Objective 9
- At the end of this topic, you will be able to explain, using Scripture, the condition of mankind(both Jew and Gentile) as to their relationship with God.
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Lesson 2: Man's Need of Salvation (Rom 1:18-3:20)
Topic 5: All the World Condemned (Rom 3:9-20)
Just as you learned from your study of Galatians, you have also seen in the first part of Romans that everyone has broken God's laws at one time or another and is therefore guilty and condemned. In this section of Romans 3, Paul uses a familiar quotation from the Old Testament to summarize the detailed argument he presented in previous chapters.
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The phrase "Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin" in Romans 3:9 is our key for this section. Remember that to the Jew the world consisted of only two groups of people: Jews and Gentiles. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul has shown us that the Gentiles are sinners and therefore under the judgment of God. In Romans 2:1-3:8, he shows that the Jews are likewise sinners and under the judgment of God.
Now in Romans 3:10-18, Paul quotes the psalmist and the prophets to give us the scriptural picture of the human heart. We notice two aspects of the condition of the whole human race:
1. Romans 3:9-12: A universal condemnation.
2. Romans 3:13-18: An intensive and personal sin both in speech and action.
Beginning with Romans 3:9, notice the repetition of the words both, all, no one, not even one, and together. By noting these words, you will better see Paul's conclusion; he is emphasizing that the need for salvation is universal and without exception.
After Paul has shown how extensive sin is, he points out how intensive it is. It affects every part of man, from head to toe. Read Romans 3:13-18. Picture the terrible sickness of the human race that it describes. Paul proves his argument from the Scriptures. (He quotes from Ps 5:9; 10:7; 14:1-4; 36:1; Isa 59:7; Eccl 7:20.) Paul does not mean that every member of the human race practices all the sins listed here. He uses these Old Testament passages to illustrate the general and personal sinfulness of mankind.
Paul uses the term "law" in Romans 3:19, referring to all the Old Testament Scriptures, not just the books of the Law. The Jews who were trusting in the Law to justify them (see Rom 2:17) cannot deny the verdict of "guilty" that the Law has passed on them. Read this verdict now in Romans 3:10-18.
As you saw in your study of Galatians, it was never the purpose of the Law to provide justification. To the man who was dirty with sin, the Law was a mirror, not soap. Its purpose was to show him his need of cleansing, not to make him clean.
It has been said that after you look at the picture of mankind in the Scriptures, the thing that surprises you most is not that anyone should be lost but that anyone should be saved! Certainly this is true when we read Romans 1-3. In this epistle and throughout the Scriptures, the exceeding wickedness of men stands in clear contrast to the mercy of God. We are saved by grace, unmerited favor.
"For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast" (Eph 2:8-9).
In the first three chapters of Romans, we see that all men everywhere need two things: pardon from the death sentence that their guilt has brought upon them and freedom from the power of sin that dominates their lives. This is what God offers them in the gospel. This is the good news that we are to take them.
Paul clearly saw that everyone everywhere needed the gospel. Their need drove him on in his labors and caused him to become the great missionary that he was. He speaks of this inner constraint as the love of Christ in him. One translation of 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, "For the love of Christ puts us into action." You too should let this knowledge that all men need the gospel move you to action in taking them the good news. This is the mission of the church. This is your mission. Pray that God will help you do your part as a witness for Him.
Enter your answer for the question in the "Course Life Notebook Questions" page found in the "Personal Life Notebook" section.
Now think briefly about the need of the people in your area and their attitude toward sin. Do they think of sin as you have seen it described in Romans? In your Life Notebook, outline some preliminary plans for how you will teach the message of God's judgment as seen in Romans. Do sinners seem conscious of their guilt and need for salvation? What kind of preaching is needed on these subjects? Which verses from Romans 1:18-3:20 would make good sermon texts? While you are thinking about it, write down the references of these texts and the subject of the message you would like to teach from each one.
