Study session scripture: Romans 3:9-20

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 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.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Study session topics:

• The unrighteousness of all people

• Paul just said the Jews have much benefit in every way, and now he says they are ultimately no better off than the gentiles

• The benefits Paul previously described are things that help one see more clearly their need for salvation, but they themselves cannot save

• The law

• Circumcision

• Paul now pulls together a bunch of scripture passages to show that God's consistent message, both to His people and ultimately to the whole world, is that all are under sin

• Sinful condition (v. 10-12)

• Sinful speech (v. 13-14)

• Sinful action (v. 15-17)

• Summary statement: no fear of God (v. 18)

• The Law itself cannot save us, rather it shows us how wicked we are

Study session audio: