Keraia
Romans 3

Romans 3:11

There Is No One Righteous · Romans 3:9–20
Read Romans 3

Translations

Modern
There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
Traditional
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Literal
…there is no one understanding; there is no one seeking out God.
Latin
…non est intelligens, non est requirens Deum.

Original

Greek
English
There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.

Notes

Romans 3:10–12

This quotation from Psalms 14:1–3; 53:1–3 directly supports the argument that all people are under the power of sin.

Romans 3:10–18

The six quotations in these verses come from different parts of the Old Testament. All of them speak about human sinfulness.

Paul follows a teaching practice used by Jewish teachers. They gathered several Old Testament passages that shared the same theme and placed them together. This method is sometimes called pearl-stringing (linking texts one after another to make a single point).

Romans 1:18–3:20

Paul waits to explain righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until he first teaches about the sinfulness of all people. Both non-Jews and Jews are equally under the power of sin (1:18–32; 2:1–3:8). Because of this, both groups are in the same situation before God. No one can gain God’s favor by their own actions or obedience (3:9–20). All people need God’s saving action, not their own efforts.

Parallels

Psalm 14:1–7 Psalm 53:1–6 Isaiah 59:1–17

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Faith Last Judgment Letter to the Romans Prayer of Manasseh Sin

Topics

Bigotry: Paul's Argument Against Boasting: Spiritual Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Eternal Life: Cannot be Inherited by Works Godlessness: General Scriptures Concerning Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning Seeking God: None, by Nature, are Found to be Engaged In Seeking God: The Wicked are Gone out of the Way of The Fall of Man: Man in Consequence of without Understanding Total Depravity Wicked (People): Described