A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 20 Chapter 3:10 – 12

 

  1. Introduction; Chapter three has dealt with several issues concerning the Jews.
    1. V. 1 “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?” Paul explained very boldly in chapter 2 that circumcision is a work and works do not save people. Circumcision is only good if they live the law without fail (which we all know is impossible since we are sinners at birth or even at conception). Romans 2:25 “For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.”
    2. Also in verse one another question, “What advantage then hath the Jew?” Paul answers in verse 2 “Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” The word of God came through you.
    3. The next question is in verse 3 “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” Paul answered in verse 4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” Man cannot and yes even Jews cannot bypass Jesus Christ as Saviour.
    4. The next question is in verse 5 “But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say?” Paul answered “God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?” God cannot judge the world for sin if sin is used for the righteousness of God. No God is not blessed if someone wins the lottery and donates a portion of the winnings to the church. Paul continues in verse 8 “Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.”
    5. The last question is in verse 9 “What then? are we better than they?” Are we Jews better than those Gentiles remember we are Jews? Paul answers  in verse 9 “No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;”  
  2. Verse 10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
    1. Here is the start of a series of statements that proved Total Depravity.

a.       How many have sinned and came short of God’s glory? ALL! Therefore it would be impossible for any person to come willingly on their own to Christ, they are totally depraved.

b.      Paul said “As it is written” meaning he is quoting Old Testament scripture. Psalms 14:1-3 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (2.) The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. (3.) They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” – And Psalms 53:1-3 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. (2.) God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. (3.) Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

c.       "there is not a righteous man in the earth"; and there is not a man that rules over his imagination.'' John Gill says Psalm 14:1 truly says “"there is not a righteous man in the earth"; and there is not a man that rules over his imagination.'' That would be classified as total depravity.

    1. Paul says “There is none righteous” this could be quoted as “there is none that do good” - do good and righteousness is the same. There is none that is right in God’s eyes. We may do good in our own eyes however God is not like man.  
  1. Verse 11 “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”
    1. Paul gets much stronger here as he says “There is none that understandeth,” That is there is none that understands God or God’s righteousness.

a.       Psalms 14:2 “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.” God surveyed the earth to see if any man both Jew and Gentile understood Him or His ways and none did, all were ignorant of God. Also none seek Him, just as they will not during the tribulation period.

b.      Paul told us in Romans 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

c.       What about the wise among us? 1 Corinthians 3:20 “And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”

d.      1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

    1. Paul said there is none righteous, there is none that understands God or His rightiousness, and There is none that seek God. He continues in verse 12
  1. Verse 12 “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
    1. They have all declined the path of righteousness; they have abandoned or corrupted the righteousness of God.
    2. “they are together become unprofitable;” They have all been rendered useless to God, good for nothing. They are like milk that becomes sour. They are of no value in regard to works of righteousness.
    3. What does God think of man and even the wise man? Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”