Romans 3:9-20 "No One Seeks God"

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 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. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Video Notes:

The question resurfaces from 3:1. This time Paul says there is no advantage. Is this a contradiction? No. Paul is being more specific this time, only considering God’s judgment where both Jew and Greek (gentile) are guilty.
Paul then quotes multiple OT passages to make his point.
Paul is quoting passages, but the Jews would have been used to considering the references of people doing bad things in many of these passages as the “other” people, the gentiles, not the Jews.
However, Isaiah 59 is different. That quote is from a call to repentance for Israel. Even in the quotes, Paul is showing that both Jew and gentile are under sin.
In these quotes, Paul is landing one punch after the other in rapid succession and it has a strong impact.
The Law speaks to those under the Law, the Jews.
In the final quote, Paul adds, “by works of the Law” to the quote, further emphasizing that the Jews cannot look to the Law or their heritage for their salvation. They will only be found guilty.
The teachings of the day would have said that the Law guides, brings knowledge, and makes them righteous. Paul flips this. The Law brings knowledge of sin.
Paul, as the prosecution, has made his final argument. All the accused have clearly be shown to be guilty. This leaves the reader, Jew and gentile, in a seemingly hopeless situation. The final hope, the Law of God, has not only been removed, but has testified against them. This is the perfect set up for vs 21-26 which we will discuss tomorrow, but spoiler alert, Paul has used the Law to set the stage for Gospel.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Romans 3:9-20 "No One Seeks God"

Video Notes:

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL