罗马书 3
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
犹太人独特的地方
3 这样说来，犹太人独特的地方在哪里呢？割礼又有甚么益处呢？ 2 从各方面来说，的确很多。最重要的，是 神的圣言已经托付了他们。 3 即使有人不信，又有甚么关系呢？难道他们的不信会使 神的信实无效吗？ 4 绝不可能！ 神总是诚实的，人却是虚谎的，正如经上所记：
“你在话语上，显为公义；
你被论断时，必然得胜。”
5 我且照着人的见解来说，我们的不义若彰显 神的义，我们可以说甚么呢？难道降怒的 神是不义的吗？ 6 绝对不是！如果是这样， 神怎能审判世界呢？ 7 但是 神的诚实，如果因我的虚谎而更加显出他的荣耀来，为甚么我还要像罪人一样受审判呢？ 8 为甚么不说：“我们去作恶以成善吧！”（有人毁谤我们，说我们讲过这话。）这种人被定罪是理所当然的。
世上一个义人也没有
9 那又怎么样呢？我们比他们强吗？绝不是的。因为我们已经控诉过，无论是犹太人或是希腊人，都在罪恶之下， 10 正如经上所说：
“没有义人，连一个也没有，
11 没有明白的，没有寻求 神的；
12 人人都偏离了正道，一同变成污秽；
没有行善的，连一个也没有。
13 他们的喉咙是敞开的坟墓，
他们用舌头弄诡诈，
他们嘴里有虺蛇的毒，
14 满口是咒骂和恶毒；
15 为了杀人流血，他们的脚步飞快，
16 在经过的路上留下毁灭和悲惨。
17 和睦之道，他们不晓得，
18 他们的眼中也不怕 神。”
19 然而我们晓得，凡律法所说的，都是对在律法之下的人说的，好让每一个人都没有话可讲，使全世界的人都伏在 神的审判之下。 20 没有一个人可以靠行律法，在 神面前得称为义，因为借着律法，人对于罪才有充分的认识。
因信基督白白称义
21 现在，有律法和先知的话可以证明： 神的义在律法之外已经显明出来， 22 就是 神的义，因着信耶稣基督，毫无区别地临到所有信的人。 23 因为人人都犯了罪，亏缺了 神的荣耀， 24 但他们却因着 神的恩典，借着在基督耶稣里的救赎，就白白地称义。 25 神设立了耶稣为赎罪祭（“赎罪祭”直译作“赎罪或使 神息怒之法”），是凭着他的血，借着人的信，为的是要显明 神的义；因为 神用忍耐的心宽容了人从前所犯的罪， 26 好在现今显明他的义，使人知道他自己为义，又称信耶稣的人为义。
27 这样，有甚么可夸的呢？没有可夸的了。凭甚么准则说没有的呢？凭行为吗？不是的，而是以信心为准则说的。 28 因为我们认定，人称义是由于信，并不是靠行律法。 29 难道 神只是犹太人的 神吗？不也是外族人的 神吗？是的，他也是外族人的 神。 30 神既然只有一位，他就以信为准则称受割礼的为义，也要以信为准则称没有受割礼的为义。 31 这样说来，我们以信废掉了律法吗？绝对不是，倒是巩固了律法。
罗马书 3
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
3 那么，犹太人有什么长处呢？割礼有什么价值呢？ 2 其实益处非常多！首先，上帝的圣言托付给了犹太人。 3 虽然有些人不相信，但那有什么关系呢？难道上帝的信实可靠会因他们的不信而化为无有吗？ 4 当然不会！纵然人人都撒谎，上帝仍然真实可靠。正如圣经上说：
“你的判语证明你是公义的；
你虽被人控告，却终必得胜。”
5 我姑且用人的观点说：“如果我们的不义可以反衬出上帝的公义，我们该做何论？上帝向我们发怒是祂不公正吗？” 6 当然不是！若是这样，上帝怎么能审判这世界呢？ 7 你们又说：“如果我们的虚谎凸显出上帝的真实，增加祂的荣耀，为什么祂还要把我们当作罪人审判呢？” 8 为什么你们不干脆说：“我们作恶吧，好成就善事”？有人毁谤我们，说我们传这种道理。这些人受审判是罪有应得！
没有义人
9 那么，我们犹太人比别人优越吗？绝对不是！我们已经说过，无论是犹太人还是希腊人，所有的人都身陷罪中。 10 正如圣经上说：
“没有义人，一个也没有，
11 没有人明白，没有人寻求上帝。
12 人人偏离正路，变得毫无价值。
没有人行善，一个也没有。
13 他们的喉咙是敞开的坟墓，
舌头上尽是诡诈，
嘴唇有蛇的毒液，
14 满口咒诅，言语恶毒；
15 杀人流血，脚步飞快；
16 所到之处，大肆毁灭；
17 平安之路，他们未曾知道；
18 他们眼中毫无对上帝的畏惧。”
19 我们知道律法所讲的都是针对律法之下的人，好叫所有的人都无话可说，使全世界都伏在上帝的审判之下。 20 因为无人能够靠遵行律法而被上帝视为义人，律法的本意是要使人知罪。
因信称义
21 但如今，上帝的义在律法以外显明出来，有律法和众先知做见证。 22 人只要信耶稣基督，就可以被上帝称为义人，没有一个人例外。 23 因为世人都犯了罪，亏欠上帝的荣耀， 24 但蒙上帝的恩典，靠着基督耶稣的救赎，世人被无条件地称为义人。 25 上帝使基督耶稣成为赎罪祭，以便人借着相信耶稣的宝血可以得到赦免。这是为了显明上帝的义，因为祂用忍耐的心宽容人过去的罪， 26 好在现今显明祂的义，使人知道祂是公义的，祂也称信耶稣的为义人。
27 既然如此，我们哪里能夸口呢？当然没有可夸的。靠什么方法让人不能夸口呢？靠遵行律法吗？不是！是靠信主的方法。 28 因为我们坚信人被称为义人是借着信，不是靠遵行律法。 29 难道上帝只是犹太人的上帝吗？祂不也是外族人的上帝吗？祂当然也是外族人的上帝。 30 因为上帝只有一位，祂本着信称受割礼的人为义人，也本着信称未受割礼的人为义人。 31 这么说来，我们是借着信心废掉上帝的律法吗？当然不是！我们反倒是巩固律法。
