Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

ROMANS 3:30KJV
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Romans 3:30 (KJV)

What does Romans 3:30 mean?

Romans 3:30 says that there is only one God, and this one God will declare both Jews ("the circumcision") and non-Jews ("the uncircumcision") to be right with Him, but in both cases it is through faith. The verse emphasizes that God treats all people the same way when it comes to being made right with Him.

Paul is writing to the church in Rome, which included both Jewish and non-Jewish believers, to explain that God’s way of making people right with Himself does not depend on their background or religious rituals. Instead, what matters is faith—trusting in God. This statement is part of Paul’s larger argument that everyone, regardless of their heritage, stands equal before God and is justified by faith, not by following the law.

The Greek behind Romans 3:30

  • ἑν (hen, "one"): This word stresses that God is not divided or different for Jews and Gentiles; there is a single, unified God for all people.
  • δικαιώσει (dikaiōsei, "justify"): This verb means to declare someone righteous or in right standing. Paul uses it to show that both groups are accepted by God in the same way.
  • ἐκ πίστεως (ek pisteōs, "by faith") and διὰ τῆς πίστεως (dia tēs pisteōs, "through faith"): Paul uses two slightly different Greek phrases for "by faith" and "through faith," but both point to faith as the means by which people are justified, regardless of their background.

Why Romans 3:30 matters

  • Romans 3:30 clears up the idea that God might have different standards for different groups; Paul insists there is only one God and one way of being made right with Him.
  • This verse highlights the central role of faith, not religious rituals or heritage, in being justified before God, which was a major shift for both Jewish and Gentile listeners.
  • Romans 3:30 ties together Paul’s argument in the surrounding verses that all people are on equal footing before God and that salvation is available to everyone on the same basis.

Where else these words appear

“uncircumcision” Greek G203 · used in 17 verses

  • Acts 11:3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
  • Romans 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
  • Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

“circumcision” Greek G4061 · used in 32 verses

  • John 7:22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision;(not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
  • Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
  • Galatians 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

“justify” Greek G1344 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
  • Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.