Devine Scripture

Romans 3:28

What does Romans 3:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:28 means

Paul summarizes his argument: a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Faith is not a work that earns; it is trust that receives. “Apart from works” does not demean obedience; it puts obedience in its proper place as fruit, not root. This conclusion is essential for assurance and unity. If works contributed to justification, confidence would rest in our performance, and distinctions would persist. But justification by faith rests on Christ’s finished work and opens the same door to all. The verdict of righteous is pronounced on believers now, not after a lifetime of tallying deeds.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason, then, a man may get righteousness by faith without the works of the law.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

therefore do we reckon a man to be declared righteous by faith, apart from works of law.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for we reckon that a man is justified by faith, without works of law.

Context

This verse serves as Paul’s formal conclusion to the doctrinal argument built in verses 19–26 and explained in verse 27: justification is by faith, not by works of the law. The next two verses (29–30) explore the implications for Jew and Gentile alike—there is one God, and he justifies both on the same basis. Paul will then preempt a potential objection in verse 31, insisting that this doctrine does not undermine the law but fulfills its true purpose. The flow ensures that the doctrine of justification by faith fosters both assurance before God and harmony among God’s people.

v.27Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith.

v.28This passage

v.29Or is God the God of Jews only? is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yea, of Gentiles also:

Cross references

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

  • Romans 4:5

    But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.

  • Galatians 2:16

    yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

  • John 3:14

    And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up;

  • Romans 3:26

    for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.

  • Romans 8:3

    For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

  • Philippians 3:9

    and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:

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