Romans 3:10
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Romans 3:10
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "no, not one" is actually an addition from the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament text, not present in the original Hebrew. This emphatic addition highlights how the Jewish Scriptures themselves, when understood fully, declare a universal lack of righteousness, leaving no room for self-exaltation. It magnifies the stark truth that all humanity, regardless of background, falls short.
Paul is building his case that no one, neither Jew nor Gentile, is righteous before God. He's already established this general point in the previous verse and now begins to systematically prove it by quoting Old Testament passages that vividly describe humanity's fallen state. These verses, drawn from various Psalms and Isaiah, will detail not just the general inclination toward sin, but also its specific manifestations in thought, word, and deed, all stemming from a fundamental lack of God-centeredness.
Paul doesn't just state a problem; he declares it as fact, backed by the authority of the Old Testament. What does it mean that Scripture itself declares this universal lack of righteousness?
Paul grounds his argument in the Old Testament, quoting Psalm 14:1-3 (and 53:1-3). This isn't just Paul's opinion; it's God's assessment of humanity as revealed in His Word.
A Universal Scan
The Standard of Righteousness
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If the Bible paints such a grim picture of human nature, what's the point? It's not to leave us in despair, but to direct us somewhere else entirely.
The declaration of universal unrighteousness serves a crucial purpose in Paul's argument: it demolishes any notion that human effort or religious observance can achieve salvation.
No Self-Justification
The Doorway to Mercy
Understand the original words
dikaios · Greek Adjective
The state of moral rectitude or being 'right' with God, characterized by conformity to His holy standard and character, a standing that is unattainable by human effort alone.
Paul’s quotation from the Old Testament (Psalms and Isaiah) was particularly resonant with his Jewish audience, reminding them that their own sacred Scriptures testified to a universal human sinfulness that even they, God's chosen people, could not escape.
c. 1000 BC - c. 950 BC
David's Reign
King David, known for his own struggles and repentance, composed many Psalms, including Psalm 14 (and Psalm 53), which speaks of widespread human unrighteousness.
c. 750 BC - c. 700 BC
Prophetic Ministry of Isaiah
During a period of spiritual decline in Judah, Isaiah delivered powerful prophecies, including passages Paul later quotes in Romans 3 that describe the moral decay and sinfulness of God's people.
c. 400 BC
Septuagint Translation
The Old Testament scriptures, including the Psalms and Isaiah, were translated into Greek, making them accessible to a wider audience, including Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians. Paul frequently quotes from this Greek translation (the Septuagint).
c. AD 30 - 33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central event of Christian faith, demonstrating God's solution to human sinfulness and providing the basis for righteousness through faith.
c. AD 50s— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul established a church in Corinth and likely wrote his letter to the Romans from this city, reflecting on his ministry and theological insights.
c. AD 57
Writing of the Epistle to the Romans
Paul penned this letter to the church in Rome to explain the gospel of God's righteousness, which is received through faith in Jesus Christ, addressing both Jewish and Gentile believers.
This is the primary Old Testament passage Paul is quoting from, establishing the ancient roots of this declaration about universal human unrighteousness.
Isaiah 59:7-8This passage from Isaiah further illustrates the pervasive nature of sin, detailing the destructive paths and lack of peace that characterize humanity apart from God.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse speaks to the deep-seated corruption of the human heart, echoing the theme that no one can claim inherent righteousness due to their innermost nature.
1 John 1:8-10John directly addresses the idea of self-deception regarding sin, reinforcing Paul's point that claiming to be without sin is to make God a liar, as all have indeed sinned.
Romans 3:23Paul immediately follows this quote with 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' directly connecting the Old Testament declaration to his overarching argument about universal sinfulness.
barnesRomans 3:10: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
As it is written - The apostle is reasoning with Jews; and he proceeds to show from their own Scriptures, that what he had affirmed was true. The point to be proved was, that the Jews, in the matter of justification, had no advantage or preference over the Gentiles; that the Jew had failed to keep the Law which had been given him, as the Gentile had failed to keep the Law which had been given him; and that both, therefore, w…
meyerRomans 3:10: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
Romans 3:10-18 . Conformity with Scripture of the charge referred to, Ἰουδαίους τε καὶ Ἕλλην . πάντ . ὑφʼ ἁμ . εἶναι , so far ( Romans 3:19 ) as this charge cuts off from the Jews every προέχεσθαι of Romans 3:9 . The recitative ὅτι introduces citations from Scripture very various in character, which after the national habit (Surenhusius, καταλλ . thes. 7) are arranged in immediate succession. They are taken from the LXX., th…
The phrase "no, not one" is actually an addition from the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament text, not present in the original Hebrew. This emphatic addition highlights how the Jewish Scriptures themselves, when understood fully, declare a universal lack of righteousness, leaving no room for self-exaltation. It magnifies the stark truth that all humanity, regardless of background, falls short.
Paul is building his case that no one, neither Jew nor Gentile, is righteous before God. He's already established this general point in the previous verse and now begins to systematically prove it by quoting Old Testament passages that vividly describe humanity's fallen state. These verses, drawn from various Psalms and Isaiah, will detail not just the general inclination toward sin, but also its specific manifestations in thought, word, and deed, all stemming from a fundamental lack of God-centeredness.
Paul is building his case that no one, neither Jew nor Gentile, is righteous before God. He's already established this general point in the previous verse and now begins to systematically prove it by quoting Old Testament passages that vividly describe humanity's fallen state. These verses, drawn from various Psalms and Isaiah, will detail not just the general inclination toward sin, but also its specific manifestations in thought, word, and deed, all stemming from a fundamental lack of God-centeredness.
"as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;" — The phrase "no, not one" is actually an addition from the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament text, not present in the original Hebrew. This emphatic addition highlights how the Jewish Script…
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