith, which Paul addresses to clarify its impact on God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_is_unchanging.htm">God's Faithfulness is Unchanging</a> Despite human unbelief, God's promises and faithfulness remain constant. This assures believers that their faith is grounded in a reliable and steadfast God. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_human_faith.htm">The Role of Human Faith</a> While human faith is important, it does not determine God's faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises, knowing that His plans are not thwarted by human doubt. <a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_times_of_doubt.htm">Encouragement in Times of Doubt</a> Believers may encounter seasons of doubt or encounter others who lack faith. This verse reassures us that God's faithfulness is not dependent on human belief, providing comfort and encouragement. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_in_community.htm">The Importance of Faith in Community</a> In a community of believers, some may struggle with faith. This passage encourages the community to support one another, knowing that God's faithfulness covers all. <a href="/topical/f/faith_as_a_response_to_god's_faithfulness.htm">Faith as a Response to God's Faithfulness</a> Our faith is a response to God's already demonstrated faithfulness. Believers are called to live out their faith in gratitude and trust in God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 3</a> <a href="/q/does_james_2_14-17_contradict_romans_3_28.htm">(James 2:14-17) Doesn't insisting on works contradict passages elsewhere that claim faith alone is sufficient for salvation (e.g., Romans 3:28)?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_matthew_25_stress_good_works.htm">Why does Matthew 25 appear to emphasize good works (Matthew 25:31-46) when other passages stress faith alone (e.g., Romans 3:28)?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_job_25_and_romans_3_22_align.htm">How do these verses in Job 25 reconcile with other biblical texts that affirm human worth and righteousness through faith (e.g., Romans 3:22)?</a> <a href="/q/can_one_be_righteous_(rom_3_10_vs._lk_1_5-6).htm">Can a person be righteous? (Romans 3:10 vs. Luke 1:5-6)</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>(3) For what if.-What (follows) if, &c. Or we may take the first two words by themselves, and throw the next two clauses together. How stands the case? If some rejected the faith, shall their rejection make void or defeat the faithfulness of God?The Apostle considers an objection that might be brought against his argument that the divine revelation vouchsafed to them was a special privilege of the Jewish people. It might be said that they had forfeited and cancelled this privilege by their unbelief. He first reduces the objection to its proper limits; it was not all, but some, who were unbelievers. But granting that there were some who did not believe this fact would have no power to shake the eternal promises of God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - For what if some (τινες. The expression does net denote whether many or few; it only avoids assertion of universality of unbelief (cf. <a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/10-7.htm">1 Corinthians 10:7</a>), though it is implied in the following verso that, even if it had been universal, the argument would stand) did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? Alford renders ἠπίστησαν "were unfaithful," taking it in the sense of being "unfaithful to the covenant, the very condition of which was to walk in the ways of the Lord, and observe his statutes;" and this on the ground that the apostle is not as yet speaking of faith or the want of it, but, in accordance with the idea of the preceding chapter, of ἀδίκια (ver. 5) and moral guilt. But the meaning of words must not be forced to meet the views of interpreters; and we observe that ἀπιστεῖν and ἀπιστία are ever elsewhere used in their proper sense to denote want of faith (cf. <a href="/matthew/13-58.htm">Matthew 13:58</a>; <a href="/matthew/17-20.htm">Matthew 17:20</a>; <a href="/mark/6-6.htm">Mark 6:6</a>; <a href="/mark/16-11.htm">Mark 16:11, 14, 16</a>; <a href="/luke/14-11.htm">Luke 14:11</a>, 41; <a href="/acts/27-24.htm">Acts 27:24</a>; <a href="/romans/4-20.htm">Romans 4:20</a>; <a href="/romans/11-20.htm">Romans 11:20, 23</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">1 Timothy 1:13</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/2-13.htm">2 Timothy 2:13</a>). Still, it is to be observed that in the passage before us ἀπιστία in man is opposed to πίστις in God, so as to suggest a more general sense of ἀπιστία than mere unbelief. In view of this opposition, we may adopt the rendering of the whole passage in the Revised Version: "What if some were without faith? Shall their want of faith," etc.? Meyer and others, understanding (as said above) by λόγια the Divine oracles which were prophetic of Christ, refer ἠπίστησαν exclusively to the disbelief in him on the part of the majority of the Jews at the time of writing. But the aorist tense of the verb, as well as the context, is against the idea of such reference, at any rate exclusively. The context, both in ch. 2. and the latter part of this chapter after ver. 9, certainly suggests rather reference to the failure of the Jews throughout their history to realize the advantage of their privileged position; and this failure might properly be attributed to their want of faith, to the καρτδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας (<a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Hebrews 3:12</a>), cf. <a href="/hebrews/3-19.htm">Hebrews 3:19</a>; <a href="/hebrews/4-2.htm">Hebrews 4:2</a>, together with <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11</a>. Ἀπιστία in these passages is regarded as the root of ἀπειθεία. On the other hand, the whole drift of ch. 11. in this Epistle - where the present ἀπιστία of the chosen people shown in their rejection of the gospel is spoken of as not hindering, but furthering, the righteous purpose of God, and redounding in the end to his glory - suggests a like reference here. And it may have been in the apostle's mind, though, for the reasons above given, it can hardly be the only one in the passage before us. <a href="/commentaries/romans/3-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>What Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. some τινες (tines) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. did not have faith? ἠπίστησάν (ēpistēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_569.htm">Strong's 569: </a> To be unfaithful, disbelieve, refuse belief, prove false. From apistos; to be unbelieving, i.e. disbelieve, or disobey. {Will} their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. lack of faith ἀπιστία (apistia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_570.htm">Strong's 570: </a> Unbelief, unfaithfulness, distrust. From apistos; faithlessness, i.e. disbelief, or unfaithfulness. nullify καταργήσει (katargēsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2673.htm">Strong's 2673: </a> From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively. God’s Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. faithfulness? πίστιν (pistin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/3-3.htm">Romans 3:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">NT Letters: Romans 3:3 For what if some were without faith? 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