Trinity/After Pentecost · Reformation Day
Romans 3:19-28
No One Is Righteous
October 31, 2026
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
Commentary on Romans 3:19-28 (Working Preacher) Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegete on justification by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 3 Commentary (Center for Excellence in Preaching) Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on redemption, propitiation, and the righteousness of God.
Romans 3 (Enduring Word Bible Commentary) Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse study of universal guilt and justification by grace.
Romans 3:21-23 Commentary (Precept Austin) Precept Austin
Deep word study on the righteousness of God revealed apart from the law.
Romans 3:19 (BibleHub Commentaries) BibleHub
Classic expositors gathered verse by verse on law, sin, and justification.
Background & Word Study
Romans (Enter the Bible) Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Paul's argument about righteousness in Romans.
Overview: Romans (BibleProject) BibleProject
Animated overview of Romans that frames the justification argument of chapter 3.
Romans 3:19 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word, including dikaioo (justify) and pistis (faith).
The Church Fathers
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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