Romans 3:9-20
God’s Law Condemns Everyone

Today, March 12th, 2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in Romans 3:9-20.

9 What then? Do we excel? Not at all! For we have charged both Jews and Greeks before, all with being under sin;

10 according as it has been written, “There is not a righteous one, not even one!”

11 “There is not one understanding; there is not one seeking God.”

12 All turned away, they became worthless together, not one is doing goodness, not so much as one!” LXX-Psa. 13:1-3

13 “Their throat is a tomb being opened;” “they used deceit with their tongues; the poison of asps is under their lips;

14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 ruin and misery are in their way;

17 and they did not know a way of peace;

18 there is no fear of God before their eyes.” LXX-Psa. 5:10; 139:4; 9:28; Isa. 59:7, 8; Psa. 35:2; MT-Psa. 14:1-3; 5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Isa. 59:7, 8; Psa. 36:1

19 But we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those within the Law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be under judgment to God.

20 Because by works of Law not one of all flesh will be justified before Him, for through Law is full knowledge of sin. Psa. 143:2

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Suggested Questions:

1. What is better: being a believer in God or not being a believer in God? Why?

2. Does the meaning of Romans 3:10-12 conflict with Hebrews 11? Weren’t Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Job… all called righteous by God?

3. What does the phrase “the poison of asps is under their lips” mean?

4. What does the phrase “those within the Law” mean?

5. No one is justified by obeying the law, so how can a person be called righteous by God?

6. What does the phrase “for through Law comes knowledge of sin” mean?

7. If obeying the law does not make a person righteous, then why follow the law?

Suggested Applications:

1. Have you ever thought that you are better than those who do not believe in God because you do not live in sin like they do? If so, is that thought correct or incorrect? Why?

2. Have you ever been part of the group of people described in Romans 3:11-18?

3. Are you currently a righteous person before God? Why or why not?

4. What is the most important thing you have learned through these Bible verses?