King James Version

What Does Romans 3:30 Mean?

Romans 3:30 in the King James Version says “Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” — study this verse from Romans chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Romans 3:30 · KJV

Faith

Context

28

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29

Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30

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

31

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid : yea, we establish the law.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Paul grounds v. 29 in monotheism: eiper heis ho theos (εἴπερ εἷς ὁ θεός, "since indeed God is one"). This one God hos dikaiōsei (ὃς δικαιώσει, "will justify")—future tense, emphasizing eschatological certainty. He justifies peritomēn ek pisteōs (περιτομὴν ἐκ πίστεως, "circumcision by faith") and akrobystian dia tēs pisteōs (ἀκροβυστίαν διὰ τῆς πίστεως, "uncircumcision through faith").

The prepositional variation—ek (ἐκ, "by/out of") versus dia (διά, "through")—likely has no theological significance, simply rhetorical variation. Paul's point: both Jew and Gentile are justified by the same means (faith), by the same God, receiving the same righteousness. Circumcision neither helps Jews nor hinders Gentiles. There is glorious equality at the foot of the cross—all enter the same way, through faith alone.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This was revolutionary: Judaism offered Gentiles salvation through conversion (circumcision, Torah observance). Paul declares: God justifies Gentiles directly by faith without requiring them to become Jewish. This insight birthed Gentile Christianity as a distinct entity from Judaism, though rooted in Israel's Scriptures and Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should the truth that God justifies both Jew and Gentile the same way shape ethnic relations in the church?
  2. What modern equivalents of "circumcision" do Christians wrongly treat as necessary for justification or full acceptance?
  3. How does justification by faith alone create a unity that transcends all human divisions (Galatians 3:28)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
ἐπείπερ1 of 14

“Seeing”

G1897

since indeed (of cause)

εἷς2 of 14

“it is one”

G1520

one

ὁ3 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεός4 of 14

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὃς5 of 14

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

δικαιώσει6 of 14

“shall justify”

G1344

to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent

περιτομὴν7 of 14

“the circumcision”

G4061

circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)

ἐκ8 of 14

“by”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

πίστεως9 of 14

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

καὶ10 of 14

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀκροβυστίαν11 of 14

“uncircumcision”

G203

the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person

διὰ12 of 14

“through”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῆς13 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστεως14 of 14

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 3:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 3:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 3:8Galatians 3:20Philippians 3:3Colossians 2:10-11Galatians 6:15Galatians 2:14-16

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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