Connect Job 22:5 with Romans 3:23 on the universality of sin. Opening the Texts Together Job 22:5: “Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless?” Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” One Voice, Two Eras • Eliphaz speaks to Job, leveling a charge that human wickedness is deep and far-reaching. • Paul writes centuries later, summarizing the human condition in one sweeping sentence. • Both verses land on the same verdict: sin is universal and exhaustive. Job’s Echo of Paul’s Message • Eliphaz’s words—though misapplied personally to Job—state a timeless principle: human iniquity is “endless.” • Paul confirms and clarifies that principle, extending it to “all.” • Together they show that sin is not merely frequent or common; it is comprehensive, touching every person and every part of us. Tracing the Theme Across Scripture • Genesis 6:5 – “every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.” • Psalm 14:2-3 – “There is no one who does good, not even one.” • Isaiah 53:6 – “We all like sheep have gone astray; each one has turned to his own way.” • 1 John 1:8 – “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” • These passages do not merely repeat the idea; they layer it, showing sin in thought, action, and will. Why the Universality of Sin Matters • Levels the playing field—no room for self-righteousness or comparison. • Explains the brokenness we see in relationships, societies, and even creation (Romans 8:20-22). • Highlights our need for a Savior who is outside the problem and powerful enough to solve it. • Prepares the heart for grace; one cannot cherish salvation without first grasping the depth of sin. Hope Woven Into the Diagnosis • Romans 3:24 follows immediately: “and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” • Job’s story anticipates this hope—God vindicates Job, pointing to a Redeemer who lives (Job 19:25). • The Bible’s consistency on sin underscores its consistency on salvation: the same God who reveals universal guilt also offers universal access to redemption through faith in Christ (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6). |
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