Romans 3:18
Verse
Context
Sermons
Zac Poonen
A.W. Tozer
Kevin BruceZac Poonen
Derek Melton
John FranklinSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
There is no fear of God before their eyes - This completes their bad character; they are downright atheists, at least practically such. They fear not God's judgments, although his eye is upon them in their evil ways. There is not one article of what is charged against the Jews and Gentiles here that may not be found justified by the histories of both, in the most ample manner. And what was true of them in those primitive times is true of them still. With very little variation, these are the evils in which the vast mass of mankind delight and live. Look especially at men in a state of warfare; look at the nations of Europe, who enjoy most of the light of God; see what has taken place among them from 1792 to 1814; see what destruction of millions, and what misery of hundreds of millions, have been the consequence of Satanic excitement in fallen, ferocious passions! O Sin, what hast thou done! How many myriads of souls hast thou hurried, unprepared, into the eternal world! Who, among men or angels, can estimate the greatness of this calamity! this butchery of souls! What widows, what orphans, are left to deplore their sacrificed husbands and parents, and their own consequent wretchedness! And whence sprang all this? From that, whence come all wars and fightings; the evil desires of men; the lust of dominion; the insatiable thirst for money; and the desire to be sole and independent. This is the sin that ruined our first parents, expelled them from paradise, and which has descended to all their posterity; and proves fully, incontestably proves, that we are their legitimate offspring; the fallen progeny of fallen parents; children in whose ways are destruction and misery; in whose heart there is no faith; and before whose eyes there is nothing of the fear of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
There is no fear of God before their eyes-- (Psa 36:1): that is, "Did the eyes but 'see Him who is invisible' (Heb 11:27), a reverential awe of Him with whom we have to do would chasten every joy and lift the soul out of its deepest depressions; but to all this the natural man is a stranger." How graphic is this picture of human depravity, finding its way through each several organ of the body into the life (Rom 3:13-17): but how small a part of the "desperate wickedness" that is within (Jer 17:9) "proceedeth out of the heart of man!" (Mar 7:21-23; Psa 19:12).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ,.... A further account is given of this righteousness: why it is called "the righteousness of God", and in what sense revealed and manifested; see Gill on Rom 1:17; Here it is said to be "by faith of Jesus Christ"; not by that faith which Christ himself had as man, but by that faith, of which he the author and object: the Alexandrian copy reads, "by faith in Jesus Christ"; and not by that as the cause of justification; for faith is neither the efficient, nor the moving, nor meritorious cause of it; no, nor the instrumental cause of it on the part of God or Christ: nor is faith the matter of a justifying righteousness; for faith is a part of sanctification, is itself imperfect, is a man's own, as it is implanted in him, and exercised by him; is here and elsewhere distinguished from righteousness; something else, and not that, as the obedience and blood of Christ, are said to be what men are made righteous and justified by: but faith is a means of apprehending and receiving righteousness; it views the excellency of Christ's righteousness; it owns the sufficiency of it; the soul by it renounces its own righteousness, submits to Christ's, rejoices in it, and gives him the glory of it: now this is by, or through faith, unto all, and upon all: not all men, for all have not faith, nor are all justified and saved: but all that believe; which must be understood, not of believing any thing, nor of any sort of believing; but of such, who truly and with the heart believe in Christ for salvation; and who are here opposed to the wise philosophers among the Gentiles, had to all self-righteous persons among the Jews. Though this character does not design any cause or condition of justification, but is only descriptive of the persons, who are declaratively interested in a justifying righteousness, which is said to be "unto", and "upon them"; that is, it is appointed, provided, and wrought out for them, and directed and applied unto them, and put upon them as a garment, and that upon all of them: for there is no difference; of nation, age, or sex, or of state and condition; no respect is had to persons or works; nor is there any difference with respect to weak or strong believers; the righteousness is equally applied to one as to another, and one is as much justified by it in the sight of God as another.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:18 They have no . . . : This concluding quotation from Ps 36:1 neatly ties up the whole series (Rom 3:10-18) by referring to the same Greek words that introduced the first quotation (ouk estin, translated in 3:10, “No one is”).
