Romans 3:9–20 concludes Paul’s discussion of man’s unrighteousness in Romans 1:18–3:20.
Paul clearly asserts that both “all, Jews and Greeks [Gentiles], are under sin,” that is, under its power, made obvious man’s many sins (Romans 3:9; cf. 3:13–17). “As it is written” then introduces a number of biblical quotations to show the universal sinfulness of man (Romans 3:10).
Romans 3:10–12 quotes much of Psalm 14:1–3 (almost identical to Psalm 53:1–3). Paul claims as David did that “none is righteous” before God (Romans 3:10; notice Paul’s modification from Psalm 14:1, “There is none who does good”). One could literally translate this phrase, “There is no righteous one,” just as Romans 3:18 could translate, “There is no fear of God.” These two instances of “there is” act as bookends for Romans 3:10–18. Romans 3:19–20 then closes all of Romans 1:18–3:20.
As evidence of man’s unrighteousness claimed in Romans 3:10, the quote from Psalm 14 stack the negatives against mankind—no one understands, seeks for God, or does good but rather turns aside and becomes worthless (Romans 3:10–12; cf. Psalm 14:1–3). As an example of man’s sinfulness, particularly in his speech, Paul strings together quotations from Psalm 5:9, 140:3, and 10:7 (Romans 3:13–14). Then, as example of man’s sinfulness in his shameful treatment of others, he quotes Isaiah 59:7–8 (Romans 3:15–17; cf. Prov 1:16). Finally, Paul provides the source for these sins with a quotation of Psalm 36:1—“There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18).
Summarizing the above, Paul claims that all are under sin (Romans 3:9) and uses a number of biblical quotations to show the unrighteousness and irreverence of man (Romans 3:10a, 18), giving further explanation of his sinfulness and examples of his sin (Romans 3:10b–17).
Addressing the Jews in particular (cf. Romans 2:17, “if you call yourself a Jew”), Paul clarifies that they are the audience of the Law and identifies its purpose (Romans 3:19–20). What the Law says, it says to Jews—those who live “under the law” (or literally, “in the law”; Romans 3:19a). But the purpose of the law is not to save the Jews. Rather, using the language of a court scene, the Law is to stop their mouths from self-defense and hold “the whole world” (Jews included) accountable as it answers to God for sin (Romans 3:19). Explaining this last thought further (“For”), “works of the law” will never justify anyone (Romans 3:20). Instead, the purpose of the Law is to give everyone the knowledge of their sin—it only shows what they cannot do and therefore live under the power of sin (Romans 3:20). And if the Jews were unrighteous in spite of the advantages that came with being God’s nation (cf. Romans 3:1–2; 9:4–5), then certainly the rest of the world is under sin and judgment as well.
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