Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 3:19

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:" — Romans 3:19 (ASV)

In order to press this testimony of Scripture more directly upon the Jews, and to prevent any subterfuge by which they might attempt to shift the reference from themselves to the Gentiles, the Apostle calls attention to the fact that the Law—i.e., the Old Testament, from which he has been quoting—speaks especially to those to whom it was given.

Says . . . says.—Different words are used here in the Greek; the first is applicable as much to the matter as to the utterance of what is spoken, and the second refers specifically to the outward act by which it is enunciated or promulgated; this is addressed to certain persons.

Guilty before God.—Rather, guilty to God; the dative expresses the person to whom the penalty is due.