This verse begins in Greek with a particle (eiper) that the New English Bible translates “if it be true” and that the Revised Standard Version renders “since.” This same particle appears in 8.9 as if, in fact and in 8.17 as for if. It indicates certainty (Revised Standard Version “since”) and not doubt, as may be implied by the New English Bible “if it be true.” Since the particle in Greek suggests certainty, the Good News Translation omits it translationally and begins this verse with the statement God is one. The Jews is literally “the circumcision” and the Gentiles is literally “the uncircumcision” (see comments on 2.26). Although Paul uses two different prepositions, one in reference to the Jews, on the basis of, and one in reference to the Gentiles, through, there is no significant difference in meaning between the two. Paul changes prepositions merely as a matter of style, and his argument is that Jews and Gentiles alike are put into a right relation with God only through faith.

Though the clause God is one might appear to be a general statement of monotheism, in reality it emphasizes that God is one and the same for both Jews and Gentiles. An equivalent in some languages may simply be “there is only one God for both Jews and Gentiles” or “God is the same for both Jews and Gentiles.”

The phrases on the basis of their faith and through their faith may be expressed in some languages as means—for example, “by their trusting”—or as cause,—for example, “because they trust” or “because they believe.” If it is necessary to specify a goal for terms of trust or faith, this may be “Jesus Christ” (see v. 22).

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .