What is the meaning of Romans 3:10? As it is written Paul pauses in Romans 3:10 to appeal to Scripture itself, rooting his argument in the Old Testament (Psalm 14:1–3; Psalm 53:1–3). By prefacing with “As it is written,” he reinforces that what follows is not a new opinion but God’s settled testimony. Other writers show the same confidence: Jesus points to “It is written” in Matthew 4:4, and Peter declares that “no prophecy was ever brought about by the will of man” (2 Peter 1:21). In every case, the phrase is a call to submit to God’s unchanging Word. There is no one righteous, Scripture here draws a clear line: righteousness—measured by God’s perfect standard—is absent in the human race. Isaiah 64:6 notes, “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags,” while Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins”. Paul has just shown in Romans 1–2 that both Gentiles and Jews stand guilty. Key takeaways: • Righteousness is not relative; it mirrors God’s own holiness (Leviticus 19:2). • Moral effort, heritage, or religious ritual cannot bridge the gap (Romans 3:20). • The verdict levels every social, cultural, and religious distinction (Galatians 3:22). not even one. The Spirit-inspired repetition eliminates every possible exception. Psalm 143:2 urges, “Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before You”. Even revered figures like Noah, Job, and Daniel were declared righteous only by faith (Hebrews 11:7, 33). Bullet-point implications: • Every person shares a common need: salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). • Self-reliance is exposed as futile; boasting is silenced (Romans 3:27). • God’s solution must come from outside us, fulfilled in Christ’s atoning work (2 Corinthians 5:21). summary Romans 3:10 states God’s sweeping indictment: rooted in Scripture (“As it is written”), universal in scope (“There is no one righteous”), and without exceptions (“not even one”). Humanity’s total lack of inherent righteousness underscores the necessity of the gospel: justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. By embracing this truth, believers find freedom from self-confidence and joy in the all-sufficient righteousness God provides in His Son. |
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