羅馬書 3
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
3 那麼，猶太人有什麼長處呢？割禮有什麼價值呢？ 2 其實益處非常多！首先，上帝的聖言託付給了猶太人。 3 雖然有些人不相信，但那有什麼關係呢？難道上帝的信實可靠會因他們的不信而化為無有嗎？ 4 當然不會！縱然人人都撒謊，上帝仍然真實可靠。正如聖經上說：
「你的判語證明你是公義的；
你雖被人控告，卻終必得勝。」
5 我姑且用人的觀點說：「如果我們的不義可以反襯出上帝的公義，我們該做何論？上帝向我們發怒是祂不公正嗎？」 6 當然不是！若是這樣，上帝怎麼能審判這世界呢？ 7 你們又說：「如果我們的虛謊凸顯出上帝的真實，增加祂的榮耀，為什麼祂還要把我們當作罪人審判呢？」 8 為什麼你們不乾脆說：「我們作惡吧，好成就善事」？有人毀謗我們，說我們傳這種道理。這些人受審判是罪有應得！
沒有義人
9 那麼，我們猶太人比別人優越嗎？絕對不是！我們已經說過，無論是猶太人還是希臘人，所有的人都身陷罪中。 10 正如聖經上說：
「沒有義人，一個也沒有，
11 沒有人明白，沒有人尋求上帝。
12 人人偏離正路，變得毫無價值。
沒有人行善，一個也沒有。
13 他們的喉嚨是敞開的墳墓，
舌頭上盡是詭詐，
嘴唇有蛇的毒液，
14 滿口咒詛，言語惡毒；
15 殺人流血，腳步飛快；
16 所到之處，大肆毀滅；
17 平安之路，他們未曾知道；
18 他們眼中毫無對上帝的畏懼。」
19 我們知道律法所講的都是針對律法之下的人，好叫所有的人都無話可說，使全世界都伏在上帝的審判之下。 20 因為無人能夠靠遵行律法而被上帝視為義人，律法的本意是要使人知罪。
因信稱義
21 但如今，上帝的義在律法以外顯明出來，有律法和眾先知做見證。 22 人只要信耶穌基督，就可以被上帝稱為義人，沒有一個人例外。 23 因為世人都犯了罪，虧欠上帝的榮耀， 24 但蒙上帝的恩典，靠著基督耶穌的救贖，世人被無條件地稱為義人。 25 上帝使基督耶穌成為贖罪祭，以便人藉著相信耶穌的寶血可以得到赦免。這是為了顯明上帝的義，因為祂用忍耐的心寬容人過去的罪， 26 好在現今顯明祂的義，使人知道祂是公義的，祂也稱信耶穌的為義人。
27 既然如此，我們哪裡能誇口呢？當然沒有可誇的。靠什麼方法讓人不能誇口呢？靠遵守律法嗎？不是！是靠信主的方法。 28 因為我們堅信人被稱為義人是藉著信，不是靠遵行律法。 29 難道上帝只是猶太人的上帝嗎？祂不也是外族人的上帝嗎？祂當然也是外族人的上帝。 30 因為上帝只有一位，祂本著信稱受割禮的人為義人，也本著信稱未受割禮的人為義人。 31 這麼說來，我們是藉著信心廢掉上帝的律法嗎？當然不是！我們反倒是鞏固律法。
Romans 3
New English Translation
3 Therefore what advantage does the Jew have, or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Actually, there are many advantages.[a] First of all,[b] the Jews[c] were entrusted with the oracles of God.[d] 3 What then? If some were unfaithful, their unfaithfulness will not nullify God’s faithfulness, will it? 4 Absolutely not! Let God be proven true, and every human being[e] shown up as a liar,[f] just as it is written: “so that you will be justified[g] in your words and will prevail when you are judged.”[h]
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates[i] the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he? (I am speaking in human terms.)[j] 6 Absolutely not! For otherwise how could God judge the world? 7 For if by my lie the truth of God enhances[k] his glory, why am I still actually being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil so that good may come of it”?—as some who slander us allege that we say.[l] (Their[m] condemnation is deserved!)
