Romans 3 11

Romans 3:11 kjv

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Romans 3:11 nkjv

There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

Romans 3:11 niv

there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.

Romans 3:11 esv

no one understands; no one seeks for God.

Romans 3:11 nlt

No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.

Romans 3 verses

Romans 3 11 Meaning

Romans 3:11 declares a fundamental truth about fallen humanity: no one naturally possesses spiritual understanding, nor does anyone inherently seek after God for salvation. This verse underscores the pervasive effect of sin, impacting human intellect and will, leading to a state of spiritual ignorance and disinclination toward a relationship with the true God. It is a powerful statement asserting humanity's utter inability to save themselves or even initiate their redemption.

Romans 3 11 Context

Romans 3:11 is part of a crucial section in Paul's Epistle to the Romans, specifically from verses 9 through 20. Here, Paul builds his case for the universal sinfulness of humanity, asserting that both Jews and Gentiles are "under sin" (Rom 3:9). To solidify this claim, Paul cites a catena (a chain) of Old Testament scriptures, primarily from Psalms (14, 53) and Isaiah. These verses serve as judicial declarations of humanity's guilt and profound spiritual incapacity before a holy God. Romans 3:11, drawing directly from Psalm 14:2-3 and 53:2-3, establishes the inherent spiritual blindness and apathy that renders humanity incapable of seeking out God on their own. This strong indictment sets the stage for Paul's exposition of God's righteous provision for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-26), making clear that justification must come entirely from God's grace, as human beings cannot achieve it by their own understanding or effort.

Romans 3 11 Word analysis

• There is none: (Greek: οὐκ ἔστιν – ouk estin). The negative adverb "οὐκ" (ouk) means "no" or "not." Combined with "ἔστιν" (estin, meaning "there is"), it forms an absolute and categorical negation. This is not a partial or rare condition, but a universal state of humanity. It powerfully emphasizes the pervasive impact of sin.
• who understands: (Greek: συνιῶν – syniōn). This is the present active participle of the verb συνίημι (syniemi).
  • Syniemi means "to bring together, to unite," and by extension, "to comprehend, to perceive, to understand intelligently." It refers to a spiritual insight or discernment, not merely intellectual knowledge or mental acuity.
  • The significance is that it points to humanity's spiritual blindness and inability to rightly perceive or appreciate God's truth, holiness, and their own fallen condition. Sin has warped the human capacity for spiritual wisdom.
• there is none: (Greek: οὐκ ἔστιν – ouk estin). Repeated from the first part, reinforcing the universal negation for the second characteristic as well.
• who seeks after God: (Greek: ἐκζητῶν τὸν θεόν – ekzētōn ton theon).
  • Ekzētōn is the present active participle of the verb ἐκζητέω (ekzēteō). The prefix "ἐκ" (ek) means "out" or "from," often intensifying the root word. Zēteō means "to seek." So, ekzēteō means "to seek out," "to seek diligently," "to search thoroughly." It implies an earnest, active, and persistent search.
  • Ton theon (τὸν θεόν) literally means "the God," using the definite article to refer specifically to the one true God, Yahweh.
  • The significance here is profound: natural, fallen humanity, left to itself, does not genuinely desire or earnestly search for a saving relationship with the true God. Any perceived "seeking" in human efforts to reconcile with God apart from His initiation is not what the Scripture here means.

Words-group analysis:

• "There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God": The coupling of "understanding" and "seeking" highlights a comprehensive spiritual deficiency. Without true understanding (spiritual discernment of God's reality and requirements), there will be no genuine seeking (active pursuit of relationship with Him). The absence of both demonstrates a deep, fundamental spiritual corruption that renders humanity entirely dependent on God's divine intervention for salvation. This lack is not about common human benevolence or natural curiosity; it's about the essential disposition of the heart and mind towards the living God in a salvific way.

Romans 3 11 Bonus section

This verse is central to the doctrine of "total depravity" or "total inability," often misunderstood to mean that humans are as evil as they can possibly be. However, it signifies that sin has corrupted every aspect of human nature (intellect, will, emotions, conscience), making no part of a person truly free from sin's influence, and thus, incapable of responding to God in a salvific way without divine enablement. It means that, in our natural state, there's no inherent spiritual spark that would autonomously lead us to understand or truly seek after God for salvation. This truth underscores that any understanding or seeking of God that genuinely leads to repentance and faith is ultimately a result of God's prevenient grace, where He draws, enables, and regenerates. Jesus himself confirms this when He states, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (Jn 6:44). Thus, Romans 3:11 does not negate God's call to humanity or human responsibility to respond to God, but it powerfully establishes God's absolute sovereignty and prior action in initiating salvation.

Romans 3 11 Commentary

Romans 3:11, drawing from ancient scripture, succinctly articulates humanity's desperate spiritual state prior to God's redemptive work. It presents a stark picture of radical depravity, where fallen human beings possess neither the capacity to spiritually comprehend God's truth nor the inclination to earnestly seek after Him. This is not to say that people cannot understand basic facts about God or ask questions about Him, but rather that their spiritual discernment (understanding) is skewed by sin, rendering them unable to grasp His holiness, justice, and the true depth of their own sinfulness. Consequently, without this spiritual understanding, there is no genuine desire or pursuit (seeking) for God as the ultimate source of salvation and truth. This truth is foundational to Paul's gospel message: since humanity is utterly lost and incapable of saving itself or even initiating salvation, God's gracious provision through Christ becomes absolutely necessary and gloriously central. Any move towards God, any seeking or understanding, must therefore originate from God's prior initiative and enabling grace.