What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.
Parallel translations
- WEB What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.
- KJV What 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;
- NKJV What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
- NASB What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;
- NLT Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.
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
Are Jews better off than Gentiles? Not at all — Paul has already shown that all, Jews and Greeks alike, are under sin. This is the climactic verdict of his argument.
Overview
Paul draws his sweeping conclusion: despite Israel's privileges, neither Jew nor Greek has the advantage of being less sinful. All are 'under sin,' held captive by its power and guilt. This universal verdict prepares for the chain of Old Testament quotations that follow (3:10-18) and sets up humanity's desperate need for the righteousness from God by faith in Christ, the heart of the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Gal 3:22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
- Rom 6:15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!
- Isa 65:5They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
- Rom 3:22–23And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,
- Rom 11:32For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.
- Rom 3:19Now 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.
- Rom 11:7What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
- Rom 1:18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
- Luke 7:39When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”
- Luke 18:9–14To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:
- 1 Cor 14:15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
- 1 Cor 4:7For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
- Gal 3:10All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
- Rom 3:5But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms.
- Phil 1:18What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
- 1 Cor 10:19Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 3:9 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.