What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks 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;
- BSB 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.
- 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.
- 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 Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
- Rom 6:15What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be!
- Isa 65:5who say, ‘Stay by yourself, don’t come near to me, for I am holier than you.’ These are smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all day.
- Rom 3:22–23even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,
- Rom 11:32For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.
- Rom 3:19Now 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.
- Rom 11:7What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
- Rom 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
- Luke 7:39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”
- Luke 18:9–14He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
- 1 Cor 14:15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
- 1 Cor 4:7For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
- Gal 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
- Rom 3:5But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.
- Phil 1:18What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
- 1 Cor 10:19What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols 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.