Salvation by Faith Alone: The Book of Romans

The Human Condition

Lesson #3 for October 21, 2017

Scriptures: [Romans 1:16-17,22-32; 2:1-10,17-23; 3:1-2,10-18,23][1].

1.    The focus of this lesson is on the sinfulness of human beings as presented in Romans 1:13-23[2]. Two main types of sinners are described and discussed. The Gentiles, or pagans, had done almost everything they could to exclude God from their lives. The results as presented in Romans 1:18-32[3] are almost unspeakable-seemingly the worst list of sins in the entire Bible.

2.    The second group are former-Jews who are described as those who claimed to be righteous and, as a result, condemned the first group which they saw as terrible sinners. Because of the judgmental attitude of the former-Jews as described in Romans 2[4], God regarded them as being even more sinful than the Gentiles or pagans! So, are we more like the pagans or the Jews?

3.    The Scriptures have always described the human condition as sinful. (Genesis 6:5-7; 1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Psalm 5:9; 10:7; 14:1-3; 36:1; 53:1-3; Isaiah 59:2,7-8; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-23; 1 John 1:8,10)[5]

The expression “all are under sin” must be taken in a spiritual sense; that is to say, not as men appear in their own eyes or in those of others, but as they stand before God. They are all under sin, those who are manifest transgressors in the eyes of men, as well as those who appear righteous in their own sight and before others. Those who perform outwardly good works do them from fear of punishment or love of gain and glory, or otherwise from pleasure in a certain object, but not from a willing and ready mind. In this way man exercises himself continually in good works outwardly, but inwardly he is totally immersed in sinful desires and evil lusts, which are opposed to good works.—Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans* 69.

4.    Ellen G. White described this condition as follows:

Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate the debt of his transgression. This is a fatal deception. If you would understand it, you must cease haggling over your pet ideas, and with humble hearts survey the atonement.

This matter is so dimly comprehended that thousands upon thousands claiming to be sons of God are children of the wicked one, because they will depend on their own works. God always demanded good works, the law demands it, but because man placed himself in sin where his good works were valueless,

Jesus’ righteousness alone can avail. Christ is able to save to the uttermost because He ever liveth to make intercession for us. [Romans 8:34]—Ellen G. White comments, The SDA Bible Commentary,* vol. 6, 1071.4-5; 1SM* 343.3. Compare OHC* 122.2. [Bold type and content in brackets are added.]

5.    But, God has not left us in a hopeless condition. After 15 verses of introduction in Romans 1, Paul went immediately to his main subject-the gospel.

Romans 1:16-17:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”—The Revised Standard Version.* (1971). (Romans 1:16-17). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

6.    Are we-like Paul-proud of the gospel? Or, are we-like Jonah-embarrassed by it? (See Jonah 4.)

7.    Few verses have resulted in more variations of opinion in translation than have these verses. Three key words are very important in our understanding of this passage.

1)    Gospel. The word gospel is a translation of the Greek word euangellion which means good news. If something is not good news, it cannot be described as gospel. We are all inherently hopelessly sinners; so, the “good news” cannot be primarily about us!

2)    Righteousness. Since man is described as wholly sinful, he has no righteousness of his own. Thus, we are left with two other possibilities:

a)    This righteousness is a righteousness from God which is legally transferred to our account through a process called justification. This was the view of Martin Luther. Or,

b)    It is God’s own righteousness; and that is the clear meaning of the simple reading of Romans 1:16-17. But, who would dare to question God’s righteousness? Satan did! In heaven! Martin Luther did not understand the implications of that.

3)    Faith. The Greek word pistis is variously translated in the New Testament as faith, belief, confidence, or trust. What does God need to do to restore a trusting relationship with His children? Can God be trusted? How can we be sure? Taste and see!

