Romans 3:17

KJV

And the way of peace have they not known:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the way {G3598} of peace {G1515} have {G1097} they not {G3756} known {G1097}:

Complete Jewish Bible

and the way of shalom they do not know.

Berean Standard Bible

and the way of peace they have not known.”

American Standard Version

And the way of peace have they not known:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 3:17, "And the way of peace have they not known," serves as a stark indictment within Paul's comprehensive argument for humanity's universal sinfulness. It encapsulates the spiritual blindness and moral depravity that characterize all people apart from God's intervention, highlighting a profound absence of true well-being, wholeness, and right relationship with God and others. This verse, drawn from Old Testament prophetic witness, underscores that humanity, left to its own devices, is inherently incapable of discovering or walking in the path that leads to genuine peace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 3:17 is part of a crucial section in Paul's letter, specifically [Romans 3:9-20](/romans/3-9-20 "Romans 3:9-20 - All Under Sin"), where he systematically proves that both Jews and Gentiles are "under sin." This particular verse is one of several Old Testament quotations (primarily from Psalms 14, 5, 140, 10, and Isaiah 59) that Paul masterfully weaves together in [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - No One Is Righteous") to paint a composite picture of human depravity. These verses collectively demonstrate the pervasive nature of sin, affecting every aspect of human existence—speech, actions, and inner disposition. Verse 17, echoing [Isaiah 59:8](/isaiah/59-8 "Isaiah 59:8 - Their Ways are Not Ways of Peace"), specifically addresses the tragic consequence of this sin: the inability to find or follow the path of true peace, setting the stage for Paul's grand 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 wrote to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. In the Roman world, "peace" (Pax Romana) often referred to the absence of war, enforced by imperial power. However, the biblical concept of "peace" (Hebrew: *shalom*, Greek: *eirḗnē*) is far richer, encompassing wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and harmonious relationships, especially with God. The Jewish audience would have understood "the way" (*halakha*) as a prescribed path or manner of life, often associated with adherence to God's law. Paul's use of Old Testament texts would resonate deeply with them, reminding them of prophetic warnings against straying from God's ways. For Gentiles, the idea of a "way of peace" would contrast sharply with the often-violent and morally compromised realities of pagan society, highlighting their spiritual lostness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans. Firstly, it underscores the **universal human depravity**, demonstrating that humanity's fallen state leads not only to immoral actions but also to a fundamental spiritual blindness concerning the true path to well-being. Secondly, it highlights the **consequences of sin**, revealing that alienation from God results in internal turmoil, relational brokenness, and an inability to experience genuine *shalom*. The "way of peace" is not merely unknown intellectually but is actively avoided or unreachable due to humanity's sinful trajectory, as described in [Romans 1:18-32](/romans/1-18-32 "Romans 1:18-32 - God's Wrath Against Sin"). Thirdly, it sets the stage for the **necessity of divine intervention and the gospel**. By establishing humanity's utter inability to achieve peace on its own, Paul prepares his readers for the glorious revelation of God's righteousness and the peace offered through faith in Jesus Christ, which is the central message of the book, particularly from [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith") onwards.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **way (Greek, _hodós'_):** This term signifies a road, a path, or a journey. Figuratively, it denotes a course of conduct, a mode of life, or a means of achieving something. In this context, it refers to the manner of living or the moral and spiritual trajectory that leads to peace. The implication is that humanity has chosen, or is stuck on, a different path.
* **peace (Greek, _eirḗnē'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to join," *eirḗnē* encompasses more than just the absence of conflict. It is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew *shalom*, signifying wholeness, completeness, well-being, security, prosperity, and a right relationship—especially with God and with others. To lack this peace is to be fundamentally broken, alienated, and in disarray.
* **known (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb implies more than mere intellectual acquaintance; it suggests an experiential, relational, and intimate understanding. To "not have known" the way of peace means that humanity has not truly experienced it, nor has it understood it in a way that leads to walking in it. It speaks to a profound spiritual ignorance and an inability to discern or embrace the path that leads to genuine *shalom*.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the way of peace":** This phrase refers to the path, manner of life, or course of conduct that leads to genuine, holistic peace—the *shalom* that encompasses well-being, harmony, and right relationship with God and others. It is not merely a state of being but a journey or a lifestyle that produces such a state.
* **"have they not known":** This clause emphasizes humanity's experiential and relational ignorance of this "way." It's not just that they haven't been taught it, but that they haven't walked in it, haven't lived it, and therefore haven't truly comprehended or possessed it. This lack of knowing is a direct consequence of their sinful nature and actions, as detailed in the preceding verses, which describe their destructive and violent ways.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 3:17 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. Firstly, it functions as an **Old Testament Allusion/Quotation**, specifically echoing [Isaiah 59:8](/isaiah/59-8 "Isaiah 59:8 - Their Ways are Not Ways of Peace"), which speaks of those who "know not the way of peace." By quoting the prophets, Paul grounds his argument in the established divine revelation, demonstrating that humanity's sinful condition and its consequences are not new observations but ancient truths. Secondly, the phrase "the way of peace" is a **Metaphor**, portraying peace not just as a destination but as a path or a journey. This metaphor highlights that peace is achieved through a particular manner of living, which humanity, in its fallen state, is unable to discern or follow. Thirdly, the statement is a **Universal Statement**, part of a broader indictment that applies to all humanity. While drawing from specific prophetic contexts, Paul uses these quotations to paint a sweeping picture of human depravity, emphasizing that this lack of peace is a pervasive condition, not an isolated incident.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 3:17 stands as a profound theological statement on the human condition apart from God. It asserts that true peace, understood as holistic well-being and right relationship, is not something humanity can achieve or even properly comprehend on its own. Our inherent sinfulness leads us away from the very path that would bring us into harmony with God, ourselves, and others. This verse underscores the biblical truth that peace is ultimately a divine gift, a characteristic of God's reign, and a fruit of righteousness, rather than a human accomplishment. It highlights the spiritual bankruptcy of humanity, setting the stage for the glorious revelation of God's solution in Christ, who alone is the source and embodiment of true peace.