Romans 3:18
There Is No One Righteous
17and the way of peace they have not known.” 18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Making Whole Hearted Disciples
By Zac Poonen3.8K1:01:14DiscipleshipLUK 14:25ROM 3:18GAL 4:19In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for radical repentance and a reverence for God. He challenges the audience to examine their own lives and confess if they have enjoyed powerful messages but then engaged in sinful behavior, such as watching explicit scenes in movies. The preacher highlights the importance of turning away from sin and having a genuine desire to follow Jesus. He also discusses the role of spiritual leaders in not only evangelizing but also nurturing and discipling believers, comparing it to a mother giving birth and caring for her children.
Five Rules for Christian Living - Part 2
By A.W. Tozer3.2K30:35Christian LivingPSA 111:10PRO 1:7PRO 9:10MAT 6:33ROM 3:18HEB 12:28REV 1:17In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a holy fear and reverence for God. He explains that this kind of fear cannot be induced by external factors like fancy clothing, music, or rituals. Instead, it is a deep awe and respect that comes from recognizing God's power and glory. The preacher also discusses the concept of holy living and the rules that Christians have historically followed to guide their behavior. He highlights the need to honor all of God's creation and to recognize the divine image in every person.
(Pure Testimony) Making Whole-Hearted Disciples
By Zac Poonen1.8K1:00:39PurityLUK 14:25ROM 3:18GAL 4:19In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of radical repentance and turning away from sinful behaviors. He warns against enjoying powerful messages and then indulging in immoral content, comparing it to drinking milk with a little bit of poison. The preacher calls for a younger generation to take up the torch and build a church that truly glorifies God, rather than just going through the motions of attending church. He also highlights the need for genuine transformation and character development, rather than simply participating in religious activities. The sermon references Bible verses such as Luke 14 and Galatians 4 to support these teachings.
Where Is the Fear of God
By Kevin Bruce1.7K58:00Fear Of GodPSA 89:7JER 2:19ROM 3:18In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Judges and how each generation became progressively worse in their behavior. Despite God's grace and blessings, the people abused them because they lacked the fear of God. The speaker highlights the tragic verse in Judges that states, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This philosophy of doing whatever makes oneself happy is prevalent in today's world and is a form of humanism. The speaker emphasizes the need for the people of God to return to the fear of God and rebuild the altar before they can experience true happiness and fulfillment.
Taking Sin Seriously
By Zac Poonen6431:08:28GEN 4:6LEV 19:32MAT 12:34MAT 12:37ROM 3:182CO 4:4PHP 3:17JAS 1:261PE 2:17
This sermon emphasizes the importance of following the example of missionaries and early Christians who sacrificed greatly to spread the Gospel. It highlights the need for genuine missionaries who are passionate about reaching the lost for Christ, unlike those who come for short-term trips for personal reasons. The speaker challenges listeners to live a life of purpose and impact, focusing on respecting others, controlling the tongue, and being a light in the world by following the footsteps of Jesus in love and faith.
Do We Fear God?
By Derek Melton0DEU 28:15PSA 111:10PRO 1:24PRO 9:10ISA 66:2JER 25:4LUK 17:28ROM 3:18HEB 12:6Derek Melton delivers a powerful sermon on the lack of fear of God in America, drawing parallels between the days of Lot and the current state of the nation. He highlights the pride, arrogance, and idolatry that have consumed the hearts of Americans, leading them to prioritize financial security and worldly pursuits over reverence for God. Through the lens of biblical warnings and historical judgments, he calls for repentance and a return to the fear of the Lord before more severe consequences befall the nation.
The Root Cause of Americas Moral Collapse
By John Franklin0EXO 20:20NUM 14:182CH 7:14PSA 36:1PRO 8:13PRO 16:6MAL 3:6MAT 5:13ACT 10:34ROM 3:18HEB 4:13REV 19:15John Franklin emphasizes the importance of fearing God in a society plagued by immorality and a lack of accountability. He highlights how the fear of God serves as a deterrent to sin, as seen in various biblical passages, and how a rediscovery of this truth can lead to a moral and spiritual turnaround in the nation. Franklin challenges Christians to evaluate their discipleship and question why so many continue in wickedness despite claiming to follow Christ. He points out the societal consequences of Christians losing their fear of God, leading to a deluge of immorality and a lack of distinction between believers and non-believers.
