Time after Pentecost · Reformation Day · Year B
Romans 3:19-28
No One Is Righteous
October 31, 2027

Overview & Insights
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)
Romans 3:9–20 is the climax of Paul’s argument in 1:18–3:8, concluding that both Jew and Gentile are under sin (implied) because they try to keep the old-covenant stipulation of the law (Jews by way of the Torah, Gentiles by way of the overlapping of natural law / Noahic law with the Torah). Both Jew and Gentile, however, are guilty before God because they are enslaved to sin. In Romans 3:9–20 Paul portrays the world as on trial before God in the heavenly courtroom. The following outline unfolds the dramatic scene: 1. The Charge: All are under sin (3:9). 2. The Evidence: The total depravity of humanity (3:10–18). The evidence is cited from a number of Old Testament texts that describe the wicked (Jew or Gentile) persecuting the righteous Jew. a. Psalm 14:1–3 (3:10–12) b. Psalm 5:9 (3:13a) c. Psalm 140:3b (3:13b) d. Psalm 10:7 (3:14–16) e. Isaiah 59:7–8a (3:17) f. Psalm 36:1b (3:18) 3. The Verdict: All are guilty before God.
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on Romans 3:19-28 Working Preacher
Lutheran Reformation Day commentary on justification by faith.
Enduring Word: Romans 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Romans 3 Resources Precept Austin
Study page gathering many commentators on Romans 3.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Romans 3:19 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the whole world held accountable.
StudyLight: Romans 3 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Romans 3 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Romans Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Paul's letter to the Romans.
BibleProject: Romans 1-4 Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the argument of the first half of Romans.
BibleHub: Romans 3 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of Romans 3.
Questions preachers ask
What is Paul’s gospel here?
All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, yet are justified freely by his grace through faith in Christ Jesus, apart from works of the law (Romans 3:23–28). This is the heart of the Reformation’s rediscovery.
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