11 All Have Sinned – Part 2

In this middle section of Romans chapter three, Paul continued to show that all are sinners in need of a Savior. At the same time, he also continued to show that no one could reach God on their own terms.

1 All Guilty Before God

Romans 3:9

In chapter two, Paul had undercut the Jewish mindset that they were save by circumcision. Therefore, in chapter three he showed how the Jewish people still had a great advantage, in that they’ve been given God’s Word.

Even though the Jews had been advantaged by being given the Scriptures, Paul didn’t want them to believe that they were “better than everyone else.

In verse nine, Paul uses the word “we” therefore identifying with his fellow Israelites. He then spoke of how he had “previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin”. That would have certainly further upset the Jews, who never wanted to be looked upon as being the same as the Gentiles (Greeks).

Paul said that “all” are “under sin” which literally means that everyone is “in slavery to sin” or under the dominion of sin.

That speaks of every human as being enslaved to sin.

2 Total Unrighteousness

In the next section, Paul supported his position, by referencing several Old Testament passages, especially from the Psalms:

Romans 3:10-18

In verse 14, Paul showed that no one can present themselves as being righteous:

Psalm 14:1-3

In verse 11, Paul then spoke of how “there is none who understands” which again spoke of how even though the Jews had been given the Law, they failed to keep or even understand it.

Paul then made the statement “there is none who seek after God” which would have certainly caused great consternation especially for the Jews, since in their minds, the whole ceremonial system was about seeking God.

In the same way, there are many today, who seek after God in their flesh, which is not a true seeking after Him, since because it is in the flesh, it will cause them to only obtain a version of God.

Paul expounds on that idea in verse 12, as he states that those who proceed in that manner, “have together become unprofitable”.

In the Greek, the word we have translated as “unprofitable” speaks of something which is rotten, such as spoiled fruit or vegetables, which once they’ve gotten to that state, can no longer be safely consumed.

Next, Paul made an emphatic and universal statement, “There is none who does good, no, note one”.

That statement shows that whether the individual believes that they are highly moral, or whether they believe their religious pursuits affords them righteousness, that no one is good. And those who believe that any actions they perform, can make them good, are greatly deceived.

The Bible is clear, that only God is truly good, and that only those who have a relationship with Him, may have any degree of true goodness.

Paul again referenced the Psalms in verses 13 through 18. He especially chose those which illustrated various body parts (tongue, lips, mouth, feet and eyes) showing them as being in rebellion against God.

In verse 14, Paul spoke of those “whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” picturing those who have very little positive or uplifting to say, by who rather speak in profane and harmful terms.

In verses 15 and 16, he addressed thus who in effect run to shed blood. Therefore, showing how an individuals may begin speaking in a sinful manner, but their bad behavior will escalate to even violent actions.

In verse 17, Paul then spoke of those who do not know the way of peace. That isn’t surprising, since these are individuals who’ve never asked Christ into their heart. True peace only comes from having a personal relationship with the Prince of Peace.

In verse 18, he said “There is no fear of God before their eyes, showing a refusal to reverence the Lord, since the word “fear” speaks of having a holy reverence for God.

To the Jews of Paul’s day, for someone not to reverence God, was to commit a grievous sin.

Yet, they simply couldn’t fully reverence Him, since they didn’t truly know Him, since they had rejected Jesus, who is the only way to the Father:

John 14:6-7

3 Consciousness of Sin

In verses 19-20, Paul spoke of the real purpose of the Law:

Romans 3:19-20

The Jews put so much weight to the outward, those things which were done in the flesh.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated that one doesn’t keep the Law because of what they have kept external regulations, but rather it is kept by the attitude of the heart.

The point that both Jesus and Paul were making, is that while someone outwardly as breaking the Law, they were indeed a law-breaker if the attitude of the heart was wrong.

In verse 19, Paul is again seen directly addressing his fellow Jews, when he said “to those under the Law” clearly showing he was speaking to those who were still steadfastly holding to the Old Covenant:

Romans 3:19a-b

Saul showed that he was speaking of everything within the Law, by saying “whatever the Law says”. This was also to show, that someone cannot pick and choose which parts of the Law they wished to observe.

The final portion of the verse is extremely impactful, as it explains the purpose of the entire Law:

Romans 3:19c

No one can purport to have an answer for the Lord, but their mouths will be literally “shut”.

The purpose of the Law is to point out man’s sinfulness, since no one can keep the entire Law. If someone should fail to sin only once, then they are guilty of the entirety of the Law:

James 2:10

In verse 20, Paul then reiterates something he’d previously established, that no one may be justified in the flesh:

Romans 3:20