Read & explore together
There Is No One Righteous
Paul states plainly that no group can claim moral superiority before God. In these verses he gathers strong words about human speech, actions and attitude, then explains what the law can and cannot do.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
Romans 3:9-20 is written as teaching in a letter. Paul begins with a question about whether “we” are better, answers no, and says both Jews and Greeks are under sin. He then quotes written words about human wrongdoing and concludes with the law’s role in exposing sin rather than justifying people.
Romans 3:9–20Main takeaway
This passage teaches that all people stand under sin, and that the law reveals sin rather than making anyone righteous before God.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01All are under sinPaul opens with a direct question: are “we” better than “they”? His answer is decisive: “No, in no way.”
Explanation
Paul opens with a direct question: are “we” better than “they”? His answer is decisive: “No, in no way.” He says both Jews and Greeks are all under sin. That means this problem is universal, not limited to one ethnic or religious group within his argument.
02No one is naturally righteousPaul supports his point by citing written words: no one is righteous, no one understands, no one seeks after God, and all have turned away.
Explanation
Paul supports his point by citing written words: no one is righteous, no one understands, no one seeks after God, and all have turned away. “Unprofitable” shows uselessness for the good that should be present. The repeated “no one” and “all” underline the total reach of sin.
03Sin shows itself in words and waysThe passage then describes the effects of sin in vivid terms. Speech is corrupted by deceit, poison, cursing and bitterness.
Explanation
The passage then describes the effects of sin in vivid terms. Speech is corrupted by deceit, poison, cursing and bitterness. Conduct is also damaged, with bloodshed, destruction, misery and ignorance of peace. These pictures show sin affecting both what people say and the paths they take.
04No fear of God, and the law exposes guiltAt the root, Paul says there is “no fear of God before their eyes”. He then explains that the law speaks so every mouth may be closed and all the world brought under God’s judgment.
Explanation
At the root, Paul says there is “no fear of God before their eyes”. He then explains that the law speaks so every mouth may be closed and all the world brought under God’s judgment. Works of the law do not justify; instead, through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Paul begin by asking whether “we” are better than “they”, and how does he answer it?
Look at the whole sentence in Romans 3:9 and notice that Paul includes both Jews and Greeks under sin.
02Which parts of human life are described as affected by sin in this passage?
Trace the descriptions of understanding, seeking, speech, actions and attitude toward God across the verses.
03According to Paul, what does the law do, and what does it not do?
Compare Romans 3:19 with Romans 3:20 to see the law’s role in silencing excuses and giving knowledge of sin, not justification.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 3:9–20
9What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
10As it is written, “There is no one righteous; no, not one.
11There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God.
12They have all turned away. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.”
13“Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” “The poison of vipers is under their lips.”
14“Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15“Their feet are swift to shed blood.
16Destruction and misery are in their ways.
17The way of peace, they haven’t known.”
18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.
20Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.