Romans 3:15

KJV

Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:

KJV (with Strong's)

Their {G846} feet {G4228} are swift {G3691} to shed {G1632} blood {G129}:

Complete Jewish Bible

“Their feet rush to shed blood,

Berean Standard Bible

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

American Standard Version

Their feet are swift to shed blood;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 3:15, a stark declaration from Paul's catena of Old Testament scriptures, vividly portrays the profound depravity of fallen humanity. It asserts that human beings, apart from divine grace, possess an inherent and eager inclination towards violence and destruction, symbolized by "feet swift to shed blood." This verse serves as a critical component in Paul's overarching argument in Romans 3:9-20, establishing the universal guilt of both Jews and Gentiles under sin and underscoring humanity's desperate need for God's righteousness, which is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 3:15 is an integral part of Paul's sustained argument in [Romans 3:9-20](/romans/3-9-20 "Romans 3:9-20 - The Universal Guilt of Humanity"), where he systematically demonstrates that "all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin" ([Romans 3:9](/romans/3-9 "Romans 3:9 - All Under Sin")). To substantiate this sweeping claim, Paul masterfully compiles a "catena" or chain of Old Testament quotations, primarily from the Psalms and Isaiah, in [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - No One Is Righteous"). This collection of verses serves as a unified prophetic witness to the pervasive nature of human sinfulness, encompassing every faculty and aspect of human existence—mind, mouth, heart, and feet. Romans 3:15, specifically drawn from [Isaiah 59:7](/isaiah/59-7 "Isaiah 59:7 - Their Feet Run to Evil"), focuses on the readiness and eagerness of humanity to engage in violent and destructive actions, providing concrete evidence of the moral corruption that permeates human behavior, thus setting the stage for the glorious declaration of justification by faith in [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul addresses a diverse church in Rome, composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers. Historically, Jews prided themselves on their possession of the Law and their covenant relationship with God, often believing this set them apart as righteous. Gentiles, on the other hand, were often seen as living in moral depravity. Paul's argument in [Romans 1](/romans/1 "Romans 1 - The Guilt of the Gentiles") and [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - The Guilt of the Jews") meticulously dismantles any basis for self-righteousness for either group. By quoting from the Old Testament, which was authoritative for Jewish believers, Paul demonstrates that the problem of sin is not a new phenomenon or limited to any one group, but a universal human condition attested to by their own sacred texts. The imagery of "shedding blood" would have resonated deeply in a world familiar with violence, war, and judicial executions, highlighting the tangible, destructive consequences of humanity's fallen nature.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Romans and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Universal Human Depravity**, asserting that sin is not merely a collection of individual acts but a deep-seated corruption of human nature, affecting intentions and actions. Secondly, it highlights the **Readiness for Evil**, demonstrating that humanity's inclination towards sin is not hesitant but eager and swift, a stark contrast to God's patience and slowness to anger. Thirdly, it reinforces the **Old Testament Witness to Sin**, showing Paul's reliance on and interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures to validate his theological claims about humanity's fallen state. Finally, by vividly portraying the depth of human sin, Romans 3:15 intensifies the **Need for Redemption**, setting the stage for Paul's subsequent exposition of God's gracious provision of righteousness through faith in Christ, which is the only antidote to such pervasive sinfulness, as seen in [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **swift (Greek, _oxýs'_):** Derived from a root meaning "keen" or "sharp," this word signifies rapidity, quickness, or eagerness. In this context, it emphasizes the unhesitating, almost impulsive, readiness with which fallen humanity moves towards destructive actions. It suggests an active desire rather than a reluctant participation in evil.
* **shed (Greek, _ekchéō'_):** Literally meaning "to pour forth" or "to pour out," this verb is often used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) to describe the violent spilling of blood, particularly in murder or sacrifice. Here, it denotes the act of inflicting harm or taking life, underscoring the severity and finality of the destructive actions.
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** While literally referring to the vital fluid, "blood" in this context is a metonymy for life itself, and its "shedding" signifies violence, injury, and ultimately, murder. It encapsulates the ultimate destructive act against another human being, highlighting the extreme manifestation of human depravity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their feet":** This phrase uses metonymy, where "feet" represent the entire person's actions, intentions, and movements. It refers to the collective "they" of fallen humanity, encompassing all people who are "under sin" ([Romans 3:9](/romans/3-9 "Romans 3:9 - All Under Sin")). It emphasizes the active, physical manifestation of an internal corrupt nature.
* **"[are] swift":** This signifies an inherent eagerness, readiness, and lack of hesitation. It portrays a disposition that is quick to act on malicious impulses, not one that is slow, reluctant, or restrained. It paints a picture of people who are not merely capable of evil, but are inclined and poised to commit it.
* **"to shed blood":** This is the violent and destructive outcome of the "swift" feet. It is an idiom for committing murder or inflicting severe, life-threatening harm. The phrase encapsulates the ultimate expression of human malice and hostility towards others, demonstrating the depth of moral corruption that characterizes humanity apart from God's transforming grace.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 3:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of human depravity. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "feet" to represent the entire person's active will and readiness to engage in harmful deeds; the physical instrument stands for the moral inclination. The phrase "swift to shed blood" functions as **Hyperbole** or **Figurative Language**, not necessarily implying that every individual is literally a murderer, but rather emphasizing the extreme and pervasive nature of humanity's inclination towards violence, malice, and destruction. It is a powerful overstatement designed to shock and reveal the depth of sin's grip. Furthermore, the verse is a direct **Quotation** from [Isaiah 59:7](/isaiah/59-7 "Isaiah 59:7 - Their Feet Run to Evil"), demonstrating Paul's skillful use of Old Testament scripture to build his theological argument, lending divine authority and historical continuity to his assertions about universal human sinfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 3:15 profoundly contributes to the biblical doctrine of humanity's fallen state, often termed "total depravity." This concept does not mean that every person is as evil as they could possibly be, but rather that every aspect of human nature—mind, will, emotions, and body—has been corrupted by sin, rendering humanity utterly incapable of saving itself or perfectly obeying God's law. The "swiftness to shed blood" illustrates the active, eager, and pervasive nature of this corruption, manifesting not only in literal violence but also in malice, hatred, injustice, and any action that devalues or harms another human being, who is made in God's image. This deep-seated inclination towards evil is a universal condition, making the need for divine intervention and a radical transformation of the human heart absolutely essential.

