Romans 3:12

KJV

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

KJV (with Strong's)

They are {G1578} all {G3956} gone out of the way {G1578}, they are {G889} together {G260} become unprofitable {G889}; there is {G2076} none {G3756} that doeth {G4160} good {G5544}, no, not {G3756} one {G2076}{G2193}{G1520}.

Complete Jewish Bible

all have turned away
and at the same time become useless;
there is no one who shows kindness, not a single one!

Berean Standard Bible

All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

American Standard Version

They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not so much as one:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 3:12, a stark declaration from Paul's comprehensive argument for universal sin, asserts humanity's profound departure from God's righteous path. Drawing from Old Testament laments, this verse underscores the collective moral failure of all people, revealing their inherent inability to produce anything spiritually profitable or genuinely good in God's sight, thereby establishing the desperate need for a divine solution to sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 3:12 is part of a powerful catena (chain of Old Testament quotations) that Paul meticulously compiles in [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - The Universal Guilt of Humanity"). This section serves as the culmination of Paul's preceding argument in [Romans 1:18-3:8](/romans/1-18-3-8 "Romans 1:18-3:8 - The Righteousness of God and Human Sin"), where he systematically demonstrates the universal guilt of both Gentiles (who suppress the truth of God revealed in creation) and Jews (who fail to uphold the Law they possess). By quoting passages primarily from [Psalm 14](/psalms/14 "Psalm 14 - The Fool Says There Is No God"), [Psalm 53](/psalms/53 "Psalm 53 - The Corruption of Humanity"), and [Isaiah 59](/isaiah/59 "Isaiah 59 - Sin and Redemption"), Paul provides irrefutable biblical proof for his theological assertion that "there is none righteous, no, not one" ([Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - No One Is Righteous")). Verse 12 specifically echoes the sentiment of [Psalm 14:3](/psalms/14-3 "Psalm 14:3 - All Have Gone Astray") and [Psalm 53:3](/psalms/53-3 "Psalm 53:3 - All Are Corrupt"), reinforcing the ancient and persistent nature of human depravity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote his epistle to the church in Rome, a diverse community comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. In the Greco-Roman world, various philosophical schools (e.g., Stoicism, Epicureanism) offered differing views on ethics and human flourishing, often emphasizing human capacity for virtue. Within Judaism, while the concept of sin was central, there was also a strong emphasis on the Law as a means to righteousness and covenant faithfulness. Paul's argument directly challenges these prevailing notions by asserting that neither adherence to philosophical ideals nor the Mosaic Law can ultimately justify humanity before God. His radical claim of universal sinfulness would have been provocative to both Jewish and Gentile audiences, dismantling their self-righteousness and setting the stage for the revolutionary concept of justification by faith apart from works of the Law, which he introduces in [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Romans. Firstly, the theme of **Universal Sinfulness** is powerfully articulated, emphasizing that sin is not an isolated phenomenon but a pervasive condition affecting all humanity, regardless of background or religious affiliation. The phrase "They are all gone out of the way" highlights a collective deviation from God's intended path. Secondly, the verse underscores **Human Inability** to achieve righteousness through their own efforts. To be "unprofitable" signifies a state of spiritual uselessness, incapable of producing good that meets God's perfect standard. This theme is crucial for Paul's argument, as it demolishes any basis for human boasting and highlights the absolute necessity of divine intervention. Finally, it reinforces the **Divine Standard of Righteousness**, against which all human actions are measured and found wanting. The absolute nature of "no, not one" doing good emphasizes that even seemingly virtuous acts fall short of God's holy requirements, setting the stage for the revelation of God's righteousness imputed through faith, as presented in [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Abraham Justified by Faith").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gone out of the way (Greek, _ekklínō'_):** From G1578, meaning "to deviate, i.e. (absolutely) to shun (literally or figuratively), or (relatively) to decline (from piety)." This word vividly portrays humanity's collective departure from the straight path of God's will and righteousness. It suggests a deliberate turning away or a persistent straying from the divine standard, indicating a moral and spiritual declension rather than a mere accidental misstep.
* **unprofitable (Greek, _achreióō'_):** From G889, meaning "to render useless, i.e. spoil." This term describes the spiritual condition of fallen humanity as being unproductive or worthless in the context of serving God or producing genuine spiritual fruit. It implies a state of decay or corruption that renders human efforts incapable of pleasing God or contributing to their own salvation. The emphasis is on the inherent inability to yield anything of value to God.
* **good (Greek, _chrēstótēs'_):** From G5544, meaning "usefulness, i.e. morally, excellence (in character or demeanor):--gentleness, good(-ness), kindness." When the verse states "there is none that doeth good," it uses this term to refer to a moral excellence or inherent goodness that aligns with God's character and commands. The absence of this "good" underscores humanity's failure to live up to God's perfect moral standard, highlighting a fundamental deficiency in character and action that prevents any person from achieving righteousness on their own merit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They are all gone out of the way":** This opening clause declares a universal deviation. "They all" refers to humanity as a whole, encompassing every individual. The phrase "gone out of the way" signifies a collective and pervasive departure from the path of righteousness and truth established by God. It implies a willful turning aside from divine standards and a descent into moral and spiritual error.
* **"they are together become unprofitable":** Following the declaration of deviation, this clause emphasizes the consequence: humanity has collectively rendered itself useless or worthless in a spiritual sense. "Together become unprofitable" highlights a unified state of spiritual barrenness, where human efforts, apart from God, cannot produce anything of genuine value or merit in His sight. It speaks to a fundamental inability to serve God effectively or to contribute to one's own salvation.
* **"there is none that doeth good, no, not one":** This is the most absolute and emphatic statement in the verse. It asserts that not a single individual, without exception, performs actions that meet God's perfect standard of goodness. The double negative "none...no, not one" serves to remove any possibility of exception, leaving no room for human boasting or self-righteousness. It underscores the complete and utter inability of fallen human nature to produce truly righteous deeds in God's eyes.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's use of **Allusion** is central to this verse, as it directly quotes or paraphrases Old Testament passages (primarily [Psalm 14:3](/psalms/14-3 "Psalm 14:3 - All Have Gone Astray") and [Psalm 53:3](/psalms/53-3 "Psalm 53:3 - All Are Corrupt")). This intertextual connection lends ancient authority and prophetic weight to his argument regarding universal sin. The phrase "no, not one" employs powerful **Hyperbole** and **Emphasis**, serving to underscore the absolute and comprehensive nature of human depravity. While seemingly an exaggeration, it functions as a theological truth, highlighting that no human being, by their own efforts, can attain the perfect righteousness demanded by God. This emphatic negation leaves no ambiguity, driving home the point that humanity's spiritual condition is uniformly fallen and incapable of self-redemption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 3:12 stands as a foundational stone in the biblical doctrine of total depravity, not implying that humanity is as evil as it could possibly be, but rather that sin has corrupted every faculty of human nature—intellect, will, emotion, and body—rendering all people incapable of pleasing God or seeking Him truly on their own. This verse, along with the broader catena in [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - The Universal Guilt of Humanity"), sets the stage for Paul's grand exposition of God's righteousness revealed through faith in Jesus Christ. By demonstrating humanity's utter inability to achieve righteousness, Paul creates a theological vacuum that can only be filled by God's gracious provision of salvation. The universal condemnation of sin necessitates a universal solution, which is found in the atoning work of Christ.

