Overview
In Romans 3:9–20, the Apostle Paul delivers a comprehensive and decisive indictment of all humanity, asserting that both Jews and Gentiles are universally under the dominion of sin. He systematically dismantles any notion of inherent righteousness by quoting an array of Old Testament scriptures to substantiate the pervasive corruption of human nature. Paul affirms that “there is none righteous, no, not one,” emphasizing that no individual seeks after God of their own volition; rather, all have turned aside, becoming morally and spiritually bankrupt. He portrays the human condition with vivid imagery, likening humanity’s speech to an “open grave” and their tongues as instruments of deceit and venom. Furthermore, he characterizes human behavior as inherently violent and destructive, illustrating that the path of peace is foreign to them and that there is no true reverence for God before their eyes.
Paul’s rhetorical strategy culminates in establishing the universal guilt of mankind before God. He clarifies that the Law, far from serving as a means to attain righteousness, functions to expose sin and to silence every mouth, holding the entire world accountable to divine judgment. By these assertions, he anticipates and refutes any claim that adherence to the Law could justify an individual before God, declaring unequivocally that “by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight.” Instead, the Law brings the knowledge of sin, illuminating humanity’s desperate need for divine grace. In this passage, Paul sets the theological foundation for the necessity of salvation through faith, preparing his readers for the profound exposition of justification by faith that follows. His analysis is penetrating and exhaustive, leaving no room for self-justification, and showcasing the utter insufficiency of human effort apart from the redemptive work of Christ.
In-Depth
In Romans 3:9–20, the Apostle Paul draws a decisive conclusion to the argument he has been developing throughout the early chapters of the letter: that every human being, regardless of ethnicity, background, or religious privilege, is under the dominion of sin. He begins in verse 9 by answering the implied question of whether the Jews, who possess the Law, are morally better off than the Gentiles. Paul firmly states, “No, not at all.” Though the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God (as he mentioned earlier), they are not exempt from sin’s universal grip. Both Jews and Gentiles are alike under sin’s power, meaning that sin is not merely a set of wrong acts but a pervasive condition enslaving all of humanity.
To support this sweeping indictment, Paul then assembles a series of quotations from the Old Testament — especially from Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah — creating a devastating portrait of human nature apart from God. He declares that “there is none righteous, not even one,” emphasizing that no one measures up to God’s perfect standard. No one truly understands or seeks after God; instead, all have turned aside from His ways, becoming corrupt and worthless in their pursuits. The imagery Paul uses grows progressively darker: human speech is described as a deadly poison — “their throats are open graves,” “their tongues practice deceit,” “the poison of vipers is under their lips” — symbolizing the internal corruption that spills out in words. Furthermore, human actions are marked by violence and destruction; their “feet are swift to shed blood,” and they leave behind paths filled with ruin and misery. Paul ultimately diagnoses the root cause of all this evil: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Without a reverence for God’s holiness and authority, humanity plunges into moral chaos.
In verses 19–20, Paul moves to explain the purpose of the Law in light of this grim reality. The Law, far from being a means by which people can achieve righteousness, actually functions to reveal sin. Every mouth will be silenced, Paul says — a legal image depicting a courtroom where the accused have no defense left to offer. The entire world becomes accountable to God, standing guilty before His judgment seat. Importantly, Paul states that “by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight,” emphasizing that obedience to the Law cannot erase sin or earn favor with God. Instead, through the Law comes the full, painful knowledge of sin. The Law acts as a mirror, exposing the true spiritual condition of humanity and stripping away any illusions of self-righteousness.
Thus, Romans 3:9–20 serves as the climax of Paul’s argument regarding human sinfulness: a thorough, unflinching indictment that levels every person, religious or irreligious, under guilt before a holy God. This bleak assessment prepares the way for the revelation of God’s righteousness apart from the Law, which Paul begins to unveil immediately afterward — the good news of justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Discovery Questions
Romans 3:9–20 is a pivotal passage where the Apostle Paul makes it unmistakably clear that all humanity stands guilty before God because of sin. This section confronts us with a sobering reality: no one is righteous on their own, and the Law itself serves to expose our sinfulness rather than provide a means of justification. As we study these verses, it’s important to ask questions that help us observe the text carefully, interpret its meaning deeply, and apply its truths personally. The following discovery questions are designed to guide you through this process thoughtfully and prayerfully.