* [Genesis 6:5](/genesis/6-5 "Genesis 6:5 - The Wickedness of Man"): "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart"): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
* [Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21-23 "Mark 7:21-23 - What Defiles a Person"): "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 3:15 serves as a sobering mirror, reflecting the uncomfortable truth about human nature apart from God's transforming grace. It challenges us to look beyond superficial morality and acknowledge the deep-seated inclination towards self-interest, hostility, and destructive behavior that resides within every human heart. This isn't merely about literal acts of violence, but about the readiness to harm others through words, attitudes, neglect, or injustice. Recognizing this inherent depravity should lead us to profound humility and a deeper appreciation for the magnitude of God's grace. It compels us to examine our own impulses and motivations, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where our "feet" might be swift to cause harm rather than bring peace. True transformation means surrendering our natural inclinations to Christ, allowing His Spirit to reorient our desires and direct our steps towards righteousness, compassion, and reconciliation, actively seeking to build up rather than tear down.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of human nature and my own capacity for sin?**
* **In what ways might "swiftness to shed blood" manifest in my own life or in society today, beyond literal violence (e.g., through words, attitudes, online behavior, systemic injustice)?**
* **How does recognizing this aspect of human depravity deepen my appreciation for Christ's redemption and the Holy Spirit's ongoing work of sanctification in my life?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul quote so many Old Testament verses in Romans 3:10-18?**

Answer: Paul's extensive use of Old Testament quotations in [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - No One Is Righteous") is a crucial rhetorical and theological strategy. He aims to establish the universal guilt of humanity—both Jew and Gentile—before God. By drawing from authoritative scriptures that were foundational to the Jewish understanding of God and morality, Paul demonstrates that the problem of sin is not a new or merely a Gentile issue, but a timeless, pervasive condition attested to by God's own revelation. This "catena" of verses serves as an irrefutable, divinely inspired witness to human depravity, encompassing every aspect of human existence. It systematically dismantles any claim to self-righteousness, thereby preparing the ground for the radical truth that justification comes solely through God's grace by faith in Jesus Christ, as proclaimed in [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith").

**Does "swift to shed blood" mean all people are murderers?**

Answer: No, the phrase "swift to shed blood" does not literally mean that every human being is a murderer or is constantly engaged in physical violence. Instead, it is a powerful, figurative expression (hyperbole) used to underscore the *tendency*, *readiness*, and *eagerness* of fallen human nature towards malice, hostility, and destructive behavior. It highlights the deep-seated inclination within the human heart to cause harm, whether through physical violence, verbal abuse, emotional manipulation, or systemic injustice. This inclination, if left unchecked by God's grace, can indeed culminate in the gravest acts, including murder. Paul uses this vivid imagery to emphasize the pervasive and profound nature of human depravity, illustrating that sin corrupts not just actions but also intentions and dispositions, making humanity inherently prone to causing harm to others and rebelling against God, as further explained in [Romans 1:18-32](/romans/1-18-32 "Romans 1:18-32 - The Guilt of Humanity").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 3:15, with its stark portrayal of humanity's readiness for violence and destruction, finds its ultimate answer and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While humanity's "feet are swift to shed blood," Christ's feet were swift to bring good news, walking paths of peace, healing, and reconciliation, fulfilling the prophecy of [Isaiah 52:7](/isaiah/52-7 "Isaiah 52:7 - How Beautiful Are the Feet"), which Paul echoes in [Romans 10:15](/romans/10-15 "Romans 10:15 - How Beautiful Are the Feet of Those Who Bring Good News"). Far from shedding the blood of others, Jesus willingly shed His own innocent blood on the cross, not as an act of violence, but as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")). His precious blood cleanses us from all sin, transforming hearts that were once inclined to evil into hearts that desire righteousness and peace ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by His Blood")). Through faith in Him, believers are no longer characterized by a readiness to harm, but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life, with their feet directed towards good works prepared by God ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")) and to spread the gospel of peace ([Ephesians 6:15](/ephesians/6-15 "Ephesians 6:15 - Feet Fitted with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace")). Thus, Christ's self-sacrifice and transformative power fully address and redeem the tragic reality of human depravity described in Romans 3:15.

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

Isaiah 59:7

Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths.

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.

Proverbs 1:16

For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Proverbs 6:18

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,