8.    But, very few of God’s children have comprehended this “great controversy” over God’s character and government. Martin Luther, reading Romans 1:16-17, said:

This righteousness, however, is not that according to which God Himself is righteous as God, but that by which we are justified by Him through faith and the Gospel. It is called the righteousness of God in contradistinction to man’s righteousness which comes from works.—Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans* 41.

Does man have any righteousness of his own?

9.    So, why do some of us think this verse should read just as it says simply-that “God’s righteousness needs to be revealed”? When and where did the sin problem arise? If you turn first to Genesis 3 describing Adam and Eve’s transgression in the garden, then it seems that the sin problem is one that primarily affects human beings, and the solution will be God’s way of setting us right again.

10.    By contrast, if you take all of Scripture and begin with the earliest historical event mentioned in Scripture, (Revelation 12:7-12[6]) you will recognize that sin began in heaven in the throne room of God before human beings had been created. Lucifer, the highest created being, became jealous of God’s power and creative ability and, thus, started a rebellion against God, hoping to force God to share those powers with Lucifer and the other angels. He wanted to rise to be equal to, or even superior to, God Himself! (Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28)[7] War broke out in heaven, (Revelation 12:7)[8] and Satan and those who chose to join with him were cast down to this earth. Thus, sin began when Satan accused God of not being fair, of being untrustworthy, and of selfishly not being willing to share His powers. God has always taken the loving, unselfish approach toward His children. He has been willing to share as much as He can of Himself. Lucifer/Satan took the selfish approach, trying to demand a higher position for himself. Thus, the first sin began when questions and accusations were made against God and the way He runs His universe.

11.    Down through the centuries, Satan has added to his accusations against God. He first told Adam and Eve that God had lied to them about death being the result of sin and, further, that God was withholding important information from them. (Genesis 3:1-5)[9] He wanted Adam and Eve to join him in making accusations against God. Over time, Satan has accused God of being arbitrary, exacting, vengeful, unforgiving, and severe. Just to mention a couple examples, Satan has claimed that God is just waiting to destroy His children if they have even one unconfessed sin. He has claimed that God is responsible for an ever-burning hell. In actual fact, these characteristics are descriptive of Satan himself; but, he accuses God of being like that. If God were, in fact, like that, would you want to live with Him forever? Do you believe God? Or, do you believe Satan?

12.    So, what did Paul think was the essence of the gospel? Read Romans 1:18[10]. If the essence of the gospel is how God saves you and me, why did Paul turn immediately to discussing God’s wrath? Is God’s wrath the first thing you think of when someone mentions the gospel-the “good news”? If the gospel is primarily about how God saves you and me, then God’s wrath is a somewhat peripheral issue. However, if the gospel is about the righteousness of God and whether or not God can be trusted, then the truth about God’s wrath is actually core to our understanding.

13.    And notice what sin it is that stirs up God’s wrath! It is not breaking one of the Ten Commandments. It is not murder or rape. Sin is suppressing or twisting the truth about God and, thus, preventing it from being known! That is exactly what Satan did in heaven. Do we ever misrepresent God to our children? Our colleagues? Or, our friends?

14.    The Bible Study Guide, focusing on the sinfulness of human beings, completely skips over this description of God’s wrath. However, this is one of the most important points found in Romans 1. So, what is God’s wrath? What does God do to His enemies? If Satan is correct in his accusations against God, then God’s wrath would be revealed by His torturing His enemies in everlasting flames. If God were like Satan has claimed He is, would Satan have dared to have rebelled? But, Romans 1:24,26,28[11] say that God’s wrath is simply His handing over sinners to reap the natural consequences of their own destructive behavior. This idea is not new in Romans 1! It is all through the Old Testament. (See Judges 2 & 3; Hosea 11 and many other places.) Paul showed that he understood this clearly by quoting six passages from the Old Testament. See above.

15.    So, what is it that God wants from us? Romans 2:4 says that God has shown His goodness and kindness to us to lead us to repentance-that is, to change our minds about Him. He does not want to have to hand us over to the consequences of our own sins. How does God feel about handing over His children to reap the consequences of their sins? Hosea 11:1-8 describe how He weeps when He must do that and how He did that to Sodom and Gomorrah!

