Romans 3:10-12

Context

From Romans 1:18 through 3:20, Paul argues that Gentiles and Jews alike are sinners before God. Having concluded in 3:9 that "they are all under sin," he supports that conclusion in verses 10–18 by linking together a series of Old Testament passages. Such a string of quotations is commonly called a catena ("chain of citations"). Verses 10–12 form its opening and are generally understood to render chiefly Psalm 14:1–3 (nearly identical to Psalm 53:1–3) in a form close to the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. Verse 10 also resembles Ecclesiastes 7:20. The argument proceeds through 3:20, which declares that "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified," and leads into 3:21 and following, which speak of the righteousness that comes through faith.

Interpretation

• Reformed (Presbyterian) reading: On the basis of "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God," this view holds that after the Fall human beings are unable to turn to God by their own power. This doctrine is called "total depravity," and the Westminster Confession of Faith and similar documents express the same idea. This view does not, however, take the passage to mean that people can do no good whatsoever. The social good done by unbelievers is explained by common grace, that is, the grace God extends to all people.
• Wesleyan (Methodist, Holiness, and related) reading: This tradition agrees that human beings by nature do not seek God. It holds, however, that the prevenient grace God first extends to all people opens the way for them to respond. Seeking God, in this view, does not originate in human beings but proceeds from grace.
• Contextual reading: Some commentators hold that the primary purpose of this passage is not to establish a doctrine of human nature. Rather, it is to show that Jews who possess the law are under sin just as Gentiles are, and thereby to reveal the need for justification.

Debates and Issues

In its original context, Psalm 14 contrasts "the fool" with the righteous. Paul, however, applies it to all people, and this has prompted discussion of how Paul uses Old Testament quotations. The phrase "they are together become unprofitable" in verse 12 renders a Greek word generally understood to mean "to become useless" or "to go bad." Differences among denominations concern less the meaning of the passage itself than how much soteriology can be drawn from it, as illustrated by the difference between Calvinism and Wesleyan theology described above.

In the Korean Church

The passage is reportedly cited often, together with Romans 3:23, in evangelistic preaching and evangelism training to explain that all people are under sin.

Related Passages

• Psalm 14:1-3
• Psalm 53:1-3
• Ecclesiastes 7:20
• Romans 1:18-25
• Romans 3:21-26