ROM 3:2 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Great in every way! For indeed first, that they were entrusted with the sayings of God.

UST Then I would say, “Being a Jew benefits a person in many ways!” This is certainly true because, first of all, God trusted the Jews with preserving what he had said in the Scriptures.

BLB Much in every way. For chiefly indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

AICNT Much in every way. First of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

OEB Great in every way. First of all, because the Jews were entrusted with God’s utterances.

WEBBE Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Actually, there are many advantages. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

LSV Much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God;

FBV Yes, there are many benefits! First of all, God's message was entrusted to them.

TCNT Much in every way. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

T4T I would reply that being Jews benefits us in many ways [HYP]. First of all, it benefits us because it was to our ancestors that God’s words, words that contain his promises, were given {that God gave his words, words that contain his promises}.

LEB Much in every way. For first, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

BBE Much in every way: first of all because the words of God were given to them.

Moff Much in every way. This to begin with--Jews were entrusted with the scriptures of God.

Wymth The privilege is great from every point of view. First of all, because the Jews were entrusted with God's truth.

ASV Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God.

DRA Much every way. First indeed, because the words of God were committed to them.

YLT much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God;

Drby Much every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles of [fn]God.

3.2 Elohim

RV Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God.

SLT Much according to every manner: for truly first were they trusted with the oracles of God.

Wbstr Much every way: chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God.

KJB-1769 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

KJB-1611 Much euery way: chiefly, because that vnto them were committed the Oracles of God.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation)

Bshps Much euery way. First, for because yt vnto them were committed ye wordes of God.
(Much every way. First, for because it unto them were committed ye/you_all words of God.)

Gnva Much euery maner of way: for chiefly, because vnto them were of credite committed the oracles of God.
(Much every manner of way: for chiefly, because unto them were of credite committed the oracles of God. )

Cvdl Surely very moch. First Vnto them was commytted what God spake.
(Surely very much. First Unto them was committed what God spake.)

TNT Surely very moche. Fyrst vnto them was committed the worde of God
(Surely very much. Fyrst unto them was committed the word of God )

Wycl Myche bi al wise; first, for the spekyngis of God `weren bitakun to hem.
(Myche by all wise; first, for the speakingis of God were bitakun to hem.)

Luth Zwar fast viel. Zum ersten, ihnen ist vertrauet, was GOtt geredet hat.
(Zwar nearly many. Zum first, to_them is trusted, what/which God talked has.)

ClVg Multum per omnem modum. Primum quidem quia credita sunt illis eloquia Dei.[fn]
(Multum through all way. Primum indeed because he_believess are to_them words of_God. )

3.2 Primum quidem, etc. Quasi: Ut alia minora de temporalibus prætermittam, hoc primum et præcipuum pono, quia eloquia Domini, id est lex et prophetæ, eis ut amicis sunt credita: per quæ intelligerent futuram redemptionem. Sed dices: Non ideo plus factum est eis quia non crediderunt eloquiis, ut Christum promissum reciperent quidam eorum. Ad quod respondetur: Non ideo tamen minus profuit credentibus, et hoc est: Nam etsi quidam non crediderunt, non ideo tamen fides evacuata est.

3.2 Primum indeed, etc. Quasi: As other minor from/about temporal besidesmittam, this first and beforecipuum pono, because words Master, that it_is the_law and the_prophets, to_them as friends are he_believess: through which they_would_understand future redemption/buying_back. But you_say: Not/No therefore/for_that_reason plus done it_is to_them because not/no they_believed eloquiis, as Christ/Messiah promised to_receivent some their. To that respondsur: Not/No therefore/for_that_reason nevertheless minus profuit to_believers, and this it_is: For/Surely even_though some not/no they_believed, not/no therefore/for_that_reason nevertheless faith evacuata it_is.

UGNT πολὺ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον. πρῶτον μὲν γὰρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τὰ λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(polu kata panta tropon. prōton men gar hoti episteuthaʸsan ta logia tou Theou.)

SBL-GNT πολὺ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον. πρῶτον μὲν ⸀γὰρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τὰ λόγια τοῦ θεοῦ.
(polu kata panta tropon. prōton men ⸀gar hoti episteuthaʸsan ta logia tou theou.)

RP-GNT Πολὺ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον· πρῶτον μὲν γὰρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τὰ λόγια τοῦ θεοῦ.
(Polu kata panta tropon; prōton men gar hoti episteuthaʸsan ta logia tou theou.)

TC-GNT Πολὺ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον· πρῶτον μὲν γὰρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τὰ λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(Polu kata panta tropon; prōton men gar hoti episteuthaʸsan ta logia tou Theou. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–8: God is faithful and righteous

In chapter two, Paul spoke about some wrong ideas that the Jews had. In this section, Paul spoke to someone, probably a Jew, who might think that Paul implied that God was unfaithful to his covenant with the Jews. Paul showed that regardless of how God’s people had behaved, God was always faithful to what he said.