The Condemnation of the World
9 What then? Are we better off? Certainly not, for we have already charged that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin, 10 just as it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one,
11 there is no one who understands,
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
together they have become worthless;
there is no one who shows kindness, not even one.”[n]
13 “Their throats are open graves,[o]
they deceive with their tongues,
the poison of asps is under their lips.”[p]
14 “Their mouths are[q] full of cursing and bitterness.”[r]
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16 ruin and misery are in their paths,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”[s]
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[t]
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under[u] the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For no one is declared righteous before him[v] by the works of the law,[w] for through the law comes[x] the knowledge of sin. 21 But now[y] apart from the law the righteousness of God (although it is attested by the law and the prophets)[z] has been disclosed— 22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ[aa] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 But they are justified[ab] freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God publicly displayed[ac] him[ad] at his death[ae] as the mercy seat[af] accessible through faith.[ag] This was to demonstrate[ah] his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed.[ai] 26 This was[aj] also to demonstrate[ak] his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just[al] and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus’ faithfulness.[am]
27 Where, then, is boasting?[an] It is excluded! By what principle?[ao] Of works? No, but by the principle of faith! 28 For we consider that a person[ap] is declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the law.[aq] 29 Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles too? Yes, of the Gentiles too! 30 Since God is one,[ar] he will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then nullify[as] the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead[at] we uphold the law.
Footnotes
- Romans 3:2 tn Grk “much in every way.”
- Romans 3:2 tc ‡ Most witnesses (א A D2 33 M) have γάρ (gar) after μέν (men), though some significant Alexandrian and Western witnesses lack the conjunction (B D* G Ψ 81 365 1506 2464* latt). A few mss have γάρ, but not μέν (6 1739 1881). γάρ was frequently added by scribes as a clarifying conjunction, making it suspect here. NA28 has the γάρ in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.tn Grk “first indeed that.”
- Romans 3:2 tn Grk “they were.”
- Romans 3:2 tn The referent of λόγια (logia, “oracles”) has been variously understood: (1) BDAG 598 s.v. λόγιον takes the term to refer here to “God’s promises to the Jews”; (2) some have taken this to refer more narrowly to the national promises of messianic salvation given to Israel (so S. L. Johnson, Jr., “Studies in Romans: Part VII: The Jews and the Oracles of God,” BSac 130 [1973]: 245); (3) perhaps the most widespread interpretation sees the term as referring to the entire OT generally.
- Romans 3:4 tn Grk “every man,” but ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used in a generic sense here to stress humanity rather than masculinity.
- Romans 3:4 tn Grk “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” The words “proven” and “shown up” are supplied in the translation to clarify the meaning.
- Romans 3:4 tn Grk “might be justified,” a subjunctive verb, but in this type of clause it carries the same sense as the future indicative verb in the latter part. “Will” is more idiomatic in contemporary English.
- Romans 3:4 tn Or “prevail when you judge.” A quotation from Ps 51:4.
- Romans 3:5 tn Or “shows clearly.”
- Romans 3:5 sn The same expression occurs in Gal 3:15, and similar phrases in Rom 6:19 and 1 Cor 9:8.
- Romans 3:7 tn Grk “abounded unto.”
- Romans 3:8 tn Grk “(as we are slandered and some affirm that we say…).”
- Romans 3:8 tn Grk “whose.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, this relative clause was rendered as a new sentence in the translation.