Observation Questions
- Who does Paul say is “under sin” in verse 9?
- What Old Testament writings does Paul draw from to describe humanity’s condition?
- How does Paul describe human speech and behavior in verses 13–17?
- What reason does Paul give in verse 18 for humanity’s sinful actions?
- What is the purpose of the Law according to verses 19–20?
Interpretation Questions
- Why is it significant that Paul says “no one is righteous” and “no one seeks God”?
- What does it mean that “every mouth may be stopped” and “the whole world may be held accountable to God”?
- How does Paul’s use of multiple Scripture references strengthen his argument about human sinfulness?
- In what way does the Law make people aware of their sin instead of saving them?
- How does this passage set the stage for understanding the good news of the gospel that Paul will explain later?
Reflection/Application Questions
- In what ways are you tempted to think of yourself as “better” or “more righteous” than others?
- How does recognizing your own sinfulness affect your view of God’s grace and mercy?
- When you see that you cannot earn righteousness by keeping rules, how does that change the way you approach your relationship with God?
- How might truly understanding these verses change the way you share the gospel with others?
- What steps can you take to live more aware of both your need for grace and the depth of God’s love?
Cross-References
Cross-References to the Old Testament (Paul is quoting or alluding to these):
- Psalm 14:1–3 and Psalm 53:1–3 – (“There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.”) — These Psalms emphasize human corruption and the universal turning away from God.
- Ecclesiastes 7:20 – (“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”) — Echoes Paul’s claim that no one is righteous.
- Psalm 5:9 – (“Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.”) — Reflects the imagery Paul uses about human speech.
- Psalm 140:3 – (“They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps.”) — Parallels Paul’s description of deceitful and deadly speech.
- Isaiah 59:7–8 – (“Their feet run to evil… ruin and misery are in their paths… the way of peace they do not know.”) — Captures the violent, destructive behavior Paul lists.
- Psalm 36:1 – (“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”) — Quoted almost exactly by Paul to explain the root problem.
Other New Testament Cross-References (themes that connect):
- Romans 1:18–32 – (Earlier in Romans — Paul had already described Gentile sinfulness.)
Romans 3:9–20 now extends the accusation to all humanity — not just Gentiles but Jews too. - Galatians 2:16 – (“By works of the law no one will be justified.”) — A direct connection to Romans 3:20 about how the Law exposes sin but does not save.
- James 2:10 – (“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.”) — Reinforces Paul’s teaching that the Law shows our guilt.
- Ephesians 2:1–3 – (“You were dead in the trespasses and sins…”) — Echoes the total spiritual deadness Paul outlines here.
- John 3:19–20 – (“People loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”) — Matches Paul’s idea that people do not seek God naturally.
Summary of the Flow:
Paul is rooting his entire argument in the Hebrew Scriptures (what we call the Old Testament), showing that this is not a new accusation, but one that has been made throughout God’s revelation to Israel.
At the same time, he is setting up the New Testament teaching that salvation must come through faith — not works or human righteousness — because none can measure up by their own merit.
In Summary
Romans 3:9–20 presents a profound and comprehensive declaration of humanity’s universal guilt before God. Paul begins by stating that both Jews and Gentiles are equally “under sin,” meaning that no one is exempt from the corrupting influence of sin. He uses Old Testament Scriptures to emphasize that “there is no one righteous, not even one,” and that all people have turned away from God, with no one truly seeking after Him. Human speech and actions are described as corrupt, deceitful, and destructive, with violence, ruin, and misery marking human paths. The root cause of all this is the absence of the fear of God. Paul then explains that the Law, rather than offering salvation, actually exposes sin and holds all people accountable to God, showing that no one can be justified by observing the Law. Instead, the Law brings the knowledge of sin, making it clear that all people stand guilty before God. This passage highlights the desperate need for God’s grace, setting the stage for the gospel message of salvation through faith.
