Paul’s collage of quotations on human depravity from the Old Testament in Romans 3:10–19 can be divided into three sections. The first section (Romans 3:10–12) declares that no one is righteous. The words, no, not one
and not even one
frame this section (Romans 3:10b, Romans 3:12d).
None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside;
together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.
The second passage (Romans 3:13–14) underpins this by pointing to the untrustworthiness of people’s speech. The four lines of this section speak about the throat, tongue, lips, and mouth.
Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.The venom of asps is under their lips.
Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.
The third passage (Romans 3:15–18) points to the destructive consequences of sin for our fellow human beings. Because they have no fear of God, they do not shrink back from anything.
Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
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10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;