Devine Scripture

Romans 3:30

What does Romans 3:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:30 means

There is one God, and he justifies both the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. The slight variation in wording underscores a single reality: the mode is the same—faith—regardless of background. Circumcision does not provide a different track to acceptance with God. This preserves both God’s unity and his impartiality. Salvation is not a two-tier system; there is one saving righteousness for all, found in Christ and received by faith. This statement lifts a heavy burden from conscience and from community life, calling believers from every background to stand side by side on equal ground at the cross.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If God is one; and he will give righteousness because of faith to those who have circumcision, and through faith to those who have not circumcision.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

yes, also of nations; since one <FI>is<Fi> God who shall declare righteous the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through the faith.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For it is one God that justifieth circumcision by faith and uncircumcision through faith.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

since indeed [it is] oneGod who shall justify [the] circumcision on the principle of faith, and uncircumcision by faith.

Context

Building on verse 29’s assertion that God is God of Jews and Gentiles, this verse declares the means of justification for both: faith. The oneness of God demands the oneness of his saving way. With this unity established, Paul moves in verse 31 to preempt an objection—that this teaching nullifies the law. He answers emphatically that faith upholds the law. This sets the stage for chapter 4, where Abraham will be presented as the exemplar of justification by faith, showing that this has always been God’s way, as the law and the prophets themselves bear witness.

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

v.30This passage

v.31Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.

Cross references

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

  • Galatians 3:28

    There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.

  • Galatians 3:8

    And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.

  • Galatians 2:14

    But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

  • Colossians 2:10

    and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

  • Philippians 3:3

    for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

  • Romans 10:12

    For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him:

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