Audio commentary on this verse

Note 1 at Ro 3:9: In Ro 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 Ro 1:18). In Ro 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 Ro 2:1).

Here in Ro 3, he brought all this together and concluded that every one (Jew or Gentile, religious or pagan, moral or immoral) is guilty before God. Paul cited many Old Testament scriptures to verify this claim and to show that this was not some new doctrine. Faith in the sacrificial death of a savior was God's plan of redemption all along.

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

People are so destitute that they cannot save themselves; they have to have a savior. Therefore, all other religions are wrong, because they don't provide a savior. To some degree or another, the other religions of the world teach that the burden of salvation is upon people's 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 people could never "make up" for their sins, God did what people could not do; He paid the price Himself. No other method of payment is acceptable.