Romans 3:9-20

All Are Under Sin (vv. 9-18)

While there is religious privilege to having access to God’s word, there is no salvific privilege

Being a Jew brings someone no closer to salvation than being a gentile does, for all have sinned!

To prove this point, a conglomeration of various scriptures are piled together

Sin is universal (vv. 10-12) -> the fool lives as though there is no God (Ps. 14:1-3, also see Ps. 53:1-3)

That is that they have completely failed to understand God and failed to seek God

This is plainly evident in our natures which reject the holiness of God and exhort our own understanding

The sinful behavior of man that leads to misunderstanding and rejection makes the individual worthless

There is none good -> not that they are incapable of good, but rather that their lives are naturally self-centered and never naturally God-centered

Sin of speech (vv. 13-14) -> the tongue is quite an un-tameable issue! -> also taken from the Psalms

Their speech is the sound of death and is unclean before God that takes in and exudes death

They lie, enticing with venomous words to kill all they lure -> this is the way of wicked man!

Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, when what we need is blessing and sweetness

Not only is every person naturally sinful, but they convince others that their sinful ways are right

Sin of violence (vv. 15-17) -> taken from Isaiah -> beyond the mouth, their evil spreads to their feet

The way of the world is violence, from nations to individuals!

The one carrying the biggest stick wins at the expense of harming others

They shed blood, destroy, and only know misery and turmoil -> a total lack of peace

The paths of God are peace and security (Is. 35:8), while the paths of man are destruction (Is. 33:8)

Sin of not fearing God (v. 19) -> mankind is so defiled and depraved because they do not fear God

Fearing God, both in terror and reverence, is the key to Godliness, and a lack of fear is the key to sinfulness

If the world feared God, they would listen!

Every Mouth Will Be Shut (vv. 19-20)

The law speaks to those subject to the law and creation speaks to everyone

Notice that the law DOES in fact speak!

The issue is, the message has been misunderstood!

Every mouth will be shut and the whole world will be subject to the judgement of God

Every single individual is wicked before God, and no excuse will work (Ps. 63:11; Mat. 7:21-23)

No one will be justified by the works of the law, because the law only teaches us of our sin

Instead of using the advantage, many people turn their knowledge of God to a disadvantage through pride

All need the Lord, and all includes you!