A.T. Robertson Commentary Romans 3:10

A.T. Robertson Commentary

Romans 3:10

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
A.T. Robertson
A.T. Robertson

A.T. Robertson Commentary

Romans 3:10

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one;" — Romans 3:10 (ASV)

As it is written (καθως γεγραπτα οτ). Usual formula of quotation as in verse 4 with recitative οτ added as in verse 8. Paul here uses a catena or chain of quotations to prove his point in verse 9 that Jews are in no better fix than the Greeks for all are under sin. Dr. J. Rendel Harris has shown that the Jews and early Christians had Testimonia (quotations from the Old Testament) strung together for certain purposes as proof-texts. Paul may have used one of them or he may have put these passages together himself. Verses 10-12 come from Ps 14:1-3; first half of 13 as far as εδολιουσαν from Ps 4:9, the second half from Ps 140:3; verse 14 from Ps 10:7; 15-17 from an abridgment of Isa 59:7f.; verse 18 from Ps 35:1. Paul has given compounded quotations elsewhere (2 Corinthians 6:16; Romans 9:25f.,27f; 11:26f.,34f.; 12:19f.). Curiously enough this compounded quotation was imported bodily into the text (LXX) of Ps 14 after verse 4 in Aleph B, etc.

There is none righteous, no, not one (ουκ εστιν δικαιος ουδε εις). "There is not a righteous man, not even one." This sentence is like a motto for all the rest, a summary for what follows.