* [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")
* [Isaiah 59:8](/isaiah/59-8 "Isaiah 59:8 - No Peace for the Wicked")
* [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 3:17 serves as a sobering mirror, reflecting the reality of a world constantly striving for peace yet perpetually failing to attain it. Whether on a global scale, within communities, or in the quiet chambers of the human heart, true and lasting peace remains elusive apart from God. This verse challenges us to acknowledge our own spiritual limitations and the inherent inability of humanity to self-generate genuine *shalom*. It reminds us that our natural inclinations lead to conflict, anxiety, and dis-ease, not wholeness. For believers, it deepens our appreciation for the gospel, which offers not merely a temporary truce but a transformative, foundational peace with God and within ourselves through Christ. It calls us to cease our futile efforts to find peace in worldly pursuits and instead to embrace the one who *is* our peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I seek "peace" outside of God's design, and what are the consequences of those pursuits?**
* **How does recognizing humanity's inability to "know the way of peace" deepen my gratitude for the gospel of Jesus Christ?**
* **What practical steps can I take to more fully walk in the "way of peace" that Christ offers, both personally and in my relationships with others?**

### FAQ
**What does "the way of peace" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The way of peace" refers to the path, course of conduct, or lifestyle that leads to true, holistic well-being and harmony. The Greek word for "peace" (*eirḗnē*) carries the rich meaning of the Hebrew *shalom*, encompassing not just the absence of conflict but also completeness, wholeness, prosperity, security, and right relationship with God and with others. Therefore, to "not know the way of peace" means that humanity, in its fallen state, is fundamentally incapable of discerning, choosing, or living in a manner that leads to this profound, God-given state of *shalom*. It highlights a spiritual blindness and moral inability to walk in God's righteous path, which is the only true source of peace. This stands in stark contrast to the peace offered through Jesus Christ, who is Himself "the way" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")).

**How does this verse relate to the rest of Romans?**

Answer: Romans 3:17 is a critical component of Paul's overarching argument in the first three chapters of Romans, where he systematically demonstrates the universal sinfulness of both Gentiles and Jews. It serves as a powerful summary statement, concluding his compilation of Old Testament passages (found in [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - No One Is Righteous")) that collectively prove that "there is none righteous, no, not one" ([Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - No One Righteous")). By establishing humanity's profound inability to know or walk in the "way of peace," Paul effectively shuts every mouth and brings the entire world "guilty before God" ([Romans 3:19](/romans/3-19 "Romans 3:19 - All Guilty Before God")). This comprehensive indictment of human depravity then logically necessitates the divine solution: God's righteousness revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, which Paul introduces immediately afterward in [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith"), thereby paving the way for the glorious message of justification and reconciliation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 3:17's declaration that "the way of peace have they not known" finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity's inability to find or walk in this way underscores the absolute necessity of a divine intervention, and Christ is precisely that intervention. He is not merely a guide to peace, but He *is* our peace, as Paul declares in [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"), having broken down the dividing wall of hostility through His sacrifice. While humanity was lost, unable to discern the path to *shalom*, Jesus proclaimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). He made peace "through the blood of his cross" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Peace Through Christ's Blood")), reconciling us to God and offering a peace that "passeth all understanding" ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). The "way of peace" that was unknown to fallen humanity is now fully revealed and made accessible through the Prince of Peace ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), whose kingdom is characterized by "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")).

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 59:8

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.

Romans 5:1

¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Luke 1:79

To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Matthew 7:14

Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Isaiah 57:21

[There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.