Romans 3:10-12
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse emphasizes that no one is righteous by adding "no, not one," which amplifies the statement and makes it clear that even a single exception is impossible, underscoring the absolute universality of human sinfulness. This addition, though not in the original Hebrew of the Psalm quoted, strengthens the apostle's point that no one, whether Jew or Gentile, can stand blameless before God on their own merit.
Paul is making the case that everyone—both Jews and Gentiles—is under the power of sin. To prove this, he begins to cite Old Testament passages that describe humanity's fallen nature. This verse, the first in a string of quotations, establishes the universal lack of righteousness across the board, setting the stage for the subsequent descriptions of sinful behavior and their ultimate source.
The Bible doesn't pull any punches when describing humanity's spiritual condition. It claims a total lack of righteousness, not just for a few bad apples, but for everyone.
The Apostle Paul cites Old Testament Scripture (specifically Psalm 14:1-3 and Psalm 53:1-3) to make a radical point: humanity, in its natural state, is fundamentally broken.
A Universal Verdict
What does it actually mean to be 'righteous' in God's eyes? Paul unpacks this by showing what it looks like when that righteousness is absent.
The concept of 'righteousness' (dikaios) here isn't just about correct belief; it's deeply tied to action and disposition.
The Absence of Goodness
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.
syniōn · Greek Verb (participle)
To comprehend with the mind and spirit, specifically regarding spiritual truths and the nature of God. Biblically, this implies a heart-level perception that leads to knowledge of God's will.
ekzētōn · Greek Verb (participle)
To actively pursue, inquire after, or desire a relationship with God. In a fallen state, humanity is incapable of this initiative without the prior work of divine grace.
exeklinan · Greek Verb
Paul's powerful declaration that 'none is righteous' isn't just a theological statement; it's rooted in the Old Testament scriptures that the Jewish people held sacred. By quoting Psalms and Isaiah, he shows that this truth about humanity's fallen state was known even within their own tradition, underscoring that no one, Jew or Gentile, could earn God's favor through their own efforts.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Psalms
King David, a central figure in Israel's history, penned many Psalms. These poetic and prophetic writings, including Psalm 14, offer deep insights into human nature and God's relationship with His people.
c. 750 BC
Prophetic Writings on Human Depravity
Prophets like Isaiah addressed the moral and spiritual failings of Israel. Their writings often included strong critiques of the people's sinfulness and calls for repentance.
c. 500 BC
Exilic and Post-Exilic Period
Following the Babylonian exile, Jewish communities grappled with their identity and relationship with God, reflecting on their past failures and the meaning of God's law.
c. 50 BC - AD 50
Septuagint Translation Completed
The Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek (the Septuagint), making the Old Testament accessible to a wider Hellenistic Jewish audience. Paul frequently quoted from this Greek translation.
This is the primary Old Testament passage Paul quotes from in Romans 3:10-12, directly illustrating the universal sinfulness of humanity before God.
Isaiah 59:7-8These verses vividly describe the destructive paths and lack of peace that characterize human actions, reinforcing the idea that no one naturally seeks after God or his ways.
Ecclesiastes 7:20This verse directly states, 'Surely there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does good and never sins,' echoing Paul's assertion and highlighting the pervasive nature of sin.
1 John 1:8-10This passage speaks about the reality of sin in believers' lives, emphasizing that even those who follow God can still stumble, thus reinforcing the concept that righteousness is not inherent.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse offers a stark assessment of the human heart, declaring it 'more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick,' which underlies the spiritual inability to be righteous on one's own.
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 verse emphasizes that no one is righteous by adding "no, not one," which amplifies the statement and makes it clear that even a single exception is impossible, underscoring the absolute universality of human sinfulness. This addition, though not in the original Hebrew of the Psalm quoted, strengthens the apostle's point that no one, whether Jew or Gentile, can stand blameless before God on their own merit.
Paul is making the case that everyone—both Jews and Gentiles—is under the power of sin. To prove this, he begins to cite Old Testament passages that describe humanity's fallen nature. This verse, the first in a string of quotations, establishes the universal lack of righteousness across the board, setting the stage for the subsequent descriptions of sinful behavior and their ultimate source.
Paul is making the case that everyone—both Jews and Gentiles—is under the power of sin. To prove this, he begins to cite Old Testament passages that describe humanity's fallen nature. This verse, the first in a string of quotations, establishes the universal lack of righteousness across the board, setting the stage for the subsequent descriptions of sinful behavior and their ultimate source.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Romans 3:10-12 is available in the Sola app.
This isn't a minor deficiency. It points to a deep-seated inability within humanity to meet God's perfect standard on its own.
A state of moral depravity and spiritual apostasy, characterized by a deviation from God’s revealed path and commandments. It denotes a deliberate departure from the way of life and truth.
ēchreōthēsan · Greek Verb
That which is useless, unprofitable, or corrupt. It describes humanity as having lost its intended purpose and value in the sight of God due to the corruption of sin.
agathōsynēn · Greek Noun
Moral uprightness or virtuous action that conforms to God’s holy standards. In the context of total depravity, it signifies that no human action possesses the purity required to satisfy a holy God.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
The Apostle Paul penned his letter to the Romans from Corinth, likely during a trip to Greece. He aimed to establish a theological foundation for the gospel, particularly concerning salvation by faith.
"as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands;
no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”" — The verse emphasizes that *no one* is righteous by adding "no, not one," which amplifies the statement and makes it clear that even a single exception is impossible, underscoring the absolute univers…