We have spent much time in this series learning from Romans that all men, Jew and Gentile, need The Savior! Paul has written verse after verse explaining this significant need of us all. He goes so far as to separate people into two groups to explain to them precisely their needs. I love that Paul does not let anyone off the “hook,” if you will! He has presented this message with boldness and love for his countrymen, the Jew and the Gentile.
Paul will finish chapter three summing up what he has already taught in the first two chapters! Just in case someone does not yet understand he says in Romans 3:9-
” What then are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.”
Are we Better Than They?
With this question Paul is saying very boldly no one is better than anyone else when it comes to salvation. Everyone, the Spirit is saying, “everyone, is in great need of a Savior!” Paul has torn down the Jews reliance on being God’s chosen nation as a crutch to lean on when it comes to being righteous before Him. He even tears down all the excuses of the Gentiles in their thinking they were excused because they had not received the written Law.
The Scriptures Have shut Up All Men Under Sin!
The scriptures speak to close the mouths of anyone who believes that they are righteous before God because of their goodness or because of their standing in society. Remember the Scriptures are the final authority on anything especially the Gospel message! The Gospel says condemned and shut up under sin.
Romans 3: 9 teaches-
” No we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.”
The Law, the Word of God, speaks to everyone who is under the Law. Who is under the Law?
- The Jews were under the written Law of God.(Romans 2:17-24)
- The Gentile was under the Law that had been written on their hearts. (Romans 2:12-16)
- All the world is under the Law of God.
Galatians 3:22-24 teaches-
“But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before the faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”
The Scriptures, the Word of God, has shut up everyone under sin. What is the purpose of the Law according to this verse?
- The Law keeps us in custody.
- The Law is our tutor.
- The Law leads to Christ.
Just these two verses give us enough information to know that no one is better than anyone else! We are sinners in need of a Savior! In the next part of Romans we will look at in more detail the depravity of all mankind!
Do you know anyone who thinks that they are better than someone else and that through their goodness the will stand righteous before God? Let’s pray for these today, that God through the Holy spirit will open their eyes to see their need of Christ! God Bless:)
