How does John 15:22 connect with Romans 3:23 about universal sinfulness? Setting the Stage: Two Passages, One Reality John 15:22 and Romans 3:23 appear in very different contexts—one in the Upper Room discourse, the other in Paul’s sweeping doctrinal letter—yet together they paint a single, seamless picture of human sin and divine accountability. John 15:22 – Accountability Through Revelation “ ‘If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.’ ” • Jesus identifies His coming and speaking as the decisive act that strips away every excuse. • Sin was already present, but His words expose it, making its seriousness undeniable. • The “no excuse” clause underscores personal responsibility once divine truth is made plain (see also John 3:19–20). Romans 3:23 – The Universal Verdict “ ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ ” • “All” leaves no one outside the scope—Jew and Gentile alike (Romans 3:9). • Falling short is not merely lack of information; it is moral failure measured against God’s glory. How the Verses Interlock • John 15:22 focuses on conscious accountability after direct revelation—“they have no excuse.” • Romans 3:23 states the already-existing universal condition—“all have sinned.” • Together: Revelation (John 15:22) does not create sinfulness; it exposes and confirms it (Romans 3:23). Implications for Every Hearer Today • The spoken Word of Christ recorded in Scripture continues to remove excuses; modern readers stand in the same light as first-century hearers. • Recognition of universal sinfulness is not optional; it is the starting point for receiving grace (Romans 3:24). • Silence or ignorance is not a shield—God’s revelation in nature and conscience already witnesses against us (Romans 1:19–20). Additional Scriptures that Echo the Theme • Isaiah 53:6 – “All of us like sheep have gone astray.” • 1 John 1:8 – “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” • Hebrews 4:12–13 – The Word exposes thoughts and intentions, leaving “nothing hidden.” Key Takeaways to Remember • Jesus’ words eliminate every possible excuse for sin (John 15:22). • Scripture declares a universal verdict: all have sinned (Romans 3:23). • Revelation does not invent guilt; it uncovers it, calling all people to repent and believe the gospel (Acts 17:30). |
    |