- Romans 3:12 sn Verses 10-12 are a quotation from Ps 14:1-3.
- Romans 3:13 tn Grk “their throat is an opened grave.”
- Romans 3:13 sn A quotation from Pss 5:9; 140:3.
- Romans 3:14 tn Grk “whose mouth is.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Romans 3:14 sn A quotation from Ps 10:7.
- Romans 3:17 sn Rom 3:15-17 is a quotation from Isa 59:7-8.
- Romans 3:18 sn A quotation from Ps 36:1.
- Romans 3:19 tn Grk “in,” “in connection with.”
- Romans 3:20 sn An allusion to Ps 143:2.
- Romans 3:20 tn Grk “because by the works of the law no flesh is justified before him.” Some recent scholars have understood the phrase ἒργα νόμου (erga nomou, “works of the law”) to refer not to obedience to the Mosaic law generally, but specifically to portions of the law that pertain to things like circumcision and dietary laws which set the Jewish people apart from the other nations (e.g., J. D. G. Dunn, Romans [WBC], 1:155). Other interpreters, like C. E. B. Cranfield (“‘The Works of the Law’ in the Epistle to the Romans,” JSNT 43 [1991]: 89-101) reject this narrow interpretation for a number of reasons, among which the most important are: (1) The second half of v. 20, “for through the law comes the knowledge of sin,” is hard to explain if the phrase “works of the law” is understood in a restricted sense; (2) the plural phrase “works of the law” would have to be understood in a different sense from the singular phrase “the work of the law” in 2:15; (3) similar phrases involving the law in Romans (2:13, 14; 2:25, 26, 27; 7:25; 8:4; and 13:8) which are naturally related to the phrase “works of the law” cannot be taken to refer to circumcision (in fact, in 2:25 circumcision is explicitly contrasted with keeping the law). Those interpreters who reject the “narrow” interpretation of “works of the law” understand the phrase to refer to obedience to the Mosaic law in general.
- Romans 3:20 tn Grk “is.”
- Romans 3:21 tn Νυνὶ δέ (Nuni de, “But now”) could be understood as either (1) logical or (2) temporal in force, but most recent interpreters take it as temporal, referring to a new phase in salvation history.
- Romans 3:21 tn Or “which is attested by the law and the prophets.”
- Romans 3:22 tn Or “faith in Christ.” A decision is difficult here. Though traditionally translated “faith in Jesus Christ,” an increasing number of NT scholars are arguing that πίστις Χριστοῦ (pistis Christou) and similar phrases in Paul (here and in v. 26; Gal 2:16, 20; 3:22; Eph 3:12; Phil 3:9) involve a subjective genitive and mean “Christ’s faith” or “Christ’s faithfulness” (cf., e.g., G. Howard, “The ‘Faith of Christ’,” ExpTim 85 [1974]: 212-15; R. B. Hays, The Faith of Jesus Christ [SBLDS]; Morna D. Hooker, “Πίστις Χριστοῦ,” NTS 35 [1989]: 321-42). Noteworthy among the arguments for the subjective genitive view is that when πίστις takes a personal genitive it is almost never an objective genitive (cf. Matt 9:2, 22, 29; Mark 2:5; 5:34; 10:52; Luke 5:20; 7:50; 8:25, 48; 17:19; 18:42; 22:32; Rom 1:8; 12; 3:3; 4:5, 12, 16; 1 Cor 2:5; 15:14, 17; 2 Cor 10:15; Phil 2:17; Col 1:4; 2:5; 1 Thess 1:8; 3:2, 5, 10; 2 Thess 1:3; Titus 1:1; Phlm 6; 1 Pet 1:9, 21; 2 Pet 1:5). On the other hand, the objective genitive view has its adherents: A. Hultgren, “The Pistis Christou Formulations in Paul,” NovT 22 (1980): 248-63; J. D. G. Dunn, “Once More, ΠΙΣΤΙΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ,” SBL Seminar Papers, 1991, 730-44. Most commentaries on Romans and Galatians usually side with the objective view.sn ExSyn 116, which notes that the grammar is not decisive, nevertheless suggests that “the faith/faithfulness of Christ is not a denial of faith in Christ as a Pauline concept (for the idea is expressed in many of the same contexts, only with the verb πιστεύω rather than the noun), but implies that the object of faith is a worthy object, for he himself is faithful.” Though Paul elsewhere teaches justification by faith, this presupposes that the object of our faith is reliable and worthy of such faith.
- Romans 3:24 tn Or “declared righteous.” Grk “being justified,” as a continuation of the preceding clause. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Romans 3:25 tn Or “purposed, intended.”
