Romans 3:10

KJV

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

KJV (with Strong's)

As {G2531} it is written {G1125},{G3754} There is {G2076} none {G3756} righteous {G1342}, no, not {G3761} one {G1520}:

Complete Jewish Bible

As the Tanakh puts it,

“There is no one righteous, not even one!
No one understands,

Berean Standard Bible

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.

American Standard Version

as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 3:10 stands as a foundational declaration within Paul's letter, asserting the universal and absolute lack of inherent righteousness in humanity. This verse, presented as a direct scriptural affirmation, serves as the climactic summary of Paul's preceding argument, establishing the pervasive reality of human sinfulness and setting the indispensable stage for the revelation of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 3:10 concludes a meticulously constructed argument spanning [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Sin") through [Romans 3:9](/romans/3-9 "Romans 3:9 - All Under Sin"). Paul systematically demonstrates that both Gentiles, through their suppression of truth and idolatry (Romans 1), and Jews, despite possessing the Law, through their hypocrisy and failure to obey it (Romans 2), are equally "under sin" ([Romans 3:9](/romans/3-9 "Romans 3:9 - All Under Sin")). This verse, introduced by "As it is written," functions as a definitive, divinely-inspired summary of this universal indictment, drawing upon Old Testament testimony to underscore humanity's fallen condition before presenting God's solution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul addresses a diverse audience in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers, as well as those outside the faith. In the Greco-Roman world, "righteousness" (dikaiosyne) was often understood in terms of civic virtue, adherence to societal laws, or philosophical ideals of justice. For Jews, righteousness was inextricably linked to covenant faithfulness, obedience to the Mosaic Law, and adherence to traditions. Paul's declaration in [Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - None Righteous") shatters both these humanistic and legalistic notions of self-attained righteousness, demonstrating that no cultural or religious background exempts humanity from God's righteous judgment.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by [Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - None Righteous") is the **universal depravity of humanity**. This verse emphatically asserts that no individual, regardless of their background or perceived moral standing, possesses the inherent righteousness required to stand before a holy God. It highlights the **divine standard of righteousness**, which far surpasses any human capacity, and thereby establishes the **absolute necessity of an external source of righteousness**. This profound theological truth lays the groundwork for Paul's subsequent exposition on justification by faith, revealing that salvation cannot be earned but must be received as a gift, as further elaborated in [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith"). The verse draws its authority from Old Testament declarations, primarily echoing sentiments found in [Psalm 14:1-3](/psalms/14-1-3 "Psalm 14:1-3 - The Universal Corruption of Humanity") and [Psalm 53:1-3](/psalms/53-1-3 "Psalm 53:1-3 - The Fool's Rejection of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This primary verb signifies "to grave" or "to write," and figuratively, "to describe." In the context of "As it is written," it conveys the authoritative, permanent, and divinely inspired nature of the declaration. Paul is not offering a new opinion but appealing to the established, unchanging truth found in sacred Scripture, indicating that the following statement is a timeless and undeniable reality.
* **righteous (Greek, _díkaios'_):** Derived from the word for "justice" (dikē), this adjective describes someone who is "equitable in character or act," "innocent," or "holy." When applied to humanity in this verse, it refers to a perfect moral standing, a state of being in right relationship with God, free from sin and fully conforming to His holy standard. The verse's emphatic negation highlights humanity's complete failure to meet this divine benchmark.
* **one (Greek, _heîs'_):** As a primary numeral, "one" here is used to emphasize absolute singularity and universality. Coupled with the preceding negations, "no, not one" forms a powerful and unequivocal statement that leaves no room for exception. It means literally "not even a single person" possesses this righteousness, underscoring the pervasive and comprehensive nature of human sinfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As it is written":** This introductory phrase serves as Paul's authoritative appeal to the Old Testament Scriptures. It signals that the following statement is not merely his theological deduction but a divinely revealed truth, drawn from the foundational texts of Israel. Paul is compiling and summarizing the consistent testimony of the Psalms and other wisdom literature regarding humanity's fallen state.
* **"There is none righteous":** This is the core assertion of the verse. It declares that, in humanity's natural state, apart from divine intervention, no individual possesses inherent moral uprightness or a just standing before God. "Righteous" here refers to a perfect, sinless conformity to God's holy character and law, a standard that no human being can achieve on their own merit.
* **"no, not one":** This phrase functions as an emphatic, absolute negation, reinforcing the preceding declaration. The Greek construction (οὐδὲ εἷς, _oude heis_) is exceptionally strong, leaving no room for any exception or qualification. It underscores the universal scope of human unrighteousness, affirming that every single person falls short of God's perfect standard.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 3:10 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as Paul directly cites or synthesizes Old Testament passages, primarily from [Psalm 14:1-3](/psalms/14-1-3 "Psalm 14:1-3 - The Fool Says There Is No God") and [Psalm 53:1-3](/psalms/53-1-3 "Psalm 53:1-3 - The Corruption of Humanity"), to lend divine authority and historical weight to his argument. This technique establishes a continuity between the Old Covenant revelation and the New Testament understanding of sin. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Repetition** and **Emphasis** through the double negation "none... no, not one." This emphatic phrasing ("οὐκ ἔστιν δίκαιος οὐδὲ εἷς") serves to underscore the absolute and universal nature of humanity's unrighteousness, leaving no ambiguity or possibility of exception. While not strictly hyperbole, the statement carries a powerful, almost hyperbolic force to drive home the pervasive reality of sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 3:10 is a pivotal theological statement that underpins the entire gospel message. It establishes the doctrine of universal human sinfulness, often referred to as total depravity, meaning that sin has corrupted every aspect of human nature, rendering us incapable of achieving righteousness on our own or pleasing God through our own efforts. This pervasive unrighteousness creates an insurmountable barrier between humanity and a holy God, highlighting the desperate need for a divine solution. Without this foundational understanding of human inadequacy, the glorious truth of God's grace and the provision of righteousness through Christ would lose its profound significance. The verse sets the stage for the good news: because no one is righteous, God, in His infinite love and justice, provides a righteousness that is entirely outside of human effort.

* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")
* [Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Our Righteousness as Filthy Rags")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 3:10 serves as a profound mirror, reflecting the stark reality of our spiritual condition before a holy God. It shatters any illusion of self-righteousness or the ability to earn divine favor through our own merits, good deeds, or religious observance. This verse calls us to profound humility, compelling us to acknowledge our inherent unrighteousness and complete inability to meet God's perfect standard. For the believer, it deepens our gratitude for the immeasurable grace of God and the perfect righteousness freely imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ. It reminds us that our salvation is entirely a gift, not a reward for our performance. For those still seeking, it highlights the essential need for a Savior, pointing directly to the only source of true righteousness. Embracing the truth of this verse liberates us from the exhausting burden of trying to be "good enough" and anchors our hope firmly in the finished work of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the declaration "There is none righteous, no, not one" challenge your natural inclinations toward self-reliance or self-justification?**
* **In what ways does this verse deepen your appreciation for God's grace and the righteousness provided through Christ?**
* **How should this understanding of universal unrighteousness impact your compassion and approach when sharing the gospel with others?**

### FAQ
**Does "none righteous" mean that humans are incapable of any good deeds or moral behavior?**

Answer: No, the phrase "none righteous" in [Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - None Righteous") does not mean that humans are incapable of civil morality, acts of kindness, or societal good. People can and do perform actions that are beneficial to others and align with certain moral principles. However, Paul's point is theological: no human being, in their natural state, possesses the perfect, sinless righteousness required to stand justified before a holy God and earn salvation. Our "good deeds," when measured against God's absolute standard of holiness and motivated by anything less than perfect love for Him, fall short of true righteousness in His sight, as [Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Our Righteousness as Filthy Rags") illustrates. The issue is not the absence of all human goodness, but the absence of *divine* righteousness that can atone for sin and secure eternal life.

**Where in the Old Testament is it "written" that "There is none righteous, no, not one"?**

Answer: Paul's phrase "As it is written" in [Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - None Righteous") is not a direct, verbatim quote from a single Old Testament verse. Instead, it is a summary or compilation of several Old Testament passages that collectively declare humanity's universal sinfulness and lack of righteousness. The primary sources Paul draws from are [Psalm 14:1-3](/psalms/14-1-3 "Psalm 14:1-3 - The Universal Corruption of Humanity") and [Psalm 53:1-3](/psalms/53-1-3 "Psalm 53:1-3 - The Corruption of Humanity"), which both state, "There is none who does good, no, not one." Paul then continues in [Romans 3:11-18](/romans/3-11-18 "Romans 3:11-18 - Further Old Testament Indictments of Humanity") to weave together an extended catena (chain) of Old Testament verses from Psalms, Isaiah, and Proverbs to paint a comprehensive picture of human depravity. Thus, "As it is written" refers to the consistent testimony of the Hebrew Scriptures regarding the fallen state of humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 3:10, with its stark declaration of universal human unrighteousness, sets the stage for the glorious revelation of Christ as the sole solution to humanity's deepest problem. If "there is none righteous, no, not one," then humanity is utterly lost and incapable of saving itself. This desperate predicament is precisely what necessitates the divine intervention of Jesus Christ. He is the "one" who *is* righteous, the only human being who perfectly fulfilled God's law and lived a sinless life, as affirmed in [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ Committed No Sin"). Christ's perfect righteousness, coupled with His atoning death on the cross, where He became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), provides the very righteousness that humanity lacks. Through faith in Him, believers are not only forgiven of their sins but are also clothed with His perfect righteousness, a concept known as imputed righteousness ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). Thus, the universal "none righteous" of [Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - None Righteous") finds its triumphant fulfillment in the "one righteous" who makes many righteous through His obedience and sacrifice ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Righteousness Through Obedience")), offering hope where there was none.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 53:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.

Psalms 53:3

Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalms 14:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.

Psalms 14:3

They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1 John 1:8

¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:10

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.