All are under the dominion of sin: (3:9-18):
Pauls asks the question: Are Jews any better? Not at all. All Jews, Greeks, Gentiles and everyone are under the dominion of sin. Jews have no preference in terms of Salvation. But when it comes advantages or blessings, Jews have had the advantage of having Scripture (perhaps OT). They have an opportunity to know God and receive Christ’s redemption earlier than other people. God has no preferential treatment upon Jews. They too stand under sin’s power and control and condemnation along with all other people of this world.
Paul further clarifies that everyone is under sin. Apostle looks at the human condition from top to bottom. He begins with head and moves all the way down to the feet. Warren Wiersbe calls this passage “An X-ray study of the lost sinner, from head to foot.” The condition is depressing. The fall from God touches every part of the body. From (3:10-18) Paul quotes from 7-OT passages:
| No | Romans 3: | OT ref. | |
| 1 | No one understands or seeks God. No one is righteous, all have turned away, have become worthless, no one does good (3:11,12). | Ps.14:2,3 | There was never truly a righteous man except Jesus Christ. Even Adam was not righteous, he was innocent, not knowing good and evil. Man had every possibility to seek the true God. They become unprofitable. What about you? |
| 2 | Their throat is an open grave, their tongues practice deceit (3:13). | Ps.5:10; 140:3 | The venom of asps is under their lips. By their malicious and wicked words they bury the reputation of all men. Their lying, defamation, slandering etc. has poisoned the reputation of others. |
| 3 | Their mouth is full of curse and bitterness (3:14). | Ps.10:7 | They never speak plain truth, but in profane oaths, blasphemies, and malice. |
| 4 | Their feet are swift to shed blood.(3:15) | Pro.1:16. | They make use of every means in their power to destroy the reputation and lives of the innocent. |
| 5 | Ruin and misery marks their ways (3:16). | Isa.59:7 | Destruction is their work, and misery to themselves. It is the consequence of their impious and murderous conduct. Man has lost patience. They fight with each other resulting in ruin and misery viz. Afganistan, Syria |
| 6 | And the way of peace they do not known (3:17). | Isa.59:8 | They are always on the go for violence. They think that they would fulfil their religious activities through violence. Viz. Jihadis, ISIS etc. |
| 7 | There is no fear of God before their eyes (3:18). | Ps.36:1 | Every sin, murder is happening because there is no respect for God. Humans became licentious. Solomon says: “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of the wisdom”(Pro.1:7). The world would be different if they had fear of the Lord. |
Paul validates his accusations that everybody is under sin through the above OT references. Everyone without any exception is un-righteous. Though Paul did not quote, the complete verse (Ps.14:2) , “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” Prophet Isaiah too writes: “From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness — only wounds and welts and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil” (Isa 1:6). “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong” (Isa 1:15-16).
Everyone is conscious of sin: (3:19-20):
We have no excuses or arguments left to console ourselves. The whole world is guilty, the Jews, Gentiles, Greeks and all others. The Jews stand condemned by the Law of which they boast and the Gentiles stand condemned on the basis of creation and conscience. No human being is declared righteous. In (2:13) “for it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” the bad news is that no body can fully obey the law and righteous except the Lord Jesus Christ who came down as a human being. When any one try to obey the law, he miserably fails and be condemned as a sinner. So no person can be righteous trying to obey the law, but every person can be righteous if they put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore everyone is held accountable before God if he or she does not put trust in Jesus Christ. We do not earn salvation by trying to observe the law, but only by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ.