lesson four the unrighteousness of all Romans 3:9 20

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1 lesson four the unrighteousness of all Romans 3:9 20 Memory Verse: As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. Romans 3:10 11, NIV Background: Paul s entire argument about the darkness of humanity from section 1:18 3:20 is concluded here. Paul cites the Old Testament to charge all humanity with sin, both Jews and Gentiles, preparing the way for the claim that right standing with God is available for only those who trust in the atoning death of Christ. Reflection: Do you think you are good enough for God by comparing yourself to others who do worse deeds than you? Are you trying to earn God s favor by doing good works? Check the motives of your heart today. Sin To fully appreciate the Good News of the Gospel, one must first understand the bad news of man s depravity and the devastating impact and eternal consequences of sin. Man s Problem: Sin, The Bad News Sin is missing the mark or standard and is used for transgressions against God (Leviticus 4:14) or against man (Genesis 31:36). Sin is pictured as crouching behind the door, desiring to ruthlessly pounce upon and control those who disregard God s instructions and warnings, choosing instead to deviate from the pattern established by God. There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12, NASB). Adam and Eve s sin resulted in the substitutionary death of an innocent animal [prefiguring Christ s substitutionary atonement on the cross]. Cain s sin resulted in the first murder. A variety of words are used to communicate the pervasive nature of sin. To sin [Greek hamartia to miss the mark variations of this word are used in Romans 43 times] is to fall short of God s standard. Sin is an inner nature, inherited by every person from Adam, which is evidenced by opposition against God, against Christ, against other individuals, against the Law, against one s own body (1 Corinthians 6:18), and against authority. Sin [Hebrew hatta t offense, sin; root chata to miss; used 293 times in the Old Testament] is to miss the mark or standard established by God s Word. It was first used when God warned Cain that sin was crouching at the door, desiring to master him (Genesis 4:7). Transgression [Hebrew pasha break away from authority, rebel, revolt; used 134 times in the Old Testament] is willful rebellion against and independence from God. Iniquity [Hebrew avon perversity; from root avah to be bent, crooked, twisted, perverted] is a perversion or twisting into error, often expressing the twisted inner character and guilt of the sinner. All of creation groans under the effects of sin. Disobedience [Greek apeitheia] unpersuadable, obstinate rejection of God s will Error [Greek plano] wander from path (doctrine, morals), lead astray, deceive Fault [Greek aition] crime, legal grounds for punishment continued on next page... 37

2 Iniquity [Greek anomia; a (no) nomos (law)] lawlessness, defiance against God s laws Transgression [Greek paranomia para (against), nomos (law)] law breaking; go aside, beyond the commandment of God Ungodliness [Greek asebeia] defiance against God s person Trespass [Greek paraptoma] false step Unrighteousness [Greek adika] not righteous, not right with God or His standard Wickedness [Greek poneria] bad, worthless Evil [Greek kakia] evil Sin initially appears to be attractive, offering an enticing allurement to those who choose its path, yet the end of sin is invariably bondage, misery, unanswered prayer, separation from God, and death. All men and women and boys and girls are sinners and commit sins, with a terminal, irreparable, irreversible consequence (Romans 3:23). The wages [earned consequence] of sin is death physical death [physical separation of the immaterial part (spirit, soul) of man from the material part (body) of man] and eternal death [eternal separation of the unsaved in the Lake of Fire for eternity (Romans 6:23; Luke 16:19 31; Revelation 20:11 15)]. Whatever is not from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). God s Solution: Christ s Superior Sacrifice, The Good News Christ paid the penalty for all sin [past, present, and future] on the cross. God s promises to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation and eternal security are magnificent! To blot out sin [erase the records and debt] (Psalm 51:1) To cleanse sin [from defilement and corruption] (Isaiah 1:18) To wash away sin [clean dirty clothes] (Acts 22:16) To forgive sin [to remove a burden] (Mark 2:7) To release us [from our bondage] to sin (Revelation 1:5) To cover our sin with a heavy cloud (Isaiah 44:22) To make our sin white as snow [instead of scarlet] (Isaiah 1:18) To put our sin behind His back (Isaiah 38:17) To plunge our sin into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19) God will not remember our sins (Jeremiah 31:34; Isaiah 43:25) God will remove our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16, NASB). The Good News is that salvation is available to all through faith in Christ alone [not through works, walking an aisle, joining a church, obeying the Law, following a set of rules, being a good person, reciting a prayer, having an emotional experience, or through mere intellectual assent (Romans 3:28; 4:4 5; James 2:19)]. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1: 8 9, NASB u personal prayer Oh Lord, may I be one who keeps short accounts with You, confessing my sins regularly. You are faithful and righteous to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. 38

