Limitless Word
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Romans 3:2 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God.
  • BSB Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
  • NKJV Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.
  • NASB Great in every respect. First, that they were entrusted with the actual words of God.
  • NLT Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

There is great advantage: above all, the Jews were entrusted with the very words of God. Israel's privilege was receiving God's revelation.

Overview

Paul affirms that the Jewish people had real and great advantages, chief of which was being entrusted with 'the revelations of God' — the Scriptures and promises. This stewardship of God's word was an immense privilege and responsibility. It also points forward to Christ, who comes from Israel and fulfills these very oracles, showing God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 28

  • Rom 9:4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
  • Acts 7:38This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
  • Ps 147:19–20He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
  • Neh 9:13–14Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
  • 1 Cor 9:17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
  • 1 Pet 4:11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
  • Heb 5:12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
  • Ezek 20:11–12And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
  • 2 Tim 3:15–17And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
  • Rom 11:15–23For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
  • 2 Pet 1:19–21We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
  • Ps 78:4–7We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
  • Deut 4:7–8For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
  • Rev 22:6And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
  • Rev 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
  • Rom 11:1–2I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
  • John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
  • Dan 10:21But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
  • Rom 3:3For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
  • 1 Tim 6:20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
  • Rom 2:18And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
  • Rom 1:2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
  • 2 Cor 5:19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
  • Rom 11:28–29As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
  • Gal 2:7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
  • Luke 16:29–31Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
  • Isa 8:20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
  • Ps 119:140Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (4)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Romans videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Romans 3:2YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on RomansMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.

How Romans 3:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.