Paragraph 3:27–31
3:27a
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded: This is a rhetorical question and its answer. The rhetorical question causes the reader to think of what might be the answer. Paul then told what the answer is. Here are some ways to translate this:
• As a rhetorical question and its answer. For example:
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. (English Standard Version)
• As a statement. For example:
Therefore we cannot boast.
-or-
So God does not consider our boasts ⌊when he justifies us⌋.
-or-
Therefore it is absolutely impossible for us to boast of our righteousness
Also see examples below.
Where…is boasting?: The Greek is literally “where (is) the boasting?” Here this phrase refers to boasting about being righteous or good. But God does not justify someone because of what he or she has done or who he or she is or any boasts he or she says about those things. Here are other ways to translate these words:
Where…is boasting? (NET Bible)
-or-
What occasion is there…for boasting? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
there’s nothing that anyone can boast about.
then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is usually translated “therefore.” But here it is more natural in English to translate it as then.
It is excluded: This phrase indicates that God does not allow any boasting by us to change his mind. God does not think better about us if we were to boast about being right with him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
Bragging has been eliminated. (God’s Word)
-or-
They are nothing.
-or-
No! (New Century Version)
3:27b–c
On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith: The first question is a rhetorical question. It leads to the second question. The second question is also a rhetorical question. Paul answered it with No, but on that of faith. Here are some ways to translate this:
• Using questions. For example:
On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith. (Revised Standard Version)
• Using statements. For example:
It is not by a law/principle of works, but by the law/principle of faith.
-or-
For God does not receive us because of our good behavior. He receives us because of our faith in the Lord Yesus.
These three clauses are incomplete. “It is excluded” is implied each time. In some languages the implied words must be repeated here. For example:
⌊It is excluded⌋ on what principle? ⌊Is it excluded⌋ on the principle of a law of works? No, ⌊it is excluded⌋ by the principle of the law of faith.
-or-
It is not ⌊excluded⌋ by a law/principle of works, but ⌊it is excluded⌋ by the law/principle of faith.
3:27b
On what principle?: Here the word principle refers to any rule or law. Here are other ways to translate the Greek words:
By what kind of law? (English Standard Version)
-or-
⌊It/Boasting is excluded⌋ according to what rule/law?
On that of works?: The Greek is only “Of works?” The Berean Standard Bible phrase that of implies the words “a principle” from the previous question, so that the meaning is “On a principle of works?”
works: The word works refers to someone’s deeds. It is not limited to what one does for a paying job. God does not make people right with him because of what they do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
On the principle of works? (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
By following the rule of good deeds?
-or-
⌊Is it/boasting excluded⌋ according to a principle/lifestyle of doing ⌊what God wants us to do⌋ ?
3:27c
but on that of faith: God says that a person is righteous when that person believes in Christ. That is a rule/principle that God uses. That excludes us from boasting that we are righteous, because it is something God did, not we ourselves. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
but on the principle of faith (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
⌊it/boast is excluded⌋ because of the rule that ⌊God makes us righteous because⌋ we believe ⌊in Jesus⌋
-or-
⌊it/boasting is excluded⌋ according to a principle/rule of ⌊God makes us righteous because⌋ of our faith
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