Devine Scripture

Romans 3:29

What does Romans 3:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:29 means

Paul asks if God belongs to the Jews alone. Since God is one, he is also the God of the Gentiles. Monotheism entails a universal horizon of salvation. If there were many gods, there might be many ways; but with one God, there is one way that must be open to all. This question breaks down ethnic exclusivism and prepares for the assertion that both groups are justified by the same faith. God’s oneness is not bare theology; it is the ground of the church’s unity. The God who created all intends to redeem from all peoples through the same gracious provision in Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Or is God the God of Jews only? is he not in the same way the God of Gentiles? Yes, of Gentiles:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

The God of Jews only <FI>is He<Fi> , and not also of nations?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? yes, of the Gentiles also.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Is [God] theGod of Jews only? is he not of [the] nations also? Yea, of nations also:

Context

Having concluded that justification is by faith (verse 28), Paul turns to its scope. Verse 29 confronts any notion that God is a tribal deity. The God of Israel is the God of the nations. Verse 30 will confirm that, since God is one, he justifies both circumcised and uncircumcised through faith. This guards the unity of the church and the consistency of the Gospel. Verse 31 will then address the law: does this make the law void? Paul denies it, arguing that faith upholds the law. Thus, the implications of justification by faith include not only humility but also the inclusion of Gentiles on equal terms with Jews.

v.28We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

v.29This passage

v.30if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 16:15

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

  • Romans 1:16

    For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

  • Jeremiah 16:19

    O Jehovah, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, unto thee shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited nought but lies, even vanity and things wherein there is no profit.

  • Zechariah 8:20

    Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities;

  • Acts 26:17

    delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,

  • Acts 9:15

    But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:

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