Romans 3:11
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Original Language Analysis
ἔστιν
There is
G2076
ἔστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
2 of 10
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνίων
that understandeth
G4920
συνίων
that understandeth
Strong's:
G4920
Word #:
4 of 10
to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously
ἔστιν
There is
G2076
ἔστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
6 of 10
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκζητῶν
that seeketh after
G1567
ἐκζητῶν
that seeketh after
Strong's:
G1567
Word #:
8 of 10
to search out, i.e., (figuratively)investigate, crave, demand, (by hebraism) worship
Cross References
Psalms 53:2God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.Romans 8:7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.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.Isaiah 65:1I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.Isaiah 55:6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:Jeremiah 4:22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Historical Context
Against Greek philosophy's optimism about human reason and Jewish confidence in Torah knowledge, Paul asserts radical noetic effects of sin. Even possessing Scripture (v. 2) does not guarantee understanding—spiritual illumination requires divine initiative (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse challenge the popular notion that "everyone is seeking God in their own way"?
- What does it mean that fallen humans lack both the understanding and desire for God?
- How should this truth shape your evangelism and apologetics—what must happen before anyone seeks God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Continuing the catena from Psalm 14:2. Ouk estin ho syniōn (οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ συνίων, "there is none who understands")—intellectual corruption. Ouk estin ho ekzētōn ton theon (οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὸν θεόν, "there is none who seeks God")—volitional rebellion.
Human depravity is both noetic (affecting the mind) and moral (affecting the will). No one naturally comprehends spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14) or desires God. This contradicts the Pelagian notion of human ability to initiate seeking God. In biblical theology, God always seeks first (Luke 19:10); human seeking is always responsive to prevenient grace. Paul's anthropology is bleak: left to ourselves, we neither understand nor desire our Creator.