Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Original Language Analysis
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
2 of 8
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὅτι
G3754
δίκαιος
righteous
G1342
δίκαιος
righteous
Strong's:
G1342
Word #:
6 of 8
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
Cross References
Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Job 15:14What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?Job 25:4How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?Matthew 15:19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:Mark 10:18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.Titus 3:3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.1 Peter 1:16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.Job 14:4Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.Romans 3:4God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Historical Context
Psalm 14 (repeated as Psalm 53) was Israel's confession of human folly and corruption. Paul applies what Israel said about pagan nations to all humanity, including Israel itself. This hermeneutical move—universalizing texts Israel applied only to Gentiles—undergirds Paul's entire argument.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you truly believe there is "not one righteous"—including yourself apart from Christ?
- How does this verse demolish all attempts at self-justification or moral comparison?
- Why must the gospel begin with this radical assessment of human unrighteousness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Paul begins his devastating catena (chain) of Old Testament quotations (vv. 10-18), drawing primarily from the Psalms and Isaiah. Kathos gegraptai (καθὼς γέγραπται, "as it is written") anchors the argument in Scripture's authority. Ouk estin dikaios oude heis (οὐκ ἔστιν δίκαιος οὐδὲ εἷς, "there is no righteous one, not even one")—echoing Psalm 14:1-3 and 53:1-3.
Dikaios (δίκαιος, "righteous") means conforming to God's standard, the opposite of hamartōlos ("sinner"). The emphatic oude heis ("not even one") eliminates all exceptions. Paul uses Israel's own Scriptures to prove universal depravity. This is not hyperbole or exaggeration—it is the Spirit-inspired assessment of human moral standing. No one, by nature, meets God's righteous requirements.