Romans 3:19

Romans 3:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
• New International Version (NIV)Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.

Context of Romans 3:19

17And the way of peace they have not known.” 18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

Romans 3:19 word by word

οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι ὅσα ὁ νόμος λέγει τοῖς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ λαλεῖ, ἵνα πᾶν στόμα φραγῇ, καὶ ὑπόδικος γένηται πᾶς ὁ κόσμος τῷ θεῷ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• we knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• what things soeverὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
• the lawὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• it saithλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• underἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• mouthστόμαstoma · mouthG4750
• may be stoppedφράσσωphrassō · to stopG5420
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
• may becomeγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• guiltyὑπόδικοςhupodikos · accountableG5267
• before Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for Romans 3:19

• Romans 3:2Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.
• Romans 2:12For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law
• John 10:34Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’?
• John 15:25But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
• 1 Corinthians 9:20and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
• Galatians 3:23But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
• Galatians 4:5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
• Galatians 5:18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
• Romans 3:4Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
• Romans 1:20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
• Romans 2:1Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
• 1 Samuel 2:9He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail.
• Job 5:16So the poor have hope, And injustice shuts her mouth.
• Job 9:2“Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God?
• Psalms 107:42The righteous see it and rejoice, And all iniquity stops its mouth.
• Ezekiel 16:63that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord God.’ ”

Commentaries on Romans 3:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19What things soever the law saith - That the word law, here, does not mean the pentateuch, is evident from the preceding quotations, not one of which is taken from that work. Either the term law must here mean the Jewish writings in general, or that rule of moral conduct which God had given to both Jews and Gentiles: to the former in their own Scriptures; to the latter in that law written in their hearts by his own Spirit, and acknowledged in their written…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19Now we know - We all admit. It is a conceded plain point. What things soever - Whether given as precepts, or recorded as historical facts. Whatever things are found in the Law. “The law saith.” This means here evidently the Old Testament. From that the apostle had been drawing his arguments, and his train of thought requires us here to understand the whole of the Old Testament by this. The same principle applies, however, to all law, that it speaks only…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-20Verses 19-20 It is in vain to seek for justification by the works of the law. All must plead guilty. Guilty before God, is a dreadful word; but no man can be justified by a law which condemns him for breaking it. The corruption in our nature, will for ever stop any justification by our own works.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19Paul refers to the entire Old Testament as the law (see also 1 Corinthians 9:8, 9; 14:21, 34; Galatians 4:21). The Jews, who received the Scriptures, were those to whom God gave the law (literally, those in the law). How can Paul conclude that the whole world [is] held accountable to God based on Old Testament evidence that Jews are sinful? He uses a common Jewish technique of argument, reasoning from the greater idea to the lesser. The law shows that the…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Now we know that what ... the law--that is, the Scriptures, considered as a law of duty. saith, it saith to them that are under the law--of course, therefore, to the Jews. that every mouth--opened in self-justification. may be stopped, and all the world may become--that is, be seen to be, and own itself. guilty--and so condemned before God.Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 3:19

• Bigotry
• Boasting
• Depravity of Man

In the dictionaries

• God
• Boasting
• Conclude
• Destruction
• Establish
• Faith
• Fall of man
• Justifier
• Overcome
• Sin

Commentaries on Romans 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings