Romans 3 16

Romans 3:16 kjv

Destruction and misery are in their ways:

Romans 3:16 nkjv

Destruction and misery are in their ways;

Romans 3:16 niv

ruin and misery mark their ways,

Romans 3:16 esv

in their paths are ruin and misery,

Romans 3:16 nlt

Destruction and misery always follow them.

Romans 3 verses

Romans 3 16 Meaning

Romans 3:16 declares that for those who do not walk in God's ways, ruin and suffering are inherent to their course of life. It describes the inevitable consequences and very nature of the path of sin, bringing about destructive outcomes and deep distress. This verse encapsulates the tragic state of humanity alienated from God, where their very journey is characterized by harmful effects and profound affliction.

Romans 3 16 Context

Romans chapter 3 builds upon Paul's argument in chapters 1 and 2, establishing the universal guilt of humanity, both Gentile and Jew, before a holy God. Verses 9-20 serve as a powerful catena (a chain of Old Testament quotations) meticulously assembled by Paul to underscore this pervasive sinfulness. Specifically, verses 15-17 directly quote from Isaiah 59:7-8 (Septuagint), which vividly describes the practical outcomes of a rebellious heart: swiftness to do evil and the resultant chaos and lack of peace. Romans 3:16, "Destruction and misery are in their paths," falls within this section, summarizing the desolate end and pervasive suffering associated with a life alienated from God. The historical and cultural context for the Roman audience, comprising both Jewish Christians clinging to the Law and Gentile Christians wrestling with their pagan past, emphasizes that sin's corrosive effect transcends ethnic or religious boundaries. This verse stands as a declaration of humanity's dire predicament, necessitating the divine solution presented later in the chapter: justification by faith.

Romans 3 16 Word analysis

• Destruction (Greek: syntrimma, συντρίμμα):

  • Significance: Denotes a state of brokenness, crushing, or utter ruin. It is more than mere damage; it implies a shattered or utterly spoiled condition. In the context of a path, it suggests the inherent ruin that follows or is embedded within one's life course.
  • Usage: Found in the Septuagint (LXX) translation of Isa 59:7, highlighting Paul's use of a familiar Greek translation of the Old Testament. It signifies the devastating effects of sin, not just on others but also on the perpetrator.

• and (Greek: kai, και):

  • Significance: A simple conjunctive, connecting "destruction" with "misery," indicating that these are two co-existent or inseparable aspects of the specified path. It underscores the dual burden experienced by those walking in sin.

• misery (Greek: talaipōria, ταλαιπωρία):

  • Significance: Conveys deep distress, hardship, affliction, or wretchedness. It points to the profound suffering, both internal and external, that results from a sinful existence. Unlike syntrimma which might focus on the physical or objective state of ruin, talaipōria highlights the subjective experience of enduring hardship and lament.
  • Usage: Also appears in Jas 5:1 in relation to the misery coming upon the rich who oppress, further confirming its connotation of deep affliction.

• are in (Greek: en, εν):

  • Significance: This preposition implies that "destruction and misery" are not merely things encountered along the path but are intrinsic to or found within the path itself. They are not accidental detours but defining characteristics of the way of life described. It suggests inevitability.

• their (Greek: autōn, αὐτῶν):

  • Significance: Refers back to "their feet" in the preceding verse (Rom 3:15), identifying the unrighteous whose actions lead to such outcomes. It makes the connection personal and specific to those living according to their sinful nature, universally speaking.

• paths (Greek: hodoisi, ὁδοῖσι, dative plural of hodos):

  • Significance: "Paths" metaphorically represents one's way of life, course of action, or conduct. It speaks to the overall journey and direction taken by an individual. The plural indicates the manifold aspects and choices of life. The implication is that wherever these individuals go, and in whatever they do, ruin and suffering characterize their journey.
  • Usage: This metaphor is common in Scripture (e.g., Ps 1:6; Prov 4:18-19) to describe moral or spiritual conduct.

• "Destruction and misery are in their paths": This phrase highlights the intrinsic consequences of an unrighteous life. It's not just that their actions cause destruction and misery, but that destruction and misery are part of their very way of life. The choice of two strong terms, syntrimma (utter ruin) and talaipōria (deep distress/affliction), coupled with the preposition "in" (en), emphasizes the profound and pervasive negativity. It signifies a comprehensive state where their existence itself is defined by these painful realities, a self-destructive cycle. This is the direct fruit of living contrary to God's peace and righteousness, flowing from the inner depravity and external actions detailed in the preceding verses.

Romans 3 16 Bonus section

Paul's skillful use of the Septuagintal quote from Isaiah 59:7 is crucial for both Jewish and Gentile audiences. For Jews, it resonated with familiar prophetic condemnation. For Gentiles, familiar with the common Greek translation, it demonstrated that their own sacred texts foresaw the universal human condition described. The cumulative effect of the catena in Rom 3:9-18, where this verse resides, is not just to list individual sins, but to paint a holistic and devastating picture of human depravity from heart to speech to action, concluding with the inevitable outcome: destruction and misery, and the absence of the way of peace (v. 17). This deep and inherent corrupted state, as presented by Paul, establishes the profound inability of humanity to save itself, thereby magnifying the glorious grace of God in Christ which is about to be revealed as the sole remedy.

Romans 3 16 Commentary

Romans 3:16 stands as a stark declaration of the inevitable outcome for humanity outside of God's saving grace. Drawing directly from Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 59:7), Paul asserts that the unregenerate life is inherently characterized by ruin (syntrimma) and profound suffering (talaipōria). These are not merely potential hazards or external events, but defining features woven into the very fabric of "their paths"—meaning their choices, conduct, and entire way of life. This verse serves as a crucial component in Paul's argument for universal sinfulness, demonstrating that the rejection of God's ways naturally leads to a self-inflicted spiritual, and often practical, desolation. It underlines that sin is not just an occasional transgression but a pervasive condition leading to deep personal and communal distress. This truth drives home the urgent need for God's divine intervention, culminating in the offer of righteousness through faith in Christ Jesus, which is the direct antithesis to this path of destruction.