Devine Scripture

Romans 3:8

What does Romans 3:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:8 means

Paul rejects a slander that twists his gospel of grace into an excuse for sin: “Let us do evil, that good may come.” Such a conclusion is not an application of grace but a perversion of it. God forbids using his mercy to justify wickedness. Paul states that those who promote this lie deserve condemnation, for they misrepresent both God’s character and the apostolic message. True grace leads to repentance and faith, not calculated rebellion. This verse draws a line between the Gospel, which saves sinners from sin, and a caricature that would make sin a partner in producing good. The latter view is morally and theologically corrupt.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let us not do evil so that good may come (a statement which we are falsely said by some to have made), because such behaviour will have its right punishment.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and not, as we are evil spoken of, and as certain affirm us to say--`We may do the evil things, that the good ones may come?' whose judgment is righteous.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And not rather (as we are slandered and as some affirm that we say) let us do evil that there may come good? Whose damnation is just.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and not, according as we are injuriously charged, and according as some affirm that we say, Let us practise evil things, that good ones may come? whose judgment is just.

Context

This verse closes Paul’s engagement with distorted objections to God’s justice and the gospel’s implications (verses 5–8). By condemning the slanderous idea that evil should be done to bring about good, Paul clears away a major misunderstanding. With those evasions addressed, he turns in verse 9 to the core issue: the universal sinfulness of humanity. Verses 10–18 then assemble multiple Old Testament texts to demonstrate the depth and breadth of human depravity. That indictment prepares the reader for verses 19–20, which explain the law’s role: to stop every mouth and bring knowledge of sin. Only then does Paul announce God’s righteousness revealed apart from the law (verses 21–26).

v.7But if the truth of God through my lie abounded unto his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

v.8This passage

v.9What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin;

Cross references

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

  • Romans 7:7

    What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:

  • Romans 6:1

    What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

  • Matthew 5:11

    Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

  • 1 Peter 3:16

    having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.

  • Romans 5:20

    And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

  • Romans 6:15

    What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Romans 3

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Romans 3.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Romans 3:8.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary