9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,
Romans 3:9-12, ESV
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
The Apostle Paul is on a roll with the rhetorical questions. His message is clear and perhaps a little painful to some… we are ALL lacking. No matter our upbringing, background, morals, heritage, or access to God’s word, on our own, none is righteous. Every person who ever lived or ever will live has a dire need for Jesus. Without Him, our sinful state makes us worthless. Sin cancels out any level of “goodness” we hope to possess.
If you’ve been following along through Romans thus far, you’ve undoubtedly seen the bad news, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS COMING!