Romans 3:15-17
“Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse, drawn from Isaiah, isn't just describing a general tendency towards violence; it highlights the eagerness and readiness to commit bloodshed. It speaks to a disposition where destruction becomes a swift, almost effortless action, revealing a deep-seated corruption that propels people toward ruin.
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, is under the power of sin. He's quoting Old Testament passages to show that this isn't just a Gentile problem, but a universal human condition. These verses describe the deep corruption and eagerness to do evil that characterizes humanity apart from God's grace.
Have you ever felt a sense of urgency to do something? Scripture uses a powerful image to describe sin's relentless drive. It's not just about actions, but the 'feet' that carry us there.
The verse paints a vivid picture: "Their feet are swift to shed blood." This isn't just a casual description; it's a loaded phrase pointing to an eager, almost impatient readiness for violence and destruction.
Eager for Ruin
This imagery comes from Isaiah 59, a passage describing a nation deeply steeped in sin. "Swift feet" suggest an eagerness, a lack of hesitation to pursue wicked deeds. It implies that shedding innocent blood—a profound violation of God's law and humanity—is not a reluctant act, but one they readily and quickly engage in.
More Than Just Violence
While literal violence is certainly included, this phrase also speaks to the readiness to destroy reputations, relationships, and spiritual well-being. It's about the impulse to inflict harm, no matter the form, and the speed with which we can be led down destructive paths when we're not intentionally pursuing good.
Paul is building a case here, and the evidence is overwhelming. He's already declared 'no one is righteous.' So, what does this 'swiftness' in sin tell us about the human condition?
The Apostle Paul quotes extensively from the Old Testament in these verses (Romans 3:10-18) to build an unassailable argument: everyone is under the power of sin.
The Universal Problem
When Paul says "all"—both Jews and Gentiles—are under sin, he means it. The descriptions of "swift feet to shed blood," "crooked paths," and "no fear of God" aren't just about a few bad apples. They describe the bent of human nature when left to itself. This isn't just about outward actions; it points to an inward disposition toward evil.
No Natural Righteousness
Scripture here dismantles any idea that people are naturally good or capable of achieving righteousness on their own. The passages Paul quotes reveal a deep-seated corruption that affects our desires, our actions, and our very understanding of God. This inherent inclination makes us "swift" not towards God, but towards sin.
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.
syntrimma · Greek Noun
Destruction, devastation, or crushing; frequently used in the Bible to describe the ultimate outcome of a life lived in rebellion against God.
talaipōria · Greek Noun
Distress, unhappiness, or affliction; refers to the wretched state of existence resulting from sin and separation from the Creator.
eirēnē · Greek Noun
Hebrew concept of 'shalom', signifying not just absence of conflict, but wholeness, harmony, welfare, and right relationship with God and others.
Paul quotes Isaiah 59:7 to illustrate that the 'swiftness to shed blood' wasn't just a historical problem of ancient Israel, but a characteristic of human sinfulness that persisted even within the Jewish community he was addressing.
c. 8th century BC
Isaiah's Prophecy of Israel's Corruption
The prophet Isaiah, ministering in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, delivered a scathing indictment of the people's moral and spiritual decay, highlighting their violence and injustice.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation of Jews to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's first siege of Jerusalem resulted in the deportation of many prominent Judeans, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians razed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This catastrophic event profoundly impacted Jewish identity and theology.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, a remnant of Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and their community, though many remained in exile.
This passage is the direct source for Paul's description, painting a vivid picture of injustice and violence stemming from a society that has lost its way.
Proverbs 1:16This proverb echoes the sentiment, highlighting how readily people turn to wickedness and violence when they reject wisdom and God's ways.
Jeremiah 22:17This verse condemns a similar eagerness for gain through violence and injustice, showing this theme of destructive ambition recurring throughout Scripture.
Matthew 23:35Jesus laments the bloodshed in Jerusalem, showing how the 'feet swift to shed blood' can be found even in those who outwardly claim righteousness.
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…
This verse, drawn from Isaiah, isn't just describing a general tendency towards violence; it highlights the eagerness and readiness to commit bloodshed. It speaks to a disposition where destruction becomes a swift, almost effortless action, revealing a deep-seated corruption that propels people toward ruin.
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, is under the power of sin. He's quoting Old Testament passages to show that this isn't just a Gentile problem, but a universal human condition. These verses describe the deep corruption and eagerness to do evil that characterizes humanity apart from God's grace.
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, is under the power of sin. He's quoting Old Testament passages to show that this isn't just a Gentile problem, but a universal human condition. These verses describe the deep corruption and eagerness to do evil that characterizes humanity apart from God's grace.
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c. 450 BC
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"“Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.”" — This verse, drawn from Isaiah, isn't just describing a general tendency towards violence; it highlights the eagerness and readiness to commit bloodshed. It speaks to a disposition where destructi…
