3:30a

since there is only one God: The word since introduces the basis for Paul saying that God is God of the Gentiles (2:29b). For example:

because there is only one God (New Century Version)

only one God: This clause indicates that only one God exists. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

God is one (English Standard Version)
-or-
God is just one

3:30b

who will justify the circumcised by faith: This clause tells the reader more about God. It does not separate God from other gods. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He will justify the circumcised by faith.

justify the circumcised: The word justify refers to God declaring someone to be righteous or innocent. When people believe that Jesus died for their sins, God forgives them, accepts them, and calls them righteous. Here are other ways to translate this word:

declare the circumcised to be righteous

the circumcised: This phrase refers to the Jews, because the Bible always connects the Jews to being circumcised. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the Jews. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in the text. For example:

the circumcised, ⌊namely the Jews,⌋

• Translate this phrase as referring to Jews. For example:

the Jews

You may then want to indicate the literal phrase in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “the circumcised.”

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here this refers to the Jews.

circumcised: This word refers to cutting off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s penis. See how you translated this word in 2:25 or 3:1.

by faith: This phrase indicates that God declares the circumcised to be righteous because they believe in Jesus. For example:

on the basis of their faith (Good News Translation)
-or-
because of their faith (Contemporary English Version)

3:30c

and the uncircumcised through that same faith: The phrase “who will justify” is implied from 3:30b. In some languages it is more natural to add the implied phrase. For example:

and ⌊who will justify⌋ the uncircumcised through that same faith

the uncircumcised: This phrase refers to the non-Jews, because the Bible always connects the non-Jews to not being circumcised. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the non-Jews. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in the text. For example:

the uncircumcised, ⌊namely the non-Jews,⌋

• Translate this phrase as referring to Jews. For example:

the non-Jews

You may then want to indicate the literal phrase in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “the uncircumcised.”

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here this refers to the non-Jews.

through: Paul used a different preposition here than “by” in 3:30b, but many scholars think there is no difference in meaning between the two.

that same faith: This word refers to the same thing as this word in 3:30b. The Berean Standard Bible adds the words that same to emphasize that it is the same faith in both cases. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply a different faith. If that is true in your language, indicate the meaning is the same both times. For example:

the same faith (New International Version)

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