Keep in mind that Paul himself was a Jew. He knew how Jews thought, and he knew how to answer their objections.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

God is faithful to his covenant even if his people are not

God keeps his word and does what is right

3:2a

Much in every way.

Yes, many benefits in many ways.
There are many big privileges/bonuses in being a Jew.
The benefits/bonuses are great and many!

Much in every way: Paul answered the two rhetorical questions of 3:1 here. This answer indicates that the Jews have great advantages and that circumcision has value. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Great in every respect. (NASB)

Yes, great benefits!

These words are not a full sentence. In some languages this must be a full sentence. For example:

Yes, there are great benefits! (NLT)

There are all kinds of advantages. (GW)

It is good in a lot of ways! (CEV)

3:2b

First of all,

The most important benefit is this:

First of all: There is a textual issue in 3:2b: (1) Some Greek manuscripts do not have the word for (BSB, RSV, NIV, GNT, NJB, NASB, NLT, GW, CEV, NET, REB, ESV, NCV). (2) Some Greek manuscripts have the word for (KJV, NRSV). It is recommended that you follow option (1). There are two interpretations of the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as First of all:

It means first in a list. But Paul did not continue his list.However, he does make such a list in 9:4–5. For example:
In the first place (GNT) (BSB, ESV, RSV, GNT, NABRE, REB)
It means first in importance. The meaning is similar to Mark 12:28: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” For example:
The most important thing is this: (NCV) (KJV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek grammar supports it.Schreiner (page 148) says, “the presence of mèn and polù katà pánta trópon indicates that it refers to the first item in a list (cf. 1:8).’ Barrett, Moo, Alford, Nicoll, and Morris also support interpretation (1).

3:2c

they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

they were given the messages of God to use and protect.
God spoke his words/messages to us^(excl) Jews so that we would follow them and respect them.

they have been entrusted with the very words of God: The word that the BSB translates as they refers to the Jews. This phrase indicates that God gave his words to the ancestors of the Jews. They were to watch over and guard it. They were to prevent anyone from changing it. They were also to follow it and teach it.

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

God entrusted them with his word (GW)

God gave his word to the Jews to watch over

the very words of God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as the very words means “sayings,” “spoken messages,” or “messages that a divine being speaks.” These words would include things that God said to Abraham, Moses, the prophets and others in the Old Testament.The Jews themselves think that in his words to them, God entrusted all his wisdom to them; so what Paul says here is very important to them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the things that God said/promised

God’s message

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πολὺ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολύ κατά παντᾶ τρόπον Πρῶτον μέν γάρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τά λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ)

In this verse Paul responds to the rhetorical questions in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [I would respond by saying, “Great in every way!”]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

πολὺ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολύ κατά παντᾶ τρόπον Πρῶτον μέν γάρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τά λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Paul is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply these words from the previous verse. Alternate translation: [The advantage of the Jew and the benefit of the circumcision are great in every way]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

πολὺ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολύ κατά παντᾶ τρόπον Πρῶτον μέν γάρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τά λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Great in every way is an exaggeration that Paul uses to emphasize the value of being Jewish and being circumcised. Paul does not mean that everything about being a Jew and being circumcised is beneficial. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that shows enthusiasm. Alternate translation: [Great in many ways]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πρῶτον μὲν & ὅτι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολύ κατά παντᾶ τρόπον Πρῶτον μέν γάρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τά λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here, indeed first, that could indicate that: (1) what follows is the first reason in a list of several reasons why being a Jew is beneficial, in which case Paul does not continue the list in this chapter. Alternate translation: [the first of many benefits is indeed that] or [one benefit is indeed that] (2) what follows is the most important reason why being a Jew is beneficial. Alternate translation: [the primary benefit is indeed that] or [the most important thing is indeed that]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐπιστεύθησαν τὰ λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ

˱they˲_˓were˒_entrusted (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολύ κατά παντᾶ τρόπον Πρῶτον μέν γάρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τά λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, Paul implies that “God” did it. Alternate translation: [God entrusted them with his sayings] or [God trusted them with the sayings of God]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὰ λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολύ κατά παντᾶ τρόπον Πρῶτον μέν γάρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τά λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here, the sayings of God could refer to: (1) the entire Old Testament. Alternate translation: [with what God said in the Scriptures] (2) direct speech from God recorded in the Old Testament. Alternate translation: [with the messages that God announced to them in the Scriptures]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὰ λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολύ κατά παντᾶ τρόπον Πρῶτον μέν γάρ ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τά λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here, the possessive form of God could refer to: (1) sayings that came from God. Alternate translation: [with the sayings from God] (2) says that are about God. Alternate translation: [with the sayings about God]

Parallel ROM 3:2

Section 3:1–8: God is faithful and righteous

3:2a

3:2b

3:2c