Read the passage: Romans 3:1-20 (ESV, Bible Gateway)
As you read the passage, consider what main point Paul is trying to make in these verses.
Verses 1-2
- What advantage did the Jewish people have over the gentiles?
- What are the advantages we have over non-Christians? Do you ever find those a reason for pride or self-righteousness?
Verses 3-4
Paul is anticipating a rejection of his message, because the majority of Jewish people have actually not responded to the promises of the gospel.
- People from a Jewish background hearing this letter read may have responded, ‘sure, but God’s word has failed – they haven’t believed the promise, they haven’t believed the oracles. So few people, even/ especially Jewish people, believe the gospel’. How does Paul respond?
- Do you ever think that the fact that Bible-believing Christians are in a minority invalidates Christianity? How does Paul’s answer address that?
Verses 5-8
- In v5 and v7, Paul expresses an argument that an unbeliever might make. What is it, and how does he answer it in v6 and v8?
- Why do secular people dislike the idea of God’s wrath?
- If someone argues that God is wrong to inflict justice/wrath on us, what grounds remain fro arguing in favour of social justice?
- Why is God’s judgement in eternity consistent with our desire for justice now?
- When someone is facing a period of temptation, how might they argue something similar to v7?
- Why do secular people dislike the idea of God’s wrath?
Verse 9
- How is this a summary of chapters 1 and 2?
- One problem of Jewish nationalism was that they did consider themselves better than the gentiles. What is Christian nationalism, what examples of this do you see currently around the world, and how might they believe something similar to what Paul articulates from a Jewish perspective? Finally, why is it wrong?
- What does it mean to be ‘under sin’? Why is it remarkable that both Jew and gentile are ‘under sin’?
Verses 10-18
- Paul describes a number of ways sin has affected humanity. What are they? What areas do they cover?
- If not already discussed, in what ways is our speech like ‘an open grave’ v13?
- Paul says, v11, ‘No one seeks for God.’ What does it mean to ‘seek God’?
- We can think of non-Christians as ‘seekers’. What are they seeking for, and is it God?
- Why might it be closer to the truth to describe humanity, not as seekers, but as runners and hiders from God?
- Look at John 6:44 and 2 Timothy 2:25. What do Jesus and Paul tell us about what must first precede us seeking God?
- How does the truth that you only came to God because He first sought you out, and that you only believe because He gave you the faith to do so, affect you?
- Why can Paul say in v12 that ‘no one does good’? Is that true?
- Consider 1 Corinthians 10:31 – how often is the motive for doing good God’s glory?
- What might people’s motives be?
- In v15 Paul says humanity is swift to shed blood. What are the root reasons we become angry, or vengeful? What does this say about the state of our hearts?
- Considering v18, what is the fear of God? (Consider 2 Chron 17v10; Job 28v28; Psalm 111v10, 130v3-4; Prov 1v7, 8v13)
- How is the fear of God the opposite of all the sins Paul has just listed?
Verses 19-20
- What does Paul give as purposes of the law?
- Why is trying to obey the law and live a moral life a form of self-salvation? What is it doomed to failure?
- In v20 Paul’s conclusion is clear. What is it?
- Do you ever find yourself thinking you are made right in God’s sight by doing right? Why is this, do you think?
- What are the negative results of thinking like this?
Wrap it up
Summarise the main points and take-home messages of this passage in a sentence or two.
Leader’s notes
As you read the passage, consider what main point Paul is trying to make in these verses.
His conclusion in v20 is a good summary – no one is made righteous by observing the law.
Verses 5-8
- In v5 and v7, Paul expresses an argument that an unbeliever might make. What is it, and how does he answer it in v6 and v8?
- When someone is facing a period of temptation, how might they argue something similar to v7?
That if we give in to temptation, God will forgive us, and show us grace, which is what he’s supposed to do, and wants to do, and brings Him glory by doing. So it’s ok if I sin.
- When someone is facing a period of temptation, how might they argue something similar to v7?