3 day one read Romans 3:1 9 Paul s focus on the Jew-Gentile issues in the book of Romans suggests that tensions existed between the Jews and the Gentiles in the early church in Rome. The church was most likely established as a Jewish church after Pentecost, and then Gentiles filtered in. Jews obeyed the Mosaic Law (the Law of Moses), while the Gentiles did not practice those observances. 1. Why might the Jews think that they would have an advantage over the Gentiles? Review Romans 3:2, and appendix D, A Brief Timeline of Israel s History. 2. What does Paul conclude about the Jews being any better than the Gentiles regarding a right standing before God? (Are the Jews any better off?) 3. Based on Paul s conclusion, what can the Jews cling to for protection from God s wrath against sinners? Is there a way to earn their salvation by obeying the requirements of the Mosaic Law? 4. How do you think the Jews of the first century would have responded to reading Paul s letter? How is Paul leading them to respond to the Gentiles? 5. Why do you think Paul spends so much of the introduction of the letter to Romans (1:18 3:20) showing how all of humanity is under the power of sin? How does this relate to the glory of the Gospel message? 6. Re-read the Word Box on Sin at the beginning of this lesson. What new insights do you gain? Digging Deeper: Paul s references to the Law refer to the code of rules and regulations that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Law was part of the covenant that set Israel apart as God s people. Look up the following verses and write down more details about the Law: 1 Samuel 12:9 10; Amos 5:21 24; Exodus 22:21 24; Deuteronomy 10:18; 19:17; and Numbers 15: How do these verses shed light on how Jews valued the Law and its strict adherence? 39

4 day two read Romans 3:9 20 To prove that all are under sin, Paul quotes a number of Old Testament verses. He strings them together like beads on a pearl necklace, a rabbinic teaching method to underscore his point, emphasizing humanity s deficiencies and exposing human depravity. 1. What does the phrase As it is written mean? What is the source Paul is using to make his point? 2. Paul quotes from the Psalms. Look at Psalm 14:1 3. Who wrote this psalm, and what does he say about humanity? What does he call a person who says in his heart, There is no God? 3. What does Paul say in 1 Corinthians 2:14 about people who do not have God s Spirit? How does this relate to what he says in Romans 3:11? 4. Why are people who turn away from God considered worthless or unprofitable? 5. Even if unbelievers do acts of kindness, why are they still not considered good in God s eyes? What is the difference between the good works of a believer and the good works of an unbeliever? 6. Sharing: Has there ever been a time in your life when you relied on your good works to earn a right standing before God? How has Paul shown that salvation cannot be earned by a person? Memory Verse: As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. Romans 3:10 11, NIV 40

5 day three read Romans 3:9 18 In showing humanity s total depravity, Paul quotes passages in the Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah that describe the progression of evil that can come from the throat, tongue, lips, mouth, feet, and eyes. 1. Complete the chart below, filling in the details of humanity s sinful condition, proving Paul s point that all people are under sin. Old Testament Reference Romans 3 Sinful Condition Psalm 14:3, 53:3 Romans 3:10 Psalm 14:2, 53:2 Romans 3:11a Psalm 14:2, 53:2 Romans 3:11b Psalm 14:3, 53:3 Romans 3:12 Psalm 5:10 Romans 3:13a,b Psalm 140:3 Romans 3:13c Psalm 10:7 Romans 3:14 Proverbs 1:16, Isaiah 59:7 Romans 3:15 Isaiah 59:7 Romans 3:16 Isaiah 59:8 Romans 3:17 Psalm 36:1 Romans 3:18 Conclusion: 41

6 2. What does it mean that people s throats are an open grave? What does the imagery suggest? 3. What does the imagery of the venom of asps suggest about people s sinful speech? 4. Do you think that Paul suggests that cursing and bitterness are occasional habits of ungodly people, or does it characterize their lives? Why do you think this? 5. Why do you think that Paul uses speech as an example of how sinful people are unrighteous before God? How important is godly speech in a believer s life? Memory Verse: As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. Romans 3:10 11, NIV 42

7 day four read Romans 3:9 18 Any society that commonly assumes that God will not discipline evil in this life or judge it in the next will have no fear of God and therefore will give itself increasingly to evil. 1. Read Isaiah 59:7 8. How do unrighteous people s evil actions impact others in society? What events in human history prove this? 2. Contrast the lives of the unrighteous, described in Romans 3:17, with the lives of believers, described in Romans 1:7. 3. According to Romans 3:16, how do the unrighteous affect the lives of others? 4. What does Paul conclude about the unrighteous in Romans 3:18? Why do they speak wickedness and are prone to violence and destruction? 5. Describe the characteristics of an unrighteous man (or woman) from Psalm 36:1 4. How does this contrast with God s attributes described in Psalm 36:5 7? Memory Verse: As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. Romans 3:10 11, NIV 43

8 day five read Romans 3:9 20 Romans 3:19 20 represents the culmination and conclusion of Romans 3:9 18 and all of Romans 1:18 3:20, showing that all, without exception, are sinners. Paul has effectively described humanity s problem before he presents the ultimate solution to this problem of sin. He paints a black backdrop for the glorious light of the Gospel to shine through. 1. What Law is Paul referring to in Romans 3:19? Who does he mean is under this Law? 2. How does the Mosaic Law speak to the Jews about their righteousness before God? Is the Law able to save them? 3. If the Jews cannot be made righteous by the Law, what does this mean for the Gentiles, who do not even have God s Law? 4. What does Paul say is the purpose of the Mosaic Law? Read appendix B on the Mosaic Law and record any additional insights. 5. What does it mean to be justified in God s sight? Can adherence to the Law accomplish this? What or who is needed for us to be justified in God s sight? Look at Galatians 2:16. Digging Deeper: What is the key theme in Romans about the Mosaic Law? Read Romans 3:21 26; 5:12 19; 6:1 10; 7:1 6 and 8:1 4. personal response to God We learn in Romans 3 that some characteristics of ungodly people are related to their speech. Has your mouth been out of control lately? Who are some people in your life who would benefit from kinder words? Are there any other characteristics of the unrighteous that you relate to in Romans 3? Confess your sin before God, and implement a plan today to make graciousness a part of your daily vocabulary. 44

9 lesson five the saving righteousness of God Romans 3:21 31 Memory Verse: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23 24, NIV Background: We have endured the darkness of the first three chapters of Romans, and now it is time for a glimpse of the shining light of hope. Having proven that no one can be righteous before God by keeping the Law, Paul now explains that right standing with God comes only through faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. God s saving righteousness has been manifested in the death of Jesus Christ, so that God s justice and love are reconciled in the cross. Paul boldly proclaims that both Jews and Gentiles (everyone of faith) obtain a right standing with God through faith alone. Reflection: How is the Good News of Christ s payment for your sins reflected in your daily life? The Four Tenses of Salvation Salvation [Greek soteria deliverance, preservation, salvation] and savior [Greek soter deliverer, savior] are derived from the root word save [Greek sozo to save, deliver, protect, heal, preserve, do well, be made whole; variations are used 13x in Romans]. Save is used frequently in the New Testament with a variety of meanings, determined by context, to refer to: The physical deliverance from danger, suffering, or sickness (James 5:15; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5) The spiritual and eternal salvation granted immediately by God to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; Romans 8:24; Ephesians 2:5; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Peter 1:1) The present experiences of God s power to deliver from the bondage of sin (Romans 5:10; Hebrews 7:25; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:9; 3:21) The individual believer who, though losing his reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will not lose his salvation (1 Corinthians 3:15; 5:5) The numerous precious promises and blessings bestowed presently by God on believers in Christ through the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 1:9 10; 2 Peter 1:11) The future deliverance of believers at the Rapture when Christ returns for His saints, delivering them from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9; 1 Peter 1:5) The future deliverance of Israel by Christ s Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation when all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:25 27) God s amazing plan of salvation originated in eternity past with His election and will continue throughout eternity future with our glorification. continued on next page... 45

10 The Four Tenses Of Salvation The Time The Description The Doctrine First Eternity Past Those whom God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [Romans 8:29 30; John 6:44, 65; Philippians 1:6] Election Second Our Past When we trust Christ we are free from sin s penalty [John 3:16; Romans 3:21 24; 6:3 7] Justification Third Our Present As we walk in the Spirit we are free from sin s power [Romans 8:2 14; Philippians 2:12 13] Sanctification Fourth Our Future When we receive our new body we are free from sin s presence [Romans 8:22 25; 29 30; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18] Glorification Salvation begins when we trust in Christ s work on the cross alone as the complete payment of our sins. 1 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13) Salvation results in assurance, peace, abundant life, and security. Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 9) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 8:38 39) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13) God s sovereign, loving involvement in the life of each of His children, and the responsibility of each believer to faithfully persevere, are beautifully intertwined in this word picture. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved! 1 For additional clarification, see appendix F, The Gospel: The Good News of Christ s Offer of Salvation. 46

