Romans 3:9
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
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;
American King James Version (AKJV)
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;
American Standard Version (ASV)
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
What then? are we worse off than they? In no way: because we have before made it clear that Jews as well as Greeks are all under the power of sin;
Webster's Revision
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;
World English Bible
What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.
English Revised Version (ERV)
What then? are we in worse case than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin;
Definitions for Romans 3:9
Clarke's Romans 3:9 Bible Commentary
Jew. What then? - After all, have not we Jews a better claim to the privileges of the kingdom of God than the Gentiles have?
Apostle. No, in no wise - For I have already proved that both Jews and Gentiles are under the guilt of sin; that they are equally unworthy of the blessings of the Messiah's kingdom; and that they must both, equally, owe their salvation to the mere mercy of God. From this, to the end of the 26th verse, the apostle proceeds to prove his assertion, that both Jews and Gentiles were all under sin; and, that he might enforce the conviction upon the heart of the Jew, he quotes his own Scriptures, which he acknowledged had been given by the inspiration of God, and consequently true.
Barnes's Romans 3:9 Bible Commentary
What then? - This is another remark supposed to be made by a Jewish objector. "What follows? or are we to infer that we are better than others?
Are we better than they? - Are we Jews better than the Gentiles? Or rather, have we any preference, or advantage as to character and prospects, over the Gentiles? These questions refer only to the great point in debate, to wit, about justification before God. The apostle had admitted Romans 3:2 that the Jews had important advantages in some respects, but he now affirms that those advantages did not make a difference between them and the Gentiles about justification.
No, in no wise - Not at all. That is, the Jews have no preference or advantage over the Gentiles in regard to the subject of justification before God. They have failed to keep the Law; they are sinners; and if they are justified, it must be in the same way as the rest of the world.
We have before proved ... - Romans 1:21-32; 2.
Under sin - Sinners. Under the power and dominion of sin.
Wesley's Romans 3:9 Bible Commentary
3:9 What then - Here he resumes what he said, verse 1. Romans 3:1 .Under sin - Under the guilt and power of it: the Jews, by transgressing the written law; the gentiles, by transgressing the law of nature.
