Rom 3:9-20 | JFB | STEP | 9. are we better than they?-- "do we excel them?" No, in no wise-- Better off the Jews certainly were, for having the oracles of God to teach them better; but as they were no better, that only aggravated their guilt.

‏ Romans 3:9-20

Ro 3:9-20. That the Jew Is Shut Up under Like Condemnation with the Gentile Is Proved by His Own Scripture.

9. are we better than they?--"do we excel them?"

No, in no wise--Better off the Jews certainly were, for having the oracles of God to teach them better; but as they were no better, that only aggravated their guilt.

10-12. As it is written, &c.--(Psa 14:1-3; 53:1-3). These statements of the Psalmist were indeed suggested by particular manifestations of human depravity occurring under his own eye; but as this only showed what man, when unrestrained, is in his present condition, they were quite pertinent to the apostle's purpose.

13-18. Their, &c.--From generals, the apostle here comes to particulars, culling from different parts of Scripture passages which speak of depravity as it affects the different members of the body; as if to show more affectingly how "from the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness" in us.

throat is an open sepulchre--(Psa 5:9); that is, "What proceeds out of their heart, and finds vent in speech and action through the throat, is like the pestilential breath of an open grave."

with their tongues they have used deceit--(Psa 5:9); that is, "That tongue which is man's glory (Psa 16:9; 57:8) is prostituted to the purposes of deception."

the poison of asps is under their lips--(Psa 140:3): that is, "Those lips which should 'drop as an honeycomb,' and 'feed many,' and 'give thanks unto His name' (So 4:11; Pr 10:21; He 13:15), are employed to secrete and to dart deadly poison."

19. Now we know that what ... the law--that is, the Scriptures, considered as a law of duty.

saith, it saith to them that are under the law--of course, therefore, to the Jews.

that every mouth--opened in self-justification.

may be stopped, and all the world may become--that is, be seen to be, and own itself.

guilty--and so condemned

before God.

20. Therefore by the deeds of--obedience to

the law there shall no flesh be justified--that is, be held and treated as righteous; as is plain from the whole scope and strain of the argument.

in his sight--at His bar (Psa 143:2).

for by the law is the knowledge of sin--(See on Ro 4:15; Ro 7:7; and 1Jo 3:4).

Note, How broad and deep does the apostle in this section lay the foundations of his great doctrine of Justification by free grace--in the disorder of man's whole nature, the consequent universality of human guilt, the condemnation, by reason of the breach of divine law, of the whole world, and the impossibility of justification before God by obedience to that violated law! Only when these humiliating conclusions are accepted and felt, are we in a condition to appreciate and embrace the grace of the Gospel, next to be opened up.