Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.
- BSB Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
- NKJV Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
- NASB Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
- NLT Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The law's testimony silences every excuse and holds the whole world accountable to God. No one can plead innocence.
Overview
Paul explains the purpose of his Old Testament citations: the law speaks to those under it so that every mouth is stopped and all stand guilty before God. The law functions to expose sin and remove self-justification. This universal accountability prepares the way for the righteousness God provides apart from the law in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 23
- Gal 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
- Gal 3:22–23But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
- Rom 3:9What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
- Rom 2:12–18For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
- Ezek 16:63That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.
- Gal 5:18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
- Rom 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
- 1 Cor 1:29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
- Job 9:2–3I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
- Gal 4:5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
- Ps 107:42The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
- 1 Sam 2:9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
- Gal 4:21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
- John 8:9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
- Rom 1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
- Matt 22:12–13And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
- Rom 2:1–2Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
- Rom 3:4God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
- Job 5:16So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
- 1 Cor 9:20–21And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
- John 10:34–35Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
- John 15:25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
- Rom 3:2Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 3:19 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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