The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• The Calvin Translation Society, Instituted In May M.DCCC.XLIII.
• Translator’s Preface.
• Commentaries On the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans.
• The Epistle Dedicatory.
• Epistle to the Romans.: the Argument.
• Chapter I.
• Chapter II.
• Chapter III.
• Chapter IV.
• Chapter V.
• Chapter VI.
• Chapter VII.
• Chapter VIII.
• Chapter IX.
• Chapter X.
• Chapter XI.
• Chapter XII.
• Chapter XIII.
• Chapter XIV.
• Chapter XV. 1
• Chapter XVI.
• A Translation of Calvin’s Version of the Epistle to the Romans.
• Chapter I.
• Chapter II.
• Chapter III.
• Chapter IV.
• Chapter V.
• Chapter VI.
• Chapter VII.
• Chapter VIII.
• Chapter IX.
• Chapter X.
• Chapter XI.
• Chapter XII.
• Chapter XIII.
• Chapter XIV.
• Chapter XV.
• Chapter XVI.
• Errata.
• Works Published By T. and T. Clark, Edinburgh.

CHAPTER III.

1What then is the privilege of the Jew, or what is the benefit2 of circumcision? Much in every way; and first indeed, because to them have been intrusted the oracles of God.

3What indeed if some have not believed? Shall their unbelief4 render void the faithfulness of God? By no means; but let God be true, and every man false, as it is written, “That thou mightest be justified in thy words, and overcome when5 thou art judged.” But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who6 executes wrath? (according to man I speak:) by no means;7 for how then shall God judge the world? If indeed the truth of God has through my falsehood redounded to his glory, why8 still am even I judged as asinner,—and why not (as we are reproached, and as some declare that we say) “Let us do evils, that good things may come?” the judgment of whom is just.

9What then? do we excel? Not at all; for we have before brought a charge against both Jews and Greeks, that they are10 all under sin; as it is written, “There is none righteous, not11 indeed one; there is none who understands, there is none who12 seeks God; all have turned aside; they have become together unprofitable; there is none who doeth kindness, no, not even13 one: An open grave is their throat; with their tongues have14 they dealt deceitfully: The poison of asps is under their lips:15 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Swift are their16 feet to shed blood; ruin and misery are in their ways; and17 the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of18 God before their eyes.”

19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and20 the whole world may become guilty before God: because no flesh shall by the works of the law be justified before him, since by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,22 being approved by the law and the Prophets,—even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, which is to all and upon all who believe: there is indeed no difference; for23 all have sinned, and are become destitute of the glory of God;24and they are justified gratuitously by his grace through the redemption25 which is in Christ Jesus; whom God has set forth as a propitiatory through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of26 his righteousness on account of the remission of sins, which before existed through the forbearance of God,—for a demonstration of his righteousness, at this time, that he might be just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.

27Where then is glorying? It is excluded: by what law? of28 works? no; but by the law of faith. We then conclude, that29 by faith is man justified without the works of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? and not also of the Gentiles? Yes,30 of the Gentiles also; since one is God, who will justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through faith.31 Do we then make void the law by faith? By no means; but we confirm the law.