- Romans 3:25 tn Grk “whom God publicly displayed.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Romans 3:25 tn Grk “in his blood.” The prepositional phrase ἐν τῷ αὐτοῦ αἵματι (en tō autou haimati) is difficult to interpret. It is traditionally understood to refer to the atoning sacrifice Jesus made when he shed his blood on the cross, and as a modifier of ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion). This interpretation fits if ἱλαστήριον is taken to refer to a sacrifice. But if ἱλαστήριον is taken to refer to the place where atonement is made as this translation has done (see note on the phrase “mercy seat”), this interpretation of ἐν τῷ αὐτοῦ αἵματι creates a violent mixed metaphor. Within a few words Paul would switch from referring to Jesus as the place where atonement was made to referring to Jesus as the atoning sacrifice itself. A viable option which resolves this problem is to see ἐν τῷ αὐτοῦ αἵματι as modifying the verb προέθετο (proetheto). If it modifies the verb, it would explain the time or place in which God publicly displayed Jesus as the mercy seat; the reference to blood would be a metaphorical way of speaking of Jesus’ death. This is supported by the placement of ἐν τῷ αὐτοῦ αἵματι in the Greek text (it follows the noun, separated from it by another prepositional phrase) and by stylistic parallels with Rom 1:4. This is the interpretation the translation has followed, although it is recognized that many interpreters favor different options and translations. The prepositional phrase has been moved forward in the sentence to emphasize its connection with the verb, and the referent of the metaphorical language has been specified in the translation. For a detailed discussion of this interpretation, see D. P. Bailey, “Jesus As the Mercy Seat: The Semantics and Theology of Paul’s Use of Hilasterion in Romans 3:25” (Ph.D. diss., University of Cambridge, 1999).
- Romans 3:25 tn The word ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion) may carry the general sense “place of satisfaction,” referring to the place where God’s wrath toward sin is satisfied. More likely, though, it refers specifically to the “mercy seat,” i.e., the covering of the ark where the blood was sprinkled in the OT ritual on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This term is used only one other time in the NT: Heb 9:5, where it is rendered “mercy seat.” There it describes the altar in the most holy place (holy of holies). Thus Paul is saying that God displayed Jesus as the “mercy seat,” the place where propitiation was accomplished. See N. S. L. Fryer, “The Meaning and Translation of Hilasterion in Romans 3:25, ” EvQ 59 (1987): 99-116, who concludes the term is a neuter accusative substantive best translated “mercy seat” or “propitiatory covering,” and D. P. Bailey, “Jesus As the Mercy Seat: The Semantics and Theology of Paul’s Use of Hilasterion in Romans 3:25” (Ph.D. diss., University of Cambridge, 1999), who argues that this is a direct reference to the mercy seat which covered the ark of the covenant.
- Romans 3:25 tn The prepositional phrase διὰ πίστεως (dia pisteōs) here modifies the noun ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion). As such it forms a complete noun phrase and could be written as “mercy-seat-accessible-through-faith” to emphasize the singular idea. See Rom 1:4 for a similar construction. The word “accessible” is not in the Greek text but has been supplied to clarify the idea expressed by the prepositional phrase (cf. NRSV “effective through faith”).
- Romans 3:25 tn Grk “for a demonstration,” giving the purpose of God’s action in v. 25a. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Romans 3:25 tn Grk “because of the passing over of sins previously committed in the forbearance of God.”
- Romans 3:26 tn The words “This was” have been repeated from the previous verse to clarify that this is a continuation of that thought. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Romans 3:26 tn Grk “toward a demonstration,” repeating and expanding the purpose of God’s action in v. 25a.
- Romans 3:26 tn Or “righteous.”
- Romans 3:26 tn Or “of the one who has faith in Jesus.” See note on “faithfulness of Jesus Christ” in v. 22 for the rationale behind the translation “Jesus’ faithfulness.”
- Romans 3:27 tn Although a number of interpreters understand the “boasting” here to refer to Jewish boasting, others (e.g. C. E. B. Cranfield, “‘The Works of the Law’ in the Epistle to the Romans,” JSNT 43 [1991]: 96) take the phrase to refer to all human boasting before God.
- Romans 3:27 tn Grk “By what sort of law?”
- Romans 3:28 tn Here ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) is used in an indefinite and general sense (BDAG 81 s.v. ἄνθρωπος 4.a.γ).
- Romans 3:28 tn See the note on the phrase “works of the law” in Rom 3:20.
- Romans 3:30 tn Grk “but if indeed God is one.”
- Romans 3:31 tn Grk “render inoperative.”
- Romans 3:31 tn Grk “but” (Greek ἀλλά, alla).
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