Romans 3:15
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Romans 3:15
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "swift to shed blood" isn't just about physical violence; it highlights a readiness and eagerness to commit any crime, showing a deep-seated inclination toward injustice and cruelty. This intense eagerness to harm, even innocent life, reveals the full destructive bent of a heart utterly detached from God's fear.
Paul is demonstrating that everyone, both Jew and Gentile, is under the power of sin. To prove this, he quotes from the Old Testament prophets, presenting a damning indictment of humanity's fallen nature. These verses paint a picture of a world utterly corrupted, where all have strayed from righteousness and exhibit extreme depravity in their thoughts, words, and actions.
Have you ever felt an urge to do something you know is wrong, almost like your own body is pulling you in that direction? This verse speaks to that unsettling reality.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, is painting a stark picture of humanity's fallen state. He quotes from the Old Testament, specifically Isaiah, to show that this isn't just a new problem; it's deeply ingrained.
A Propensity for Evil
The phrase 'swift to shed blood' isn't just about literal murder, though it certainly includes that. It describes an eagerness, a readiness, even a speed with which people turn to violence and destruction. This urgency points to a heart that's not neutral but actively inclined toward sin.
Think about it: what makes someone swift to do something? It usually involves a lack of hesitation, a willingness, and maybe even a desire. When applied to shedding blood, it means a lack of conscience, a disregard for life, and a quickness to inflict harm.
Paul isn't just stating his opinion here; he's calling on the ultimate authority. Why is quoting the Old Testament so crucial for proving his point about sin?
Paul's argument in Romans 3 hinges on the authority of God's Word. He's not just presenting his own theological ideas; he's demonstrating that the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament Scriptures) already declared that all people, both Jews and Gentiles, are under the power of sin.
The Law as Witness
By quoting passages like Isaiah 59, Paul shows that sin's destructive nature and human beings' propensity for it are not new revelations but ancient truths established by God Himself. These Scriptures serve as undeniable witnesses.
Understand the original words
haima ekcheai · Greek Verb phrase
The act of killing or murder. It is used in Scripture to demonstrate the extreme extent of human malice and the complete disregard for the image of God in others.
Paul quotes Isaiah's ancient prophecy to condemn the universal sinfulness of humanity, both Jew and Gentile. The reference to 'swift feet to shed blood' evokes a history of violence and injustice that Paul sees as still characteristic of a fallen world, even among those who claim to know God.
Late 8th century BC
Isaiah's Prophecy of Judgment
The prophet Isaiah delivers messages of judgment against Israel and surrounding nations, detailing their widespread corruption, injustice, and violence.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiles a significant portion of Jerusalem's elite, including the prophet Ezekiel, marking the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, exiling most of the remaining population, a catastrophic event for Jewish identity and faith.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus' public ministry, teachings, and eventual crucifixion occur in Judea under Roman occupation, a pivotal event for the early Christian movement.
This passage is directly quoted in Romans 3:15, painting a vivid picture of destructive and violent actions stemming from a heart far from God.
Proverbs 1:16This verse echoes the sentiment of Romans 3:15, highlighting how quick people can be to pursue evil and violence when they disregard wisdom and righteousness.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse describes the desperately wicked and deceitful nature of the human heart, which is the root cause of the swiftness to shed blood mentioned in Romans 3:15.
Psalm 53:3This Psalm provides another Old Testament confirmation of humanity's universal sinfulness, stating that 'everyone has turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one,' setting the stage for the violent tendencies described in Romans.
barnesRomans 3:15: "Their feet are swift to shed blood:"
Their feet ... - The quotation in this and the two following verses, is abridged or condensed from Isaiah 59:7-8 . The expressions occur in the midst of a description of the character of the nation in the time of the prophet. The apostle has selected a few expressions out of many, rather making a reference to the entire passage, than a formal quotation. The expression, "their feet are swift," etc., denotes the eagerness of the nation to commit…
henryRomans 3:9-18: "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;"
3:9-18 Here again is shown that all mankind are under the guilt of sin, as a burden; and under the government and dominion of sin, as enslaved to it, to work wickedness. This is made plain by several passages of Scripture from the Old Testament, which describe the corrupt and depraved state of all men, till grace restrain or change them. Great as ou…
The phrase "swift to shed blood" isn't just about physical violence; it highlights a readiness and eagerness to commit any crime, showing a deep-seated inclination toward injustice and cruelty. This intense eagerness to harm, even innocent life, reveals the full destructive bent of a heart utterly detached from God's fear.
Paul is demonstrating that everyone, both Jew and Gentile, is under the power of sin. To prove this, he quotes from the Old Testament prophets, presenting a damning indictment of humanity's fallen nature. These verses paint a picture of a world utterly corrupted, where all have strayed from righteousness and exhibit extreme depravity in their thoughts, words, and actions.
Paul is demonstrating that everyone, both Jew and Gentile, is under the power of sin. To prove this, he quotes from the Old Testament prophets, presenting a damning indictment of humanity's fallen nature. These verses paint a picture of a world utterly corrupted, where all have strayed from righteousness and exhibit extreme depravity in their thoughts, words, and actions.
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c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul's Ministry and Writing Romans
The Apostle Paul conducts missionary journeys, establishing churches and writing letters, including his seminal epistle to the Romans, likely from Corinth or Ephesus.
"“Their feet are swift to shed blood;" — The phrase "swift to shed blood" isn't just about physical violence; it highlights a readiness and eagerness to commit any crime, showing a deep-seated inclination toward injustice and cruelty. This…