Romans 3:2

2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Romans 3:2 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.
The Message Bible (MSG)
2 As it turns out, it makes a lot of difference - but not the difference so many have assumed.
American Standard Version (ASV)
2 Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
2 There are all kinds of advantages. First of all, God entrusted them with his word.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the spoken words of God.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
2 There is great value in every way! First of all, the Jews have been given the very words of God.

Romans 3:2 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 3:2

Much every way
The circumcised Jew has greatly the advantage of the uncircumcised Gentile, (Mynp lkm) , "in all respects", (du lk le) , "on every side", as the Rabbins speak; phrases to which this in the text answers:

chiefly;
more especially, particularly, and in the first place;

because that unto them were committed the oracles of God;
by which are meant the law of Moses, and the writings of the prophets, the institutions of the ceremonial law, and the prophecies of the Messiah and the Gospel church state; and in a word, all the books of the Old Testament, and whatsoever is contained in them; which are called so, because they are of divine inspiration, contain the mind and will of God, and are infallible and authoritative: and it was the privilege and profit of the Jews that they were intrusted with them, when other nations were not, and so had the advantage of them; they had them for their own use; for hereby they had a more clear and distinct knowledge of God than the Gentiles could have by the light of nature; and besides, became acquainted with the doctrines of a trinity of persons in the Godhead, of the sonship and deity of the Messiah, of the sacrifice, satisfaction, and righteousness of the Redeemer, and of salvation by him; and also with the manner of worshipping of God according to his will; all which the Gentiles were ignorant of. Moreover, they had the honour of being the keepers of these sacred books, these divine oracles, and of transmitting them to posterity, for the use of others.

Romans 3:2 In-Context

1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?
2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?
4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)

Cross References 2

  • 1. Romans 9:4,5
  • 2. Deuteronomy 4:8; Psalms 147:19; Acts 7:38
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