16.    After pointing out the terrible sinfulness of the Gentile pagans and also the terrible sinfulness of the judgmental Jews, Paul proceeded to Romans 3.

17.    Read Romans 3:1-4.

Romans 3:1-4:1Have the Jews then any advantage over the Gentiles? Or is there any value in being circumcised? 2Much, indeed, in every way! In the first place, God trusted his message to the Jews. 3But what if some of them were not faithful?

Does this mean that God will not be faithful? Certainly not! God must be true, even though every human being is a liar. As the scripture says,

“You must be shown to be right when you speak; you must win your case when you are being tried.”—American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed., Romans 3:1-4). New York: American Bible Society.

18.    If the gospel is only about how God saves you and me, these verses are puzzling. However, if, as we have suggested, sin began in the courts of heaven with accusations against God and questions about His trustworthiness, then there is every reason in the world to say that God must win His case in court-the opinions of the entire universe.

19.    But, few Christians seem to be concerned at all about God’s reputation! Human beings have become so egocentric and selfish that all we can think about is what will happen to us. We do not want to admit our sinfulness. We want to earn our way to heaven. Those who take the larger, broader, deeper, wider approach to understanding the great controversy between God and Satan over the character and government of God recognize that if God cannot be trusted, then salvation would be meaningless! So, the first issue that must be resolved is whether or not God can be trusted.

20.    Let us make no mistake. We are all sinners and desperately in need of God’s healing salvation. See Romans 3:9-18,23[12]. It is very significant to notice that Paul was not just making all of this up; he was quoting from the Old Testament! See [Psalms 14:1-3; 36:1; 53:1-3; 5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Isaiah 59:7-8][13]. All of these verses are quoted from the Greek LXX [Septuagint] translation which varies in some cases from the Hebrew.

21.    Have you taken a good look at yourself recently? Is there anything in your life about which you could boast before Jesus or the Father? See Jeremiah 9:23-24[14]. The good news is always about God.

22.    Early in the 20th century, it was commonly thought that man was improving and that it was just a matter of time until we would be living in a perfect world! But, the 20th century turned out to be the most violent and wicked century in history! Do Paul’s comments in Romans 1:18-32[15] apply to our world today?

23.    We may not be as evil as we believe those pagans described in Romans 1 used to be; but, how about his comments about the former-Jewish believers recorded in Romans 2:1-3,17-24? Compare the words of Jesus Himself recorded in [Matthew 7:3-5 and Luke 6:41-42][16]. Might those words apply to us as Seventh-day Adventists?

After the Apostle has shown that all heathen are sinners, he now, in a special and most emphatic way, shows that also the Jews live in sin, above all because they obey the Law only outwardly, that is, according to the letter and not according to the spirit.—Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans* 61.

24.    Romans 2:4[17] tells us that God’s goodness is supposed to lead us to repentance. How does that work? God will never force us to repent.

25.    Romans 2:5-11[18] goes on to show that good works should be the result of our salvation, never the cause or source of our salvation.

A terrible picture of the condition of the world has been presented before me. Immorality abounds everywhere. Licentiousness is the special sin of this age.

Never did vice lift its deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue and true goodness are nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence. The iniquity which abounds is not merely confined to the unbeliever and the scoffer. Would that this were the case, but it is not. Many men and women who profess the religion of Christ are guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for His appearing are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be impure and their imaginations corrupt. It is as impossible to cause their minds to dwell upon pure and holy things as it would be to turn the course of Niagara and send its waters pouring up the falls. —Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church,* vol. 2, 346.2.

