There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
There is {G2076} none {G3756} that understandeth {G4920}, there is {G2076} none {G3756} that seeketh after {G1567} God {G2316}.
no one seeks God,
There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God;
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Psalms 14:2
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God. -
Psalms 14:4
¶ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. -
Psalms 53:2
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God. -
Titus 3:3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another. -
Hosea 4:6
¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. -
Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. -
Jeremiah 4:22
For my people [is] foolish, they have not known me; they [are] sottish children, and they have none understanding: they [are] wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Romans 3:11 (KJV): "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."
Context
This verse is part of Paul's extensive argument in Romans chapters 1-3 demonstrating the universal sinfulness of humanity. He meticulously shows that both Gentiles (Romans 1:18-32) and Jews (Romans 2:1-3:8) are fallen and accountable before God. In Romans 3:10-18, Paul quotes various Old Testament passages (primarily from Psalms and Isaiah) to provide scriptural proof for his assertion about humanity's condition. Verse 11, taken from Psalm 14:2-3 and Psalm 53:2-3, emphasizes the deep-seated spiritual inability and lack of inclination towards God inherent in the unredeemed human heart. It sets the stage for the necessity of God's righteousness being revealed through faith.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word translated "understandeth" is syniēmi (συνίημι), meaning to put together, to comprehend, to grasp the meaning of something. It's not just about intellectual knowledge but spiritual discernment. The phrase "seeketh after God" comes from ekzēteō (ἐκζητέω), which means to seek out, search for, or even demand. The use of the negative ("none") with these strong verbs underscores the complete absence of this spiritual activity from the natural human will and capacity.
Significance and Application
Romans 3:11 is crucial for understanding the gospel. It reveals the depth of our need and shows that salvation cannot be earned or initiated by human effort. It counters any notion of inherent human goodness or ability to find God on our own terms. This verse highlights that any true spiritual understanding or genuine seeking of God is a result of God's prior work in drawing us (see John 6:44). It leads us to appreciate God's grace and initiative in revealing Himself to us and enabling us to respond in faith. It calls us to humility, recognizing our fallen state, and to gratitude for God's mercy in overcoming our natural alienation.