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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Romans 3:5–9

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

25 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 5

  1. Romans 6:19Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

  2. Galatians 3:15Rank 2 from verse 5
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    15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

  3. 1 Corinthians 9:8Rank 3 from verse 5
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    8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

  4. Romans 2:5Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  5. Romans 9:18–20Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

    19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

    20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

From verse 6

  1. Genesis 18:25Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

  2. Acts 17:31Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

  3. Job 8:3Rank 3 from verse 6
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    3Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

  4. Job 34:17–19Rank 4 from verse 6
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    17Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

    18Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

    19How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

  5. Psalms 50:6Rank 5 from verse 6
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    6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

From verse 7

  1. Romans 3:4Rank 1 from verse 7
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    4God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

  2. Romans 9:19–20Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

    20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

  3. Acts 13:27–29Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    27For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

    28And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

    29And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

  4. 2 Kings 8:10–15Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    10And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die.

    11And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.

    12And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.

    13And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.

    14So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.

    15And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

  5. Isaiah 10:6–7Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

    7Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

From verse 8

  1. Romans 6:1Rank 1 from verse 8
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    1WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

  2. Romans 6:15Rank 2 from verse 8
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    15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

  3. Romans 5:20Rank 3 from verse 8
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    20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

  4. Romans 7:7Rank 4 from verse 8
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    7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

  5. 1 Peter 3:16–17Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

    17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

From verse 9

  1. Galatians 3:22Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

  2. Romans 6:15Rank 2 from verse 9
    Open

    15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

  3. Isaiah 65:5Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

  4. Romans 11:32Rank 4 from verse 9
    Open

    32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

  5. Romans 3:22–23Rank 5 from verse 9
    Open

    22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

    23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 3:5

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

unrighteousness

↗

Injustice, wickedness, or violation of divine law and the principles of justice and equity.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

commend

↗

Sense 1: To entrust to another's care. Sense 2: To praise or recommend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

unrighteous

↗

Sense 1: Not righteous, just, upright, lawful, fair, or morally right; wicked, dishonest, sinful, or opposed to God’s standard. Sense 2: Persons so characterized.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

taketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of take: receives, seizes, carries, accepts, chooses, or lays hold of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

speak

↗

Sense 1: To utter words or articulate sounds, or to use a language. Sense 2: To address or converse with someone. Sense 3: To state, declare, make mention of, or otherwise make a matter known.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 3:6

COMBINED MEANING

God forbid

↗

An emphatic expression of rejection, abhorrence, or denial: let it not be; certainly not.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

judge

↗

Sense 1: A person or authority who hears, discerns, decides, governs, vindicates, condemns, or administers justice. Sense 2: To examine, distinguish, determine, form a verdict, rule, govern, condemn, punish, vindicate, or call to account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 3:7

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

truth

↗

1. That which is true; conformity to fact or reality. 2. Faithfulness. 3. God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

abounded

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of abound (to have or possess in great quantity; to be copiously supplied; followed by with or in).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lie

↗

Sense 1: To recline, rest, remain, or be situated. Sense 2: In ‘lie with,’ to have sexual intercourse. Sense 3: To speak falsely. Sense 4: A false statement or deception.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

glory

↗

Sense 1: Splendour, honour, praise, majesty, or a ground of rejoicing or boasting. Sense 2: To boast, exult, take pride, or rejoice in a person or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

yet

↗

1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

judged

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of judge, meaning to examine, distinguish, determine, form a verdict, rule, govern, condemn, punish, vindicate, or call to account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 3:8

COMBINED MEANING

reported

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of report, meaning to tell, relate, or make known.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

damnation

↗

Sense 1: Condemnation; an adverse judgment or sentence. Sense 2: The punishment or destruction resulting from such judgment.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 3:9

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

proved

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of prove, meaning to test, try, examine, or establish as true by evidence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sin

↗

1. Wrongdoing against God and his law; transgression or unrighteousness. 2. The guilt or burden of such wrongdoing, or the inward principle so named. 3. As a verb, to commit such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

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Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Romans 3:1–20

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

3:1WHAT advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

3:2Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3:3For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

3:4God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

3:5But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

Selected passage

3:6God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

Selected passage

3:7For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

Selected passage

3:8And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Selected passage

3:9What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

Selected passage

3:10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

3:11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

3:12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

3:13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

3:14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

3:15Their feet are swift to shed blood:

3:16Destruction and misery are in their ways:

3:17And the way of peace have they not known:

3:18There is no fear of God before their eyes.

3:19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

3:20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

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