Romans 3 10

Romans 3:10 kjv

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:10 nkjv

As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:10 niv

As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

Romans 3:10 esv

as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:10 nlt

As the Scriptures say, "No one is righteous ?
not even one.

Romans 3 verses

Romans 3 10 Meaning

Romans 3:10 declares that no human being is inherently righteous by nature or by their own efforts in God's sight. It asserts a universal deficiency in humanity, stating unequivocally that not a single person meets God's perfect standard of justice and uprightness. This foundational truth establishes the premise for humanity's desperate need for a righteousness provided outside of themselves.

Romans 3 10 Context

Romans 3:10 forms a critical component of Paul's sustained argument in the first three chapters of Romans, establishing the universal need for God's righteousness by faith. Prior to this verse, Paul meticulously demonstrates that both Gentiles (Rom 1:18-32) and Jews (Rom 2:1-3:8) are under the power of sin. Gentiles, without the Law, stood condemned by their conscience and creation's testimony; Jews, despite possessing the Law and covenant, proved unfaithful to it, showing that their external adherence did not guarantee internal righteousness or prevent sin. Paul brings this argument to a head in Romans 3:9, declaring "both Jews and Greeks are all under sin." Verse 10, then, functions as irrefutable scriptural evidence, pulling from Old Testament psalms and other wisdom literature, to confirm the utter and complete spiritual bankruptcy of all humanity, thus silencing any human claim to righteousness and preparing the ground for the gospel of God's provided righteousness through Christ.

Romans 3 10 Word analysis

• as it is written (καθώς γέγραπται - kathōs gegraptai):
  • kathōs (as, just as): Indicates an exact or authoritative quotation, establishing Paul's reliance on and reverence for Old Testament scripture.
  • gegraptai (it has been written): This is a perfect passive indicative verb. The perfect tense emphasizes a completed action with continuing results; thus, the scripture stands written and remains eternally true. The passive voice emphasizes that this writing is divine; it's God's inspired word, not a human opinion. This phrase lends ultimate divine authority to the statements that follow. Paul is not stating a new doctrine but drawing upon established truth.
• None (Οὐκ - Ouk):
  • This is a strong, emphatic Greek negative particle. It denotes absolute negation, leaving no room for exceptions. It functions to deny utterly what follows.
• is (ἔστιν - estin):
  • A form of the verb "to be," in the present tense. It signifies a current and unchanging state of being. The lack of righteousness is not temporary or circumstantial, but intrinsic to the unredeemed human condition.
• righteous (δίκαιος - dikaios):
  • Refers to one who is just, upright, conforming to a divine standard of rightness. In the context of God, it means being in a right standing before Him, innocent and deserving of His approval. This word carries a legal and moral weight; it is not simply "good" in a human sense, but meeting God's holy and perfect standard, which no human can achieve inherently.
• no, not one (οὐδὲ εἷς - oude heis):
  • oude (not even, nor): An intensified negative, further strengthening the previous "ouk." It pushes the absolute negation to its extreme.
  • heis (one, a single one): This word, used in its masculine singular form, underscores that not even one individual person is an exception to this universal condemnation. It emphasizes the complete absence of inherent righteousness on a personal level, leaving no one outside this truth, regardless of race, status, or outward performance. It thoroughly demolishes any claim of individual self-righteousness.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "as it is written: 'None is righteous...'": This phrase sets the stage for a divine declaration. It underscores that the ensuing truth is not Paul's personal revelation or argument, but an enduring, authoritative word from God Himself found in Scripture. It implies universality and unchanging truth across time.
• "None is righteous, no, not one": This complete statement of negative capability functions as a decisive and comprehensive indictment of humanity. It presents a stark, undeniable reality: humanity's fundamental inability to meet God's standard of perfect righteousness. The double negative, coupled with the specification of "not one," forms an overwhelming affirmation of universal unrighteousness, making escape impossible for any individual. It underscores the severity of humanity's predicament before a holy God.

Romans 3 10 Bonus section

The collection of Old Testament verses Paul draws upon for Romans 3:10-18 is often referred to by scholars as Paul's "chain of proof texts" (or catena). He doesn't just quote one verse, but compiles several passages from Psalms (like 14, 53, 5), Proverbs (1:16), and Isaiah (59:7-8, 6:7) to build an irrefutable case for humanity's universal depravity, from intellect to action, to speech, to the heart's motivations. Romans 3:10 serves as the direct initial assertion, but it sets the stage for the comprehensive list of human failings that follow (Rom 3:11-18), showing that every facet of human existence is touched by unrighteousness. This demonstrates Paul's master use of Scripture and underscores that the concept of universal sinfulness was not a new teaching, but a consistent theme throughout the prophetic and wisdom literature of the Old Covenant. This profound truth lays bare the bankruptcy of all human efforts to attain righteousness and therefore magnifies the glory and necessity of God's provision of righteousness through faith in Christ, found only outside of ourselves.

Romans 3 10 Commentary

Romans 3:10 stands as a devastating summary of the human condition, foundational to the entire gospel message. Paul employs this quotation from the Old Testament to conclusively demonstrate that every person, irrespective of background or moral achievement, stands condemned before a holy God. This verse is not about human societal goodness or civic virtue, but about an absolute and pervasive lack of spiritual righteousness, rendering all humanity legally and morally bankrupt in God's eyes. It dismantles any claim to self-salvation or merit before God, affirming that no one can earn His favor or attain right standing through their own efforts or adherence to a law, be it moral, ceremonial, or civil.

The significance of "no, not one" is profound; it leaves no room for exceptions. This truth forces individuals to abandon reliance on their own perceived goodness or external acts and instead look outside themselves for the righteousness that God requires. It underpins the necessity of the gospel of grace, where God imputes the righteousness of Christ to those who believe, as elaborated later in Romans. Without understanding this absolute human inability to be righteous, the profound solution offered by Christ loses its urgency and power. For instance, an individual might think their good deeds will balance out their sins, but this verse explicitly states such efforts are insufficient. It is a call to radical humility, revealing the utter spiritual need that only divine intervention can meet.