3:2a

Much in every way: Paul answered the two rhetorical questions of 3:1 here. This answer indicates that the Jews have great advantages and that circumcision has value. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Great in every respect. (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Yes, great benefits!

These words are not a full sentence. In some languages this must be a full sentence. For example:

Yes, there are great benefits! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
There are all kinds of advantages. (God’s Word)
-or-
It is good in a lot of ways! (Contemporary English Version)

3:2b

First of all:
There are two interpretations of the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as First of all :

(1) It means first in a list. But Paul did not continue his list. For example:

In the first place (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible)

(2) It means first in importance. The meaning is similar to Mark 12:28: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” For example:

The most important thing is this: (New Century Version)

(King James Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek grammar supports it.

3:2c

they have been entrusted with the very words of God: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they refers to the Jews. This phrase indicates that God gave his words to the ancestors of the Jews. They were to watch over and guard it. They were to prevent anyone from changing it. They were also to follow it and teach it.

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

God entrusted them with his word (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊God⌋ gave his word to the Jews to watch over

the very words of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the very words means “sayings,” “spoken messages,” or “messages that a divine being speaks.” These words would include things that God said to Abraham, Moses, the prophets and others in the Old Testament. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the things that God said/promised
-or-
God’s message

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