Verse 9 serves as the summary of Paul’s discussion, which began in Romans 1:18.
What then? Are we any better off? No, not at all, for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin (Romans 3.9),
Paul’s statement about the universality of sin challenges some of our contemporary understandings of human goodness and moral progress.
I think the best way to discuss contemporary beliefs that we’re all okay before God is to examine the cross. If the cross is God’s solution to the problem of human evil, we have a serious problem.
Verses 10-18 offer a vivid picture of human sinfulness. We do well to place this picture beside our observations of human behavior and notice the root of sin in the human heart.
As it is written:“There is no one who is righteous, not even one;
There is no one who has understanding;
there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
there is no one who shows kindness;
there is not even one.” (Verses 10-12)
Images of Isaiah 59 occur in Romans 3. Like Paul, Isaiah illuminates human depravity in order to display God’s grace. God in his grace does for humans what we are unable to do for ourselves.
He saw that there was no one
and was appalled that there was no one to intervene,
so his own arm brought him victory,
and his righteousness upheld him. (Isaiah 59.16)
The Need for Grace
Jesus taught us that our words are a window into our souls. Our innermost being is revealed through our speech. When we consider Paul’s words, it becomes clear that humanity’s brokenness is evident in our language.
“Their throats are opened graves;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of vipers is under their lips.”
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Romans 3.13-14)
Paul continues with a few more illustrations of sinful behavior, but I think we have the point. We humans need God’s grace. He summarizes that need for God’s grace in the next verses.
Now we know that, whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
For no human will be justified before him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3.19-20).
Whether we like to think about it or not, we are accountable to God for our behavior. No amount of self-justification, rationalization, or intellectualizing can deny that fact.
We need God’s grace, but without that, we are not able to stand before Him.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 