Romans 3:30
since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Paul uses "by faith" for Jews and "through faith" for Gentiles not to create a distinction, but to subtly highlight that faith is the same core principle for both, even if its historical context differed for each group. This emphasizes that God, being one, deals with all people through the same singular pathway of faith in His Son.
Paul is dismantling any notion that salvation comes through religious works or heritage, proving that both Jews and Gentiles are equally under sin. He then uses the fact that there is only one God to argue that He must justify both groups in the same way. This passage builds on the preceding verses that have established God as the justifier of all who believe, regardless of their background.
How can God be the God of both Jews and Gentiles? The answer lies in His very nature.
Paul's argument hinges on a foundational truth: there is only ONE God.
Jews relied on circumcision, Gentiles on… what? Paul says it’s the same for both.
Paul uses slightly different wording – 'by faith' for the circumcised (Jews) and 'through faith' for the uncircumcised (Gentiles) – but the meaning is unified.
Understand the original words
heis · Greek Adjective
The fundamental theological reality that there is only one God, who is consistent in His nature, purpose, and plan of salvation for all of humanity.
peritomēs · Greek Noun
The sign of the Old Testament covenant given to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing the setting apart of a people for God. Paul argues that its physical application does not determine one's standing before God.
This passage speaks of God foreseeing that He would justify the Gentiles by faith, directly paralleling the idea in Romans 3:30 that justification is by faith for all nations.
Deuteronomy 6:4This foundational Jewish declaration of God's oneness ('Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.') underpins Paul's argument that since there is only one God, salvation cannot be exclusive to one group but must be accessible to all through faith.
Ephesians 2:14Paul explains that Christ 'broke down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility,' which relates to how the one God in Romans 3:30 justifies both Jew ('circumcision') and Gentile ('uncircumcision') by faith, unifying them through Christ.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's realization that 'God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him' directly supports the concept that the one God justifies people from all backgrounds by faith, as stated in Romans 3:30.
ellicottRomans 3:30: "Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith."
(30) Seeing it is . . . —With a slight change of reading, if at least; if, as we are sure is the case. The argument is strictly logical. If there is to be any distinction between Jew and Gentile, this can only be upon the assumption either that there are more gods than one by whom they will be justified, or that they will be justified by some different law, in some different way…
henryRomans 3:27-31: "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith."
3:27-31 God will have the great work of the justification and salvation of sinners carried on from first to last, so as to shut out boasting. Now, if we were saved by our own works, boasting would not be excluded. But the way of justification by faith for ever shuts out boasting. Yet believers are not left to be lawless; faith is a law, it is a working grace, wherever it is in truth. B…
Paul uses "by faith" for Jews and "through faith" for Gentiles not to create a distinction, but to subtly highlight that faith is the same core principle for both, even if its historical context differed for each group. This emphasizes that God, being one, deals with all people through the same singular pathway of faith in His Son.
Paul is dismantling any notion that salvation comes through religious works or heritage, proving that both Jews and Gentiles are equally under sin. He then uses the fact that there is only one God to argue that He must justify both groups in the same way. This passage builds on the preceding verses that have established God as the justifier of all who believe, regardless of their background.
Paul is dismantling any notion that salvation comes through religious works or heritage, proving that both Jews and Gentiles are equally under sin. He then uses the fact that there is only God to argue that He must justify both groups in the same way. This passage builds on the preceding verses that have established God as the justifier of all who believe, regardless of their background.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Romans 3:30 is available in the Sola app.
"since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith." — Paul uses "by faith" for Jews and "through faith" for Gentiles not to create a distinction, but to subtly highlight that faith is the same core principle for both, even if its historical context diff…