* [Psalm 14:3](/psalms/14-3 "Psalm 14:3 - All Have Gone Astray")
* [Psalm 53:3](/psalms/53-3 "Psalm 53:3 - All Are Corrupt")
* [Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Our Righteousness as Filthy Rags")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound humbling agent, stripping away any pretense of self-righteousness or inherent goodness. It confronts us with the sobering reality of our fallen nature and our complete inability to earn God's favor through our own efforts. Rather than leading to despair, this truth is designed to highlight the glorious necessity and magnitude of God's grace. Recognizing that "there is none that doeth good, no, not one" should drive us to abandon all reliance on our own merit and to wholeheartedly embrace the righteousness that is freely offered through faith in Jesus Christ. It compels us to acknowledge our utter dependence on God for salvation and for the power to live a life that genuinely pleases Him. This understanding cultivates a deep appreciation for the cross, where Christ accomplished what we could never do for ourselves, and fosters a spirit of humility and gratitude.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the absolute statement "no, not one" challenge your natural inclination to believe in your own goodness or ability to earn God's favor?**
* **If humanity is truly "unprofitable" in God's sight, what implications does this have for our understanding of salvation and the role of human works?**
* **How does recognizing your own spiritual inability increase your appreciation for the grace and righteousness offered through Jesus Christ?**
* **In what practical ways can this truth lead you to depend more fully on God's strength rather than your own in daily life?**

### FAQ

**Does "no, not one" mean that people can't do any good deeds at all?**

Answer: This phrase, "there is none that doeth good, no, not one," does not mean that fallen humanity is incapable of performing acts that are beneficial or kind in a societal sense. People can and do perform acts of charity, justice, and compassion. However, in the biblical and theological context of Romans 3:12, "good" refers to actions that meet God's perfect standard of righteousness and are performed with a pure heart, motivated solely by love for God and His glory, apart from any self-interest. Because sin has corrupted every part of human nature, even seemingly good deeds are tainted by self-serving motives, pride, or a lack of perfect conformity to God's will. Therefore, from God's perspective, no human action, when weighed against His absolute holiness, is truly "good" enough to earn salvation or commend someone to Him. This is why Paul concludes in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 3:12, with its stark declaration of universal human depravity and inability, serves as the essential dark backdrop against which the glorious light of Christ's righteousness shines most brightly. If "there is none that doeth good, no, not one," then humanity is utterly lost and without hope of self-salvation. This verse powerfully establishes the desperate need for a Savior who *is* good, who *does* good, and who *is* profitable in God's sight. Jesus Christ is the sole exception to this universal condemnation; He alone lived a life of perfect obedience, fulfilling all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Fulfilling All Righteousness")), and was without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). His perfect life and substitutionary death on the cross provide the divine solution to humanity's unprofitability. Through faith in Him, believers are declared righteous, not based on their own "good" deeds (of which there are none that suffice), but on the imputed righteousness of Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Thus, Romans 3:12, far from being a message of despair, is the necessary prelude to the gospel, highlighting the magnitude of God's grace in providing a Savior who perfectly accomplishes what fallen humanity never could.

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 14:3

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

Ecclesiastes 7:20

For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Isaiah 64:6

¶ But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isaiah 59:8

The way of peace they know not; and [there is] no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Ecclesiastes 7:29

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.