Romans 3:8
New International Version
Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is just!

New Living Translation
And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

English Standard Version
And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

Berean Standard Bible
Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!

Berean Literal Bible
And is it not, as we are slanderously charged, and as some affirm us to say, "Let us do evil things that good things may come?" Their condemnation is just.

King James Bible
And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

New King James Version
And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

New American Standard Bible
And why not say (just as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let’s do evil that good may come of it”? Their condemnation is deserved.

NASB 1995
And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come “? Their condemnation is just.

NASB 1977
And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.

Legacy Standard Bible
And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.

Amplified Bible
And why not say, (as some slanderously report and claim that we teach) “Let us do evil so that good may come of it”? Their condemnation [by God] is just.

Christian Standard Bible
And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come"? Their condemnation is deserved!

American Standard Version
and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

Contemporary English Version
You might as well say, "Let's do something evil, so that something good will come of it!" Some people even claim that we are saying this. But God is fair and will judge them as well.

English Revised Version
and why not (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Or can we say, "Let's do evil so that good will come from it"? Some slander us and claim that this is what we say. They are condemned, and that's what they deserve.

Good News Translation
Why not say, then, "Let us do evil so that good may come"? Some people, indeed, have insulted me by accusing me of saying this very thing! They will be condemned, as they should be.

International Standard Version
Or can we say—as some people slander us by claiming that we say—"Let's do evil that good may result"? They deserve to be condemned!

Majority Standard Bible
Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!

NET Bible
And why not say, "Let us do evil so that good may come of it"?--as some who slander us allege that we say. (Their condemnation is deserved!)

New Heart English Bible
And why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil, that good may come?" Their condemnation is just.

Webster's Bible Translation
And not rather (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Weymouth New Testament
And why should we not say--for so they wickedly misrepresent us, and so some charge us with arguing--"Let us do evil that good may come"? The condemnation of those who would so argue is just.

World English Bible
Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let’s do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And not, as we are spoken evil of, and as certain affirm us to say, “We may do the evil things, that the good ones may come?” Whose judgment is righteous.

Berean Literal Bible
And is it not, as we are slanderously charged, and as some affirm us to say, "Let us do evil things that good things may come?" Their condemnation is just.

Young's Literal Translation
and not, as we are evil spoken of, and as certain affirm us to say -- 'We may do the evil things, that the good ones may come?' whose judgment is righteous.

Smith's Literal Translation
And not, (as we are defamed, and some have declared us to say,) That we should do evil things, that good things might come: whose judgment is just.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And not rather (as we are slandered, and as some affirm that we say) let us do evil, that there may come good? whose damnation is just.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And should we not do evil, so that good may result? For so we have been slandered, and so some have claimed we said; their condemnation is just.

New American Bible
And why not say—as we are accused and as some claim we say—that we should do evil that good may come of it? Their penalty is what they deserve.

New Revised Standard Version
And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), “Let us do evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As for those who blaspheme against us, saying that we say, Let us do evil that good may come, their condemnation is reserved for eternal justice.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Or is it as those, whose judgment is reserved for justice, slander us and report that we say, “Let us practice evil that good may come?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then, why not say, (as we are slanderously reported as saying, and, as some affirm, that we do say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? Of such persons the condemnation is just.

Godbey New Testament
are we not indeed thus traduced, and as some say we speak, that, Let us do evil in order that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

Haweis New Testament
And why not admit, (as we are falsely reported of; and as some affirm we say,) That we should do evil things, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

Mace New Testament
and why may we not do evil, that good may come?" which is slanderously reported to be our maxim, by some, whose condemnation is just.

Weymouth New Testament
And why should we not say--for so they wickedly misrepresent us, and so some charge us with arguing--"Let us do evil that good may come"? The condemnation of those who would so argue is just.

Worrell New Testament
And why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come?" whose condemnation is just.

Worsley New Testament
and why may we not do evil that good may come?"---as we are injuriously charged, and as some affirm that we say; whose condemnation is just.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Remains Faithful
7However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? 8Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved! 9What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.…

Cross References
Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Jeremiah 18:12
But they will reply, ‘It is hopeless. We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’”

Proverbs 17:15
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.

Habakkuk 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

1 Samuel 2:3
Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.

Psalm 94:20-21
Can a corrupt throne be Your ally—one devising mischief by decree? / They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

Proverbs 24:24
Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Matthew 26:59-61
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Acts 6:13
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

Acts 13:10
and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?


Treasury of Scripture

And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

we be.

Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

1 Peter 3:16,17
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ…

Let us.

Romans 5:20
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Romans 6:1,15
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? …

Romans 7:7
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

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Affirm Argue Arguing Behaviour Charge Charged Claim Condemnation Condemned Damnation Evil Falsely Good Injuriously Justly Misrepresent Practise Punishment Rather Reported Result Right Slanderously Statement Wickedly
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Romans 3
1. The Jews prerogative;
3. which they have not lost;
9. howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;
20. therefore no one is justified by the law;
28. but all, without difference, by faith, only;
31. and yet the law is not abolished.














Why not say
This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, a common technique used by Paul to engage his readers and address potential misunderstandings. The Greek word for "say" here is "λέγω" (legō), which implies not just speaking but also reasoning or considering. Paul is challenging the logic of a false argument attributed to him, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and the dangers of misinterpretation.

as some slanderously claim
The term "slanderously" comes from the Greek "βλασφημέω" (blasphēmeō), which means to speak evil or to defame. This indicates that Paul's teachings were being misrepresented maliciously. Historically, early Christians often faced accusations and distortions of their beliefs, which Paul addresses directly. This highlights the need for vigilance in maintaining doctrinal purity and integrity.

that we say
Paul is clarifying that the accusations against him and his teachings are false. The Greek "φημί" (phēmi) is used here, which means to assert or affirm. Paul is distancing himself from the erroneous interpretation that grace could be a license for sin, underscoring the importance of truth in teaching and the responsibility of leaders to correct falsehoods.

Let us do evil
This phrase captures the erroneous logic that Paul is refuting. The Greek word for "evil" is "κακός" (kakos), which refers to that which is morally wrong or harmful. The suggestion that one might do evil to achieve good outcomes is contrary to the moral teachings of Christianity, which uphold righteousness and holiness as reflections of God's character.

that good may result
The idea that good can come from evil actions is a perversion of Christian doctrine. The Greek "ἀγαθός" (agathos) for "good" refers to that which is inherently beneficial and aligned with God's will. Paul is emphasizing that true good cannot be achieved through sinful means, reinforcing the principle that the ends do not justify the means in Christian ethics.

Their condemnation is deserved
Paul concludes with a strong statement of judgment against those who propagate such false teachings. The Greek "κρίμα" (krima) for "condemnation" implies a judicial verdict, reflecting the seriousness of distorting the gospel. This serves as a warning that those who twist the truth for their own purposes will face divine judgment, highlighting the gravity of maintaining doctrinal integrity.

(8) And not rather.--And (why should we) not (say), as some persons slanderously affirm that we say, Let us do evil that good may come. Some such phrase as "Why should we say" must be supplied; "why" from the previous clause, "say" from that which follows. Or "(Why should we) not (do evil), as some persons slanderously affirm that we say, Let us do evil," &c. The latter, perhaps, is best, as we might then suppose the word for "let us do" repeated precisely in the form in which it stands.

The Apostle does not care to answer this argument in detail; he will not dally with such a perversion of the moral sense, but simply says, "Whose condemnation is just."

What pretext could any one possibly have for attributing such an opinion to St. Paul? The charge was no doubt utterly false as applied to him, but we know that his teaching was made an excuse for Antinomian excesses, which would not unnaturally be fastened upon the Apostle. Or, taking his teaching as it stands, we might well imagine the Jews or the Judaizing party arguing with themselves, "This man openly breaks the Law, and yet he claims to be in the right way, and that all will go well with him; is not this doing evil that good may come? Does he think to win the Messianic kingdom by the breach of the Law, and not by its observance?"

Verse 8. - And not (i.e. why should we not say), as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say, Let us do evil, that good may come? Whose (i.e. of those who do say so) condemnation is just.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Why]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

not [say],
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

some
τινες (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

slanderously
βλασφημούμεθα (blasphēmoumetha)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 987: From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.

claim [that]
φασίν (phasin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5346: To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.

we
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

say,
λέγειν (legein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Let us do
Ποιήσωμεν (Poiēsōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

evil
κακὰ (kaka)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

good
ἀγαθά (agatha)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

may result?”
ἔλθῃ (elthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

Their
ὧν (hōn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

condemnation
κρίμα (krima)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2917: From krino; a decision ('crime').

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

deserved!
ἔνδικόν (endikon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1738: Righteous, just. From en and dike; in the right, i.e. Equitable.


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NT Letters: Romans 3:8 Why not as we are slanderously reported (Rom. Ro)
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