Preparing Context
Gathering the passage
Loading the book, timeline, map, and study notes.
Book
World Stage
Structure
Historical Setting
Preparing Context
Gathering the passage
Loading the book, timeline, map, and study notes.
Book
World Stage
Structure
Historical Setting
Sin / Answer across Scripture
Romans 3 says both Jews and Greeks are under sin and supports the claim with Scripture language about universal unrighteousness.
Study theme
Sin
Romans teaches that all people, whether Jew or Gentile, stand under sin apart from God's grace. Romans 3:9 says both Jews and Greeks are under sin, and the following verses gather Scripture language such as 'None is righteous, no, not one.' The point is not to single out one group as uniquely bad, but to show that everyone needs the righteousness God gives through Christ.
Romans 1-3 builds the case that the gospel is needed by all people. Romans 3 gathers the argument together by saying both Jews and Greeks are under sin.
Romans 3:9-20 is the central passage for this answer. The next movement in Romans 3:21-28 explains God's answer in righteousness, grace, redemption, and justification by faith.
Key passages
9What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously charged both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.
10As it is written, "There is no one righteous. No, not one.
11There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God.
12They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not, so much as one."
13"Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit." "The poison of vipers is under their lips;"
14"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood.
16Destruction and misery are in their ways.
17The way of peace, they haven`t known."
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
19Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.
20Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
A common misuse of the passage is to despise humanity or target one ethnic group. Paul's argument levels all boasting so that salvation is seen as grace.