26.    Another issue in understanding the book of Romans is the use of long Latin terms for the various processes involved. What is the correct meaning ofjustification? Sanctification? Even salvation? Justification was originally a Latin word derived from the Greek word dikaioo. The basic meaning of dikaioo is “to set right.” However, modern theologians have twisted this and turned it rather into a statement “to declare righteous or legally right” even though no actual change has taken place in the person. Sanctification comes from a Greek word hagioo which means literally “to make holy” or “to set apart for holy purposes.” The whole process of how God saves human beings is summed up by the word salvation which again is a Latin word which means “to heal” or “to save” someone. It comes from the Greek word sozo also meaning “to heal” or “to save.” To avoid these long words, see the Good News Bible.

27.    So, once again we see the dilemma showing up. What is necessary for God to do to save human beings? Is it a legal process whereby He corrects our legal records in heaven-perhaps even erasing the evidence against us? Does the blood of Christ cover our sins in some legal way? All of that could take place without any real change happening in us. Or, by contrast, is there a process of healing whereby we are actually changed? If we are “truly saved” in the original sense of the word, we must be “fully healed.” What would it take for us to be healed? Don’t we need to understand the truth about God and His character? If we understood that truth, would it help us to take a different attitude toward Him? If trust could be restored between God and His children and if it was safe for Him to trust us and if we could learn to trust Him once again, would that solve the sin problem?

28.    Is God concerned primarily about clearing up our records-about forgiving us-or about healing and restoring us and making us safe to live in His kingdom and in His glorious presence?

29.    Do we have any evidence that the life and death of Jesus was necessary not only to save and heal us but also to answer questions even in the minds of the onlooking universe?

1 Corinthians 4:9: For it seems to me that God has given the very last place to us apostles, like people condemned to die in public as a spectacle for the whole world of angels and of humanity.—The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation.*

Ephesians 1:7-10: 7For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, 8which he gave to us in such large measure!

In all his wisdom and insight 9God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ.

10This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.—Ibid.*

Ephesians 3:9b-10: 9bGod, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, 10in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.—Ibid.*

Colossians 1:20: Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son’s blood [His sacrificial death] on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.—Ibid.*

1 Peter 1:12: God revealed to these prophets that their work was not for their own benefit, but for yours, as they spoke about those things which you have now heard from the messengers who announced the Good News by the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things which even the angels would like to understand.—Ibid.* [Bold type and content in brackets are added.]

Ellen White put it this way:

But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe. To this result of His great sacrifice-its influence upon the intelligences of other worlds, as well as upon man-the Saviour looked forward when just before His crucifixion He said: “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto Me.” John 12:31,32. The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin. Patriarchs and Prophets* 68,69 (1890); Reflecting Christ* 60 (1985).

30. In our study of Romans, we will attempt to look beyond our human dilemma to the broader higher, deeper, universe-wide controversy that has involved all of the intelligent beings in God’s universe. By doing this, we can read the book of Romans just as it was intended to be read-in its simplest, straightforward meaning-and avoid stretching and straining the translation to make it fit what we want it to say. It will be an exciting journey.

© 2017, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version.    Info@theox.org

1-Rom 1:16-17 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (17) For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Rom 1:22-32 NIV Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools (23) and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (24) Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. (25) They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. (26) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. (27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. (28) Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. (29) They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, (30) slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; (31) they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. (32) Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Rom 2:1-10 NIV You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. (2) Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. (3) So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? (4) Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (5) But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. (6) God "will repay each person according to what they have done." (7) To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (8) But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (9) There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; (10) but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Rom 2:17-23 NIV Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; (18) if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; (19) if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, (20) an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- (21) you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? (22) You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? (23) You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

Rom 3:1-2 NIV What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? (2) Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Rom 3:10-18 NIV As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; (11) there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. (12) All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (13) "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." (14) "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." (15) "Their feet are swift to shed blood; (16) ruin and misery mark their ways, (17) and the way of peace they do not know." (18) "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

2-Rom 1:13-23 NIV I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. (14) I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. (15) That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. (16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (17) For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." (18) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, (19) since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (20) For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (21) For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools (23) and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

3-Rom 1:18-32 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, