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NASB | Romans 3:11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:11 "THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD. [Ps 14:2] |
Bible Question:
Romans 3:10-11 “As it is written, none is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one. No one understands; no one seeks out God.” Do these verses include all of mankind, including the Saints. This interpretation seems to contradict numerous other scriptures. “As it is Written” is making reference to Psalm 14. Verse 2 states that these verses pertain to “. . . the children of men . . .” The Saints are described in John 1:12 and Romans 8:16 as “. . . children of God . . .” Or is Romans 3:10-11 in reference only to those where God “gave them over” in Romans 1:24, 26, 28 and “the fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” Psalm 14:1 This is not to imply that Saints never sin. There is not a righteous man upon earth who does good and never sins. (Ecclesiastes 7:20) But that is very different from saying there are none that are righteous, not even the Saints! Please respond only if you can directly answer the question and cite scripture as proof. Thank you. Yours in Christ, Jim Estes |
Bible Answer: Hi Jim, Interesting question! By "Saints", I will assume you mean the "regenerate", since you referenced John 1:12 and Romans 8:16. I would answer, no, this passage in Romans 3:10-11 is not refering to the saints, but is refering to the unregenerate, those who have not been re-born. Rom 3:9 What then? Are we (Jews) better than they (gentiles)? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; Rom 3:10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; Rom 3:11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; Paul's context for this quote is in vs. 9, that this is of those who are "under sin", in keeping with the context in the Psalm 14:2-3 "YHWH has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." "They" are the sons of men. The Saints, as you pointed out, are the sons of God. This is further established as well: 2 Cor 5:17-18 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, 2 Cor 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Eph 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |