Romans 3:30

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 3:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.
Romans 3:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Seeing it is one God, etc..] God is one in nature and essence, though there are three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; whence it appears, that he that is the God of the Jews, is also the God of the Gentiles, or there would be more gods than one; and that these are justified in one and the same manner, or God must be divided; for God, as he is one in nature, so he is one in will, in his promises, and in the methods of his grace: which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. The objects of justification are “the circumcision”, the circumcised Jews, and “the uncircumcision”, the uncircumcised Gentiles; the circumcision of the one does not…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“it is one God who shall justify--"has unchangeably fixed that He shall justify." the circumcision by--"of" faith, and the uncircumcision through faith--probably this is but a varied statement of the same truth for greater emphasis (see Rom 3:22); though BENGEL thinks that the justification of the Jews, as the born heirs of the promise, may be here purposely said to be "of faith," while that of the Gentiles, previously "strangers to the covenants of promise," may be said to be "through faith," as thus admitted into a new family. Objection:”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Is he the God ... - The Jews supposed that he was the God of their nation only, that they only were to be admitted to his favor. In these verses Paul showed that as all had alike sinned, Jews and Gentiles; and as the plan of salvation by faith was adapted to sinners, without any special reference to Jews; so God could show favors to all, and all might be admitted on the same terms to the benefits of the plan of salvation. It is one God - The same God, there is but one, and his plan is equally suited to Jews and Gentiles. The circumcision - Those who are circumcised - the Jews. The uncircumcision - Gentiles; all who were not Jews. By faith ...through faith - There is no difference in the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Seeing it is one God who - Shows mercy to both, and by the very same means. Romans 3:31”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Rom 3:28, Rom 4:11, Rom 4:12, Rom 10:12, Rom 10:13; Gal 2:14-16, Gal 3:8, Gal 3:20, Gal 3:28, Gal 5:6, Gal 6:15; Phi 3:3; Col 2:10, Col 2:11 Romans 3:31”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification