In this episode, I walk through Romans 3:9-20. In this passage, Paul will cite several Old Testament passages to charge all with sin, both Jews and Gentiles. Romans 3:9-20 prepares the way for the second half of Romans 3 to claim that right standing only comes from God.

“What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,” Verse 9

This verse is adding onto Romans 3:1-2 where Paul shows how the Jews had an advantage since they had the oracles of God (Old Testament). Although the Jews had an advantage, Paul is showing that they are not better off. They received the oracles of God, the Law, yet never did anything with it. God showed them how to live upright lives yet they chose to ignore his commands and lived as they pleased. They had the advantage but they were not better off. The Jews had the law and sinned while the Gentiles sinned against their conscience making both groups guilty and worthy of judgement. All people have been charged with the sin they have committed.

“As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Verses 10-12

These three verses are quoting Psalm 14:1-3. Paul’s purpose in quoting this passage is to show that humanity left to itself will never seek God. Although Paul is not saying that humanity can do no good, he is acknowledging, regardless of some of even the good they have done, they do not live to glorify God or to seek to know Him. These verses are not just charging humanity as a whole but also charging every single person with sin.

“‘Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.’ ‘The venom of asps is under their lips.’ ‘Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.’” Verses 13-14

These two verses quote three different passages. The first quote is a reference to Psalm 5:9 to show the deadly effects of sin coming from deceitful talk whether it be lying, slander, gossip, or any other sinful speech. The second quote is a reference to Psalm 140:3 to show the toxic effect of one’s speech. The third quote is a reference to Psalm 10:7 to show that this type of toxic speech is not occasional but constant. Paul references these three quotes to show how our speech has condemned. One commentary pointed out that Paul’s first quote in verse 13 to his last quote in verse 14 is a progression from the throat to the lips show that the sinful speech starts deep inside us that overflows outward showing a deep rooted sin issue.

“Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” Verses 15-17

These three verses are a reference to Isaiah 59:7-8 showing the results of human action. This specific passage goes to show that sin has led humanity to building a world full of destruction, misery, and war. Sin has hindered humanity from knowing God and therefore knowing peace. Paul is showing that humanity’s sin has left a blood trail that is undeniable. Not only has each individual sinned and our speech has condemned us, but the destruction that we have left on this planet goes to show the effects of sin.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Verse 18

This verse is a reference to Psalm 36:1 showing that the root to sin is a lack of fear of God. Humanity does not fear the judgement and holiness of God so they continue to do evil and live in sin. The fact that people do not fear God shows why sin abounds in the lives of both the Jews and the Gentiles.

“Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Verse 19-20

Romans 3:19-20 is the concluding thoughts of the first part of Paul’s letter to the Roman readers. The purpose of these two verses is to show that all are charged with sin. Paul shows that no one can find righteousness in the law because the law is meant to be a mirror that shows them their sin. God did not give them the law expecting they would be able to live perfectly under it but rather to show them their sin. God gave them the law as the first step in His redemption plan to show them their sin knowing that if they saw their sin they would see their need for a Savior.

In summary, Paul references the Old Testament to further charge both the Jews and Gentiles with sin. The references are split up to four categories: the sinful condition, the effects of sinful speech, the result of sinful actions, and the root of all sin. Paul then concludes this part of Romans with Romans 3:19-20 showing that all have sinned. This passage was the last section in the verse part of Romans. As we continue our study of Romans, Paul will introduction grace starting in the next few verses.