BEREAN.AI ← Ask a Question

Summary of Romans 3:9-18 Universal Sinfulness

In Romans 3:9-18, the Apostle Paul argues for the universal sinfulness of humanity, establishing that both Jews and Gentiles are equally subject to sin and unable to achieve righteousness through their own efforts [7]. This passage serves as a foundational argument before Paul introduces the concept of righteousness through faith in Christ [7].

Paul begins in Romans 3:9 by asking, "What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin" (ESV). This statement sets the stage for his comprehensive indictment of humanity. The phrase "under sin" signifies being under sin's power and dominion [7].

To support this claim, Paul compiles a catena (a chain of quotations) from various Old Testament passages, primarily from the Psalms and Isaiah, to paint a stark picture of human depravity. These verses are not merely illustrative but are presented as authoritative declarations of humanity's fallen state.

The sequence of quotations includes:

The cumulative effect of these quotations is to demonstrate that sin is pervasive, affecting every aspect of human existence—intellect, will, speech, and action [3]. This universal sinfulness means that "all have sinned, and are depriued of the glorie of God" [1]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Romans 3:23 states that while individuals differ in the nature and extent of their sinfulness, "there is absolutely no difference between the best and the worst of men, in the fact that 'all have sinned,' and so underlie the wrath of God" [10].

The concept of universal sinfulness is deeply connected to the doctrine of the Fall of Man, where humanity's disobedience through Adam led to a corrupted nature [3]. As a result, all individuals are "born in sin" and are "a child of wrath" [3]. This inherited condition is often referred to as original sin. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, explains that by Adam's transgression, all are placed "under the curse," meaning humanity is made "obnoxious to the justice of God" [9]. Augustine, in his Homilies on the Gospels, also distinguishes between individual sins and the "one sin, in and by which all have sinned," referring to original sin [11].

The consequence of this universal sinfulness is condemnation and spiritual death [2, 6]. Spiritual death is characterized by alienation from God, carnal-mindedness, and walking in trespasses and sins [6]. This state leads to eternal death, which is the "necessary consequence of sin" and the "wages of sin" [4].

Paul's argument in Romans 3:9-18 is crucial for understanding the necessity of God's righteousness provided through faith. By establishing that no one can be justified by works of the law, he prepares the reader for the revelation of God's saving grace in Christ [7]. The law, in this context, serves to make sin known and to silence every mouth, demonstrating that the whole world is accountable to God [5]. As John Gill notes on Romans 3:19, "all have sinned... This is the general character of all mankind; all have sinned in Adam, are guilty by his sin, polluted with it, and condemned for it; all are sinners in themselves, and by their own actual transgressions" [8].

Sources

  1. Romans “Romans 3:23 (Geneva1599) — For there is no difference: for all haue sinned, and are depriued of the glorie of God,”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Condemnation — The sentence of God against sin -- Mt 25:41. Universal, caused by the offence of Adam -- Ro 5:12,16,18. Inseparable consequence of sin -- Pr 12:2; Ro 6:23. Increased by Impenitence. -- Mt 11:20-24. Unbelief. -- Joh 3:18,19. Pride. -- 1Ti 3:6. Oppression. -- Jas 5:1-5. Hypocrisy. -- Mt 23:14. Conscience testifies to the justice of -- Job 9:20; Ro 2:1; Tit 3:11. The law testifies to the justice of -- Ro 3:19. According to men's deserts -- Mt 12:37; 2Co 11:15. Saints are delivered from, by Christ -- Joh 3:18; 5:24; Ro 8:1,33,34. Of the wicked, an example ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death, Eternal — The necessary consequence of sin -- Ro 6:16,21; 8:13; Jas 1:15. The wages of sin -- Ro 6:23. The portion of the wicked -- Mt 25:41,46; Ro 1:32. The way to, described -- Ps 9:17; Mt 7:13. Self-righteousness leads to -- Pr 14:12. God alone can inflict -- Mt 10:28; Jas 4:12. Is described as Banishment from God. -- 2Th 1:9. Society with the devil &c. -- Mt 25:41. A lake of fire. -- Re 19:20; 21:8. The worm that dies not. -- Mr 9:44. Outer darkness. -- Mt 25:30. A mist of darkness for ever. -- 2Pe 2:17. Indignation, wrath, &c. -- Ro 2:8,9. Is called Destr”
  5. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 3:19 cross-references: 1 Samuel 2:9, Job 5:16, Job 9:2, Psalms 107:42, Ezekiel 16:63, Matthew 22:12, John 8:9, John 10:34, John 15:25, Romans 1:20, Romans 2:1, Romans 2:12, Romans 3:2, Romans 3:4, Romans 3:9, Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 1:29, 1 Corinthians 9:20, Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 4:5, Galatians 4:21, Galatians 5:18”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death, Spiritual — Alienation from God is -- Eph 4:18. Carnal-mindedness is -- Ro 8:6. Walking in trespasses and sins is -- Eph 2:1; Col 2:13. Spiritual ignorance is -- Isa 9:2; Mt 4:16; Lu 1:79; Eph 4:18. Unbelief is -- Joh 3:36; 1Jo 5:12. Living in pleasure is -- 1Ti 5:6. Hypocrisy is -- Re 3:1,2. Is a consequence of the fall -- Ro 5:15. Is the state of all men by nature -- Ro 6:13; 8:6. The fruits of, are dead works -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. A call to arise from -- Eph 5:14. Deliverance from, is through Christ -- Joh 5:24,25; Eph 2:5; 1Jo 5:12. Saints are raised from -- R”
  7. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  8. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 3:19: For all have sinned,.... This is the general character of all mankind; all have sinned in Adam, are guilty by his sin, polluted with it, and condemned for it; all are sinners in themselves, and by their own actual transgressions; this is the case of the whole world, and of all the men in it; not only of the Gentiles, but of the Jews, and the more righteous among them: hence there is no difference in the state and condition of men by nature; nor is there any reason from and in themselves, why God saves one and not another; nor any room to despair of the grace and right”
  9. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 37: by God, to whom nothing is acceptable but righteousness, innocence, and purity. This is not liability for another’s fault. For when it is said, that the sin of Adam has made us obnoxious to the justice of God, the meaning is not, that we, who are in ourselves innocent and blameless, are bearing his guilt, but that since by his transgression we are all placed under the curse, he is said to have brought us under obligation. 146 146 The French is, “Car en ce qui est d’t, que par Adam nous sommes fait redevables au jugement de Dieu, ce”
  10. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:23: for all have sinned--Though men differ greatly in the nature and extent of their sinfulness, there is absolutely no difference between the best and the worst of men, in the fact that "all have sinned," and so underlie the wrath of God. and come short of the glory--or "praise" of God--that is, "have failed to earn His approbation" (compare Joh 12:43, Greek). So the best interpreters.”
  11. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. II [X.]--DISTINCTION BETWEEN ACTUAL: AND ORIGINAL SIN. (3) Again, in the clause which follows, "In which all have sinned," how cautiously, rightly, and unambiguously is the statement expressed! For if yon understand that sin to be meant which by one man entered into the world, "In which [sin] all have sinned," it is surely clear enough, that the sins which are peculiar to every man, which they themselves commit and which belong simply to them, mean one thing; and that the one sin, in and by which all have sinned, means another thing; since all wer”
Ask Your Own Question
About Terms Privacy Contact

© 2026 BEREAN.AI. All rights reserved.