Devine Scripture

Romans 3:2

What does Romans 3:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:2 means

Paul affirms there is a real and weighty advantage: the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. Their privilege was not political or merely ceremonial; it was spiritual stewardship. God put his words, promises, and self-revelation into their care. This means Israel served as a vessel through which God made himself known to the world. Such trust brings dignity and responsibility. Being near the light does not save by itself, but it does reveal the way of salvation. The Jews’ advantage, properly understood, is access to divine truth that points to God’s redemptive plan and calls for faith and obedience from the heart.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Much in every way: first of all because the words of God were given to them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Much every way. First indeed, because the words of God were committed to them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Much every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles ofGod.

Context

Having raised the question of Jewish advantage, Paul now names the foremost privilege: possession of God’s revealed words. This respectful acknowledgment guards against the misunderstanding that Paul despises Israel’s heritage. Yet it also sets the stage for his next point: the failure of some to believe does not cancel God’s faithfulness (verse 3). Paul will handle objections about whether divine justice is compromised when human sin serves to display God’s righteousness (verses 5–8). Once those objections are cleared away, he will return to the core thesis that all, Jews and Greeks alike, are under sin and need God’s righteousness revealed in Christ (verses 9–26).

v.1What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?

v.2This passage

v.3For what if some were without faith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God?

Cross references

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

  • Nehemiah 9:13

    Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,

  • 2 Corinthians 5:19

    to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

  • Revelation 19:10

    And I fell down before his feet to worship him. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

  • Galatians 2:7

    but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the circumcision

  • 1 Timothy 6:20

    O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

  • Psalms 78:4

    We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of Jehovah, And his strength, and his wondrous works that he hath done.

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