Romans 3:23 We’ve All Sinned and fallen short (In Context)!!

[spiriteddove05]

Starting from romans 9,

What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

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

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

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

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

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

 

[spiriteddove05]

Ok so in this passage apostle paul is talking and he seems 2 be addressing the sinful hearts of man, yes I know that we all have a sinful nature that is innately in us, but he mentions “jews and gentiles” in verse 9.


hmmm? Why not talk about all man as a whole, why make a distinction? It seems like he’s trying 2 make a point.

Ok well lets go back a step, as in to romans 2

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.


2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.


3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?


4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?


5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;


6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:


7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:


8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

 

[spiriteddove05]

and again in this next passage paul mentions the “jews” again!!


17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,


18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;


19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,


20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.


21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?


22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?


23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?


24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.


25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.


26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?


27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?


28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:


29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

 

[spiriteddove05]

Ok so really here hes calling the jews hypocrites and boasters and is calling them out, he’s saying their circumcision will not save them coz their only circumcised on the inside but not the outside.

Ok so here we see in both romans 2 & 3 dat paul is addressing the jews as 2 the state of their heart so when he says “all have sinned and fallen short” dat 2 is directed at the jews as dem being fully grown men because lets look at 4 instants say a child.

Do children sin? Maybe, possibly. Children actually know the difference between right and wrong before they reach the age of two, according to new research. Scientists have found that even babies aged between 19 and 21 months understand fairness and can apply it in different situations.( not sure I agree with the 19 and 21 months but any how).

But wat about a new born? Can a new born baby sin? A small subsistent offspring!! How so? Also Paul said “all have sinned” as in “everyone” as in every person in the “universe”

But how could paul know dat? Does paul know every single person in the universe? To make dat claim you would have 2 be all knowing right!! But God is only all knowing and know one else.

Know if u understand “historical context” and you understand pauls writings you’ll know that pauls sometimes spoke with a kind of deep theology even the other apostles coudnt understand paul at times!! You can look up the complexity of pauls teachings urself.

So when pauls talking here again 1st hes addressing the jews 2nd hes being (figurative)!! God also speaks with metaphoric language threw out the bible, so did jesus, and dis is no exception. It is normal in the jewish culture 2 often use connotations 2 explain things and dis is one of them, its typical jewish languo!!

If not and ur taking it literally den as mentioned b4!! Paul would hav 2 be all knowing

2 claim dat everyone has sinned!! 2nd new born babys cant sin!! Which also is a contradiction. If you think other wise den you’ll hav 2 proove 2 me dat a newly born offspring can sin!!. And dat paul is all knowing!!.

 

[Sue D.]

Paul was writing / teaching that which He was inspired to write through the Holy Spirit by God. God is all-knowing.

Sounds a bit like you're trying to rationalize Scripture -- and you've landed on one subject and want it Proven.