A Study of Romans (7)

Conclusion (v. 9)

In v. 9 Paul starts with a two part question “What then? Are we better than they?” as he sets up his answer and conclusion;

Paul has been leading up to this conclusion from 1:18 - 3:8;

Robert Picirilli says this, “Everything he has said prior to this verse leads to one clear and unmistakable conclusion, that all humanity stands justly condemned before God and in need of a righteousness it does not possess.”; Picirilli, R. E. (1975). The Book of Romans (p. 50). Nashville, TN: Randall House Publications.

Advantage Denied;

Paul has made it clear that the Jews had no advantage over the Gentiles when it comes to standing before God;

Paul is speaking of the area of guilt vs. innocence in the area of sin - there are no exceptions when it comes to sin (2:1 - 3:8);

Sin is sin regardless of status!

Accusation Declared;

Here is the key to the conclusion “all are under sin”;

There is a “universal” guilt to sin, there is no well it will be alright sin is sin.

Again Paul makes it clear that there is no special treatment in the area of sin, no one is beyond judgement;

“Under sin” can be understood as a penalty of sin or the power of sin;

This fits everyone not just a select few.

Unrighteous Actions (v. 10-12)

Here Paul begins to present evidence for what he concluded in v.9;

While the things Paul has pointed to are actual evidence from actual circumstances, Paul is now turns to scripture;

Paul shares scriptural citations, approximately 6 Old Testament passages, to confirm his conclusion;

Verses 10 - 12 bring out mostly the negative side of their action, as one theologian puts it “universal failure”;

Failure of righteousness, v. 10-12 are a comparisons of Psalm 14:1-3;

v.10 is basically the substance of the Psalm so Paul is pointing out man’s epic fail;

Failure in reasoning and reverence (v. 11), this points first to the fact that man has not been able grab truth about God or good knowledge about God under his own power - the second point is that man has failed to look for God from a spiritual stand point;

Failure in rectitude, respectability and reformation (v. 12), rectitude means straightness, uprightness, so the point is man has failed to stay the path that God has directed, the second point is that sin has spoiled us - made us worthless, corrupt, in God’s eyes, the third point man has not been able to completely turn for our basically bad heart and character.

Unfearing Conduct (v. 13-18)

Paul is stating here that all men a slant towards sinful action, some act on the slant more so than others;

Deceit (v. 13-14) - notice here Paul is describing organs, most likely to point out that what comes out of our mouth usually reflects our heart - inner wickedness;

Destruction (v. 15 - 17) - notice here Paul begins to talk about our actions and the reasoning behind them, man hurts man with no regard towards life - we travel a path of killing, causing destruction and misery and war;

Defiance (v. 18) - Now Paul gives the answer to v. 10 -17, man does not fear (respect) God!

The “open sepulchre” is an opened grave. The nauseous corruption of such a place is easy to imagine. “Deceit” is trickery, guile. The “poison of asps” is the dreadful snakebite. “Cursing” is profanity. “Bitterness” is gall, jealous hatred. Picirilli, R. E. (1975). The Book of Romans (p. 54). Nashville, TN: Randall House Publications.

Undeniable Condemnation (v. 19-20)

As Paul brings his conclusion of v. 9, he goes to the heart of the Old Testament scripture, the Mosiac Law to show the irrefutable truth of his thoughts;

Paul reveals why the law was given;

The Mosiac Law was never meant to be a way of achieving righteousness;

The Mosiac Law does not bring justification;

The does close the thought of our claim to righteousness;

The does bring a knowledge of sin.