Audio commentary on this verse

Note 1 at Rom. 3:9: In Romans 1:18-32, Paul proved that the Gentiles were guilty before God for their actions because of an intuitive knowledge of God (see note 2 at Rom. 1:18, p. 744). In Romans 2, Paul proved that the Jews were even worse off than the Gentiles because they had been given the Word of God and yet had not kept it (see note 1 at Rom. 2:1, p. 747).

Now, in chapter three, he brings all this together and concludes that every one (Jew or Gentile, religious or pagan, moral or immoral) is guilty before God. Paul cites many Old Testament scriptures to verify this claim (see Parallel and O.T. scriptures printed for vv. 10-18) and to show that this is not some new doctrine. Faith in the sacrificial death of a savior was God's plan of redemption all along.

Paul's arguments in Romans 3:9-18 provide the reason for salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) and refute the doctrines of every other religion.

Man is so destitute that he cannot save himself; he has to have a savior. Therefore, every other religion is wrong because it doesn't provide a savior. To some degree or another, the other religions of the world teach that the burden of salvation is upon our own shoulders.

In contrast, Christianity has a Savior, and not just some man. God Himself provided salvation for mankind. Within the ranks of those who claim Christianity, this is also the pivotal issue. Any deviation from trust in Jesus and His imputed righteousness to reliance on our own holiness for right standing with God is error.

Therefore, the truth expressed in these verses is critical to understanding God's plan of salvation. Since man could never "make up" for his sins, God did what man could not do. He paid the price Himself. No other method of payment is acceptable.