Verse 9
- How is this a summary of chapters 1 and 2?
- One problem of Jewish nationalism was that they did consider themselves better than the Gentiles. What is Christian nationalism, what examples of this do you see currently around the world, and how might they believe something similar to what Paul articulates from a Jewish perspective? Finally, why is it wrong?
Christian nationalists believe their nation has been/is defined by Christianity, and that the governing authorities should preserve that. It can become prideful by considering themselves more righteous, special, or chosen in the eyes of God than other nations/people; it may fail to adequately see or address the sins of the nation. There are a number of examples of ‘Christian’ nationalism: in the US (among ‘evangelicals’); Russia (the Orthodox church), Hungary, and (possibly) Poland (the Roman Catholic church). - What does it mean to be ‘under sin’? Why is it remarkable that both Jew and Gentile are ‘under sin’?
It is to be under the control and influence of sin, a citizen of the world, not of God’s kingdom; it is to be out of relationship with God; the same as being unrighteous. Whether someone is living a highly moral life, or living a life of clear sin, both are ‘under sin’, both are equally lost, even if both are not as equally sinful or immoral. The only other alternative is its opposite: being ‘under grace’.
- One problem of Jewish nationalism was that they did consider themselves better than the Gentiles. What is Christian nationalism, what examples of this do you see currently around the world, and how might they believe something similar to what Paul articulates from a Jewish perspective? Finally, why is it wrong?
Verses 10-18
- Paul describes a number of ways sin has affected humanity. What are they? What areas do they cover?
Our unrighteousness – our standing before God; our failure to understand the situation we are in – our minds are darkened; our failure to seek God; our failure to do good; our speech; our actions; our relationships and the divisiveness of our relationships; our failure to fear and properly respect God.- Paul says, v11, ‘No one seeks for God.’ What does it mean to ‘seek God’?
To seek God means to desire to know Him for who He is, to worship, glory, enjoy and rejoice in Him- We can think of non-Christians as ‘seekers’. What are they seeking for, and is it God?
There is a sense in which people seek for God: they seek for their needs – physical/spiritual/ emotional – to be met, and they seek that in all sorts of different areas. The danger however, is that we seek God for what He gives us, rather than for Himself/who He is. We want peace, or answers, or significance, or healing, or blessing; we might be interested in philosophical arguments/ discussions about God’s existence – but it’s not God Himself we want.
- We can think of non-Christians as ‘seekers’. What are they seeking for, and is it God?
- Look at John 6:44 and 2 Timothy 2:25. What do Jesus and Paul tell us about what must first precede us seeking God?
No one truly seeks God without God first seeking them- How does the truth that you only came to God because He first sought you out, and that you only believe because He gave you the faith to do so, affect you?
It should humble us and fill us with gratitude and joy and confidence – God has done this for me!
- How does the truth that you only came to God because He first sought you out, and that you only believe because He gave you the faith to do so, affect you?
- Why can Paul say in v12 that ‘no one does good’? Is that true?
- What might people’s motives be?
While many people do good, once we bring our motives for doing good into the frame, our good works become less good: they become forms of self-salvation, or attention seeking, or pride. It is only those works done from right motives, at the right time, with the right power that are good, and this is impossible outside of relationship with Christ. Also, the goodness Paul is talking of is the goodness that we think makes us right in God’s sight, and no-one is that good!
- What might people’s motives be?
- Paul says, v11, ‘No one seeks for God.’ What does it mean to ‘seek God’?
Verses 19-20
- What does Paul give as purposes of the law?
It makes us aware of our sin; it condemns us for our sin.- In v20 Paul’s conclusion is clear. What is it?
- What are the negative results of thinking like this?
When we think our standing with God depends on what we do, it can lead us to experience feelings of guilt that we’re never doing enough, and a lack of confidence, joy and thankfulness in our faith.
- What are the negative results of thinking like this?
- In v20 Paul’s conclusion is clear. What is it?
Download the complete study: Bible study on Romans (PDF) and leader’s guide (PDF)