The Jews and the Law

¹⁷ Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;^{(A) 18} if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; ¹⁹ if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— ²¹ you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?^{(B) 22} You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?^{(C) 23} You who boast in the law,^(D) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ²⁴ As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”^[a](E)

²⁵ Circumcision has value if you observe the law,^(F) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.^{(G) 26} So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,^(H) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?^{(I) 27} The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you^(J) who, even though you have the^[b] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,^(K) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.^{(L) 29} No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,^(M) by the Spirit,^(N) not by the written code.^(O) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.^(P)

God’s Faithfulness

3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? ² Much in every way!^(Q) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.^(R)

³ What if some were unfaithful?^(S) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?^{(T) 4} Not at all! Let God be true,^(U) and every human being a liar.^(V) As it is written:

⁵ But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,^(X) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)^{(Y) 6} Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?^{(Z) 7} Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,^(AA) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”^{(AB) 8} Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?^(AC) Their condemnation is just!

No One Is Righteous

⁹ What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage?^(AD) Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.^{(AE) 10} As it is written:

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says,^(AL) it says to those who are under the law,^(AM) so that every mouth may be silenced^(AN) and the whole world held accountable to God.^{(AO) 20} Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(AP) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(AQ)