Romans Chapter 3 - All Are Consigned to SinPart C - Universal Sin

Man's Corrupt Condition

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Romans 3:9-10 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, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one..."


This is a summary condemnation. It refers to the whole race of humanity, and includes all the specific transgressions listed afterwards. The nicest pagan person you know is not righteous, but totally depraved. His or her mind, emotions and will serve only their own interests, no matter how lofty their ideals in purely human terms. Human righteousness is a terrible red-herring. It is, by definition, self-righteousness, because it does not come from God. It is not pure, but rather alloyed with sin and therefore utterly sinful – since sin corrupts utterly, as Adam has shown.

As a Christian, you are not righteous. It is neither your righteousness plus Christ’s, nor is it Christ’s righteousness given to you – but it is Christ’s righteousness in you and you in Christ’s righteousness. You don’t own it. You will never own it. He may give it freely, but if you want to be like Him you will not grasp it. Do you begin to see? The moment you grasp it you lose it! Just abide in it.

God alone is righteous (Mark 10:18). Can we admit that to the very core of our being? It is liberating. At last you can be still and know that He is God.