The Primacy of Self
By A.W. Tozer0PSA 34:11PSA 119:38PRO 1:7PRO 8:13PRO 15:16JON 1:16ACT 5:5ACT 9:31ROM 3:18EPH 6:51TI 5:20REV 18:10In this sermon on Fear, the preacher delves into the various uses of 'phobos' in the Bible, highlighting how it can describe both positive and negative senses of fear. While fear can be associated with terror and dread, it can also convey a sense of reverential awe and respect, especially in the context of God's divine works. The sermon emphasizes the importance of reverential fear of Jehovah, which leads to wisdom, motivates godly behavior, and produces strong confidence, holy conduct, and Christ-honoring obedience.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
There is no fear of God before their eyes - This completes their bad character; they are downright atheists, at least practically such. They fear not God's judgments, although his eye is upon them in their evil ways. There is not one article of what is charged against the Jews and Gentiles here that may not be found justified by the histories of both, in the most ample manner. And what was true of them in those primitive times is true of them still. With very little variation, these are the evils in which the vast mass of mankind delight and live. Look especially at men in a state of warfare; look at the nations of Europe, who enjoy most of the light of God; see what has taken place among them from 1792 to 1814; see what destruction of millions, and what misery of hundreds of millions, have been the consequence of Satanic excitement in fallen, ferocious passions! O Sin, what hast thou done! How many myriads of souls hast thou hurried, unprepared, into the eternal world! Who, among men or angels, can estimate the greatness of this calamity! this butchery of souls! What widows, what orphans, are left to deplore their sacrificed husbands and parents, and their own consequent wretchedness! And whence sprang all this? From that, whence come all wars and fightings; the evil desires of men; the lust of dominion; the insatiable thirst for money; and the desire to be sole and independent. This is the sin that ruined our first parents, expelled them from paradise, and which has descended to all their posterity; and proves fully, incontestably proves, that we are their legitimate offspring; the fallen progeny of fallen parents; children in whose ways are destruction and misery; in whose heart there is no faith; and before whose eyes there is nothing of the fear of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
There is no fear of God before their eyes-- (Psa 36:1): that is, "Did the eyes but 'see Him who is invisible' (Heb 11:27), a reverential awe of Him with whom we have to do would chasten every joy and lift the soul out of its deepest depressions; but to all this the natural man is a stranger." How graphic is this picture of human depravity, finding its way through each several organ of the body into the life (Rom 3:13-17): but how small a part of the "desperate wickedness" that is within (Jer 17:9) "proceedeth out of the heart of man!" (Mar 7:21-23; Psa 19:12).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ,.... A further account is given of this righteousness: why it is called "the righteousness of God", and in what sense revealed and manifested; see Gill on Rom 1:17; Here it is said to be "by faith of Jesus Christ"; not by that faith which Christ himself had as man, but by that faith, of which he the author and object: the Alexandrian copy reads, "by faith in Jesus Christ"; and not by that as the cause of justification; for faith is neither the efficient, nor the moving, nor meritorious cause of it; no, nor the instrumental cause of it on the part of God or Christ: nor is faith the matter of a justifying righteousness; for faith is a part of sanctification, is itself imperfect, is a man's own, as it is implanted in him, and exercised by him; is here and elsewhere distinguished from righteousness; something else, and not that, as the obedience and blood of Christ, are said to be what men are made righteous and justified by: but faith is a means of apprehending and receiving righteousness; it views the excellency of Christ's righteousness; it owns the sufficiency of it; the soul by it renounces its own righteousness, submits to Christ's, rejoices in it, and gives him the glory of it: now this is by, or through faith, unto all, and upon all: not all men, for all have not faith, nor are all justified and saved: but all that believe; which must be understood, not of believing any thing, nor of any sort of believing; but of such, who truly and with the heart believe in Christ for salvation; and who are here opposed to the wise philosophers among the Gentiles, had to all self-righteous persons among the Jews. Though this character does not design any cause or condition of justification, but is only descriptive of the persons, who are declaratively interested in a justifying righteousness, which is said to be "unto", and "upon them"; that is, it is appointed, provided, and wrought out for them, and directed and applied unto them, and put upon them as a garment, and that upon all of them: for there is no difference; of nation, age, or sex, or of state and condition; no respect is had to persons or works; nor is there any difference with respect to weak or strong believers; the righteousness is equally applied to one as to another, and one is as much justified by it in the sight of God as another.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:18 They have no . . . : This concluding quotation from Ps 36:1 neatly ties up the whole series (Rom 3:10-18) by referring to the same Greek words that introduced the first quotation (ouk estin, translated in 3:10, “No one is”).