All under Sin
Romans 1:1-3:8 – Summary
- Paul greets the Romans and introduces his theme: the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:1-17)
- Gentiles (“Greeks”) are all unrighteous (Rom. 1:18-32)
- Jews look down on Gentiles as sinners but are no better themselves (Rom. 2:1-3:8)
Today’s passage: Romans 3:9-20 (“All under Sin”)
Main idea: All are “under” sin – no exceptions, no excuses… yet (as we shall see) not without remedy!
Observations:
- Verses 10-18 accumulate “evidence” making a case leading to a verdict of “Guilty!” in v. 19.
- This evidence consists of a string of 7 OT texts introduced by the phrase “as it is written” in v. 10.
- Outline:
- 9 – Charge: “all are under sin”
- 10-12 – a universal problem
- 13-14 – sins of speech
- 15-17 – sins of action
- 18 – sins of the mind/heart
- 19-20 – verdict: the whole world guilty
- Key statements:
- “None is righteous, no, not one” (v. 10)
- “No one seeks for God” (v. 11)
- “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (v. 18)
- Verses 19-20 summarize God’s case against all humans:
“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.” (ESV)
- This “Guilty!” verdict has a severity and finality that leave the defendants (Jews, Gentiles, all humans, you and me) apparently hopeless, with no defense, no excuse.
- Pictures of this hopelessness:
- Jonah sinking to the bottom of the sea:
“The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever, O LORD my God.” (Jonah 2:5–6a)
- Adam and Eve expelled from the garden (Genesis 3:23-24)
- What’s needed: Rescue from outside, from above; there’s no hope apart from divine intervention.
- This intervention is signaled by the opening two words of Romans 3:21 – “But now…”
- A clarion call announcing hope of pardon: “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” (Romans 3:21–22a)
Discussion
- What is one of your earliest memories of having done wrong?
- According to Romans 3:19-20, what is the main function of the law? How have you experienced this personally?
- A man murders his neighbor and goes to trial. Imagine the murderer standing before the judge, pleading for pardon. He points out that since the murder he has cut his neighbor’s grass, fed his dog, even attended his victim’s funeral. What’s wrong with this picture? How does it relate to Romans 3:20?
- How does Romans 3:9-20 magnify the glory of God and highlight His gospel as stunningly powerful and beautiful?
- Any other insights or responses to this passage?
Next week: Romans 3:21-31 – Justification by Grace through Faith