Devine Scripture

Romans 3:1

What does Romans 3:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:1 means

Paul raises an anticipated question: if, as he has argued, outward Jewish identity and circumcision cannot secure righteousness before God, is there any real advantage to being a Jew? The question faces the tension between privilege and responsibility. It invites the reader to think carefully about how God’s purposes work through a chosen people without granting them automatic salvation. Paul is not denying Israel’s place in God’s plan. He is preparing to define it properly. The advantage, whatever it is, must be measured not by human boasting but by God’s revelation and intention. The question opens the door to clarify grace, covenant, and accountability before God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

How then is the Jew better off? or what profit is there in circumcision?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

What, then, <FI>is<Fi> the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of the circumcision?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

What advantage then hath the Jew: or what is the profit of circumcision?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

What then [is] the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision?

Context

This verse follows Paul’s exposure in chapter 2 of hollow reliance on Jewish identity and circumcision. A fair listener could ask whether Jewish distinctives mean anything. Verse 1 frames that very concern to show Paul’s argument is not anti-Jewish but pro-Gospel. The next verse begins to answer by naming a chief advantage. Then verses 3–8 tackle further objections about God’s faithfulness and justice. After that, verses 9–20 establish universal guilt before God. The chapter then turns to the unveiling of God’s righteousness apart from the law (verses 21–26), concluding with the implications for boasting, Jew and Gentile, and the law (verses 27–31).

v.1This passage

v.2Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Malachi 3:14

    Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts?

  • Isaiah 1:11

    What unto me is the multitude of your sacrifices? saith Jehovah: I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats.

  • Romans 2:25

    For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.

  • Ecclesiastes 6:8

    For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?

  • 1 Corinthians 15:32

    If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.

  • Ecclesiastes 6:11

    Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

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