Romans 3:19 Cross References - AUV

¹⁹ Now we [all] know that everything the law says applies to those who are under [obligation to obey] that law, [Note: Here “the law” appears to refer to the Old Testament Scriptures generally, since Psalms and Isaiah are quoted. See verses 10-18]. This is so that the mouth of every objector may be stopped [i.e., from making excuses for his sin], and thereby bring the entire world under God’s judgment [i.e., both Jews and Gentiles].

¹² He said to the man, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wearing the proper wedding outfit?’ And he could not say a word. ¹³ Then the king said to his servants, ‘Tie him up, hand and foot, and throw him into [a place of] outer darkness where there will be crying and excruciating pain.’

⁹ And when they heard [what He had said], they [all] left, one at a time, beginning with the oldest men. So, Jesus was left alone with the woman [still standing] there where she was.

³⁴ Jesus replied to them, “Is it not written in your law [Psa. 82:6], ‘I said, you people are gods’? ³⁵ If God called those people, to whom His message came, “gods” (and Scripture cannot be set aside),

²⁵ This all happened so the Scripture, written in their law [Psa. 35:19], would be fulfilled, ‘They hated me for no reason.’

²⁰ For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities of eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, [capable of] being perceived through the things that He has made. So, these people have no excuse [i.e., for not believing in Him].

¹ So, whoever you are, you people do not have any excuse for judging people [Note: At this point Paul begins addressing the Jews. See verse 17]. For in a matter where you judge someone else [to be wrong] you [actually] condemn yourselves, because you are practicing the same things [you condemn them for doing]. ² Now we [Jews] know that God’s judgment against people who practice such things [i.e., the Gentiles] is according to truth. [Note: Some use “You say,” at the beginning of the sentence, making it an assertion of the Jews which Paul sets about to answer].

¹² For all those people [i.e., Gentiles] who have sinned without [knowing] the law of Moses will also be lost without [knowing] that law. And all those people [i.e., Jews] who have sinned under [the authority] of the law of Moses will be judged by [the requirements of] that law. ¹³ For [it is] not those who hear the law of Moses who are right with God, but [it is] those who obey [the requirements of] that law [perfectly] who will be considered right with God. ¹⁴ (For when the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not have the law of Moses, instinctively practice [some of] its requirements, they become their own lawmakers, even though they do not have the law of Moses. ¹⁵ In doing this [i.e., practicing some of the requirements of the law of Moses], they demonstrate that these requirements are written in their hearts. Their conscience tells them this, and their thoughts alternately accuse them [of wrongdoing], or else endorse them [for doing right]). ¹⁶ This will be done on the day when God judges the secrets of men’s [hearts] through Christ Jesus, according to [the teaching of] my Gospel. ¹⁷ But if you call yourselves “Jews,” and [claim to] rely on the law of Moses, and brag about [belonging to] God; ¹⁸ if you know His will and have been taught by the law of Moses to [evaluate and] give approval to what is best;

² Much in every way! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the messages of God [i.e., their prophets received divine revelations].

⁴ But let God be truthful, [even if] everyone [else] is a liar. For it is written [Psa. 51:4], “[God], you should be proven right when you speak, and win [your case] when put on trial.”

⁹ What then? Are we [Jews] any better off [than those Gentiles]? No, not at all, for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] alike are under [the power of] sin,

²³ for everyone has sinned and falls short of God’s glory [i.e., His approval, or His perfect character].

²⁹ This was all done so that no human being could boast in front of God.

²⁰ I behaved like a Jew in front of the Jews in order to win Jews [to Christ]. I behaved like a person who was under [obligation to observe] the law [i.e., Jews] in front of those who observe that law, although I was not [really] under [obligation to] it. I did this to win those who are under [obligation to observe] the law. ²¹ I [also] behaved like a person without [obligation to observe] the law [i.e., a Gentile] in front of those who are not obligated to it, although I was not [really] without obligation to God’s law; but was under [obligation to] Christ’s law. I did this to win those who are without [obligation to observe] the law [i.e., Gentiles].

¹⁰ For all who seek to be right with God by trying to meet all the requirements of the law of Moses are under a curse [from God], because it is written [Deut. 27:26], “Every person is cursed [i.e., cut off from God] who does not continue to obey all of the requirements written in the law of Moses.”

²² But the Scriptures indicate that everything [i.e., everyone] is under the control of sin, so that the promise [of never ending life] could be available [only] to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. ²³ But before faith [in Christ] became available, we [Jews] were kept in bondage under [condemnation for not obeying perfectly] the law of Moses. [This condition existed] until the faith [i.e., the Gospel message] was made known [to people].

⁵ so that He could buy back [from Satan] those who were [still] under [obligation to] the law of Moses, and that we could become adopted children.

²¹ Tell me, those of you who desire to be under [obligation to the requirements of] the law of Moses: Are you really paying attention to what the law of Moses says?

¹⁸ But, if you are led by [what] the Holy Spirit [wants you to do], you are not under [obligation to meet the requirements of] the law of Moses.