Romans 3:1–4
Paul asks whether human unfaithfulness cancels God's faithfulness
Study it word by word1What then is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?
2Much in every way. First of all, it is that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
3What then? If some were unfaithful, their unfaithfulness will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?
4By no means! Rather, let God be true, and every human being a liar, as it is written: So that you may be declared righteous in your words and prevail when you are judged.
In its context
…
5But if our unrighteousness shows the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God, who inflicts wrath, is not unrighteous, is he? (I speak in a human way.)
6By no means! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?
Its words in the original
- περισσὸνperisson· abundant, more
What is extra, beyond; abundant.
- ἸουδαίουIoudaiou· Jew, Judean
Jew, Judean: one of the people of Judah; in the New Testament it often means the leaders of the people.
- ὠφέλειαōpheleia· benefit
Benefit, advantage, use.
- περιτομῆςperitomēs· circumcision
Circumcision, the cutting of the foreskin that was the sign of the covenant with Abraham; also the circumcised, that is, the Jews.
- πολὺpoly· much, many
Much, great; in the plural, many.
- τρόπονtropon· way, manner
Way, manner; manner of life, character.
- πρῶτονprōton· first
First, foremost.
- ἐπιστεύθησανepisteuthēsan· believe
Believe, trust.
- λόγιαlogia· oracles
Oracles: words spoken by God.
- θεοῦtheou· God, god
God. In the plural or in another sense, "gods".
- ἠπίστησάνēpistēsan· disbelieve
Not believe, refuse to believe; be unfaithful.
- ἀπιστίαapistia· unbelief
Unbelief, lack of faith.
- πίστινpistin· faith
Faith: firm trust in God; also faithfulness.
- καταργήσειkatargēsei· nullify, abolish
Make ineffective, nullify, abolish; in the passive, be brought to an end or be released from something.
- γένοιτοgenoito· become, happen
Become, happen, come about; be born.
- ἀληθήςalēthēs· true, truthful
True, truthful.
- ἄνθρωποςanthrōpos· human being, man
Human being, person, man (without distinguishing male or female).
- ψεύστηςpseustēs· liar
Liar, someone who tells lies.
- γέγραπταιgegraptai· write
Write. "It is written": that is what the Scriptures say.
- δικαιωθῇςdikaiōthēis· declare righteous
Declare righteous: pronounce someone right before God, acquit; also show to be right. In the passive, "be declared righteous", "be acquitted".
- λόγοιςlogois· word
Word, saying, message; also reason, cause, account.
- νικήσειςnikēseis· conquer, overcome
Conquer, overcome.
- κρίνεσθαίkrinesthai· judge
Judge; in the passive, be judged, go to court.