11 day one read Romans 3:21 22 The Bible clearly demonstrates and confirms that nobody will ever be made right with God by something one does. No one is going to escape judgment and enter into blessing by his or her own effort. If we are to find a way to be right with God, it is not going to originate within us. Only God determines the way, as He is the One who has been offended. And He has determined that the way is only through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the Good News of the Gospel. It is a free gift for all who will accept it. 1. Paul begins Romans 3:21 with the word but; what kind of word is this, and why is this little word so significant? 2. Why does Paul make such a distinction between the righteousness of God apart from the Law of Moses? 3. What does Paul say the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament writings) bear witness to? What additional insights do Romans 1:2 and Luke 24:25 27 bring? 4. How is a right standing before God available to all (Jews and Gentiles)? What do they have to believe? 5. Re-read the Word Box on The Four Tenses of Salvation at the beginning of this lesson. How has your understanding of salvation deepened? 6. What can we learn about God s righteousness from Romans 1:17, 3:22; Isaiah 45:8; Philippians 3:8 9; Daniel 9:24; and Psalm 119:142? Digging Deeper: Read Job 9:1 35. What is the question Job asks in 9:2? Use the rest of the chapter to describe how Job views God and himself as a man, and then describe from the passage God s relationship with man. How does Job 9:33 35 point to the necessity of Christ? 47

12 day two read Romans 3:23 24 By paying the penalty of sin through His death, Jesus can free people from their sin and transfer His righteousness to those who believe in Him. Therefore all are justified, declared not guilty but righteous by the divine Judge, only by God s grace (unmerited favor). 1. How does Romans 1:20 21 illustrate how all have fallen short of the glory of God? 2. Read Galatians 2:16. What is the meaning of the word justified in this context? How are we justified before God? 3. How does Paul describe God s grace given to us in Romans 3:24, Ephesians 1:7 8, and Colossians 1:13 14? 4. Read Exodus How does the exodus out of Egypt point forward to the redemption provided by Christ? 5. In Exodus 15:13, what is promised to God s people who are redeemed? How does Christ fulfill this promise? 6. Sharing: Do you believe that you are justified by God through your faith in Jesus Christ? How does this knowledge affect your day-to-day living? Memory Verse: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23 24, NIV 48

13 day three read Romans 3:25 26 By His death, Christ fully satisfied the justice of the Holy God. He perfectly fulfilled the Law of Moses and perfectly paid the penalty of sin on our behalf. God made His Son the propitiation (appeaser) for our sins. Because of Christ s death, God does not compromise His holiness when He forgives a sinner. 1. Why does God need to be appeased before sins can be forgiven? How does the cross of Christ demonstrate God s holiness and love at the same time? 2. How do Luke 18:13 14, 1 John 2:2, and 1 John 4:10 describe God as being merciful to us? 3. What reasons does Paul give as to why the righteousness of God is displayed in the past and in the present through Christ s death? 4. What answer does Paul give as to why God tolerated human sin in Old Testament times without inflicting full punishment on human beings immediately? Digging Deeper: Describe how propitiation (the complete satisfaction of the wrath of God) is symbolically foreshadowed in the incidents found in Exodus 32:7 14 and Joshua 7:

14 day four read Romans 3:27 29 Both Jews and Gentiles obtain a right standing before God by faith alone. 1. Since salvation comes through faith, can anyone boast about themselves? Why or why not? 2. Paul introduces a new law apart from the Law of works. What is this new law, and what does it mean? What is required according to John 6:28 29? 3. How does Paul silence the Jews who were boasting in the Law of works? Re-read Romans 2:17, Describe salvation through faith alone. Preview Romans 4: Why is God the only One who should be praised? 5. By mentioning the Gentiles, how does Paul prove that faith in God is the way of justification before God? Memory Verse: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23 24, NIV 50

15 day five read Romans 3:30 31 The Jewish people were known in Bible times as the circumcised while the Gentiles were the uncircumcised. Justification by faith does not render the Law of Moses obsolete, but establishes it. The Law itself pointed to the fact that human obedience to the Law could not save and that righteousness could only be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. 1. Paul says that God will justify (declare righteous) all believers by what? 2. Why does Paul ask if we should discard the Law of Moses now that faith in Jesus Christ saves us? 3. What does the Law of Moses show us about the sinful human condition? Were people able to keep it perfectly? 4. What did Jesus say about the Law in Matthew 5:17, and how does that make Him the perfect sacrifice for sins? 5. What else do you learn about the purpose of the Mosaic Law from appendix B, The Nature and Purpose of the Mosaic Law? 51

16 personal response to God Read and meditate on God s Word from Colossians 2 and the poem below, and then spend some time reflecting on all that Jesus Christ provides for us through the cross. He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Write your own words of truth and gratitude for your Savior. Colossians 2:13 14 (NIV): When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. The cross of Christ, grand sacrifice, for us the deal was made To place our sins upon Himself as spotless Lamb was slain. But no one else could do the work that Christ our Lord would do And no one righteous but the Son, Christ Jesus made us new. The wrath of God thus satisfied, His justice finally done Propitiation for our sins, In Christ the victory won. Christ met the price to set us free from our captivity; Sin paid in full, our ransom made, for all eternity. And now we stand as justified before the Father s throne, The righteousness of Christ applied to us forevermore! written by Vanessa van Dyck Memory Verse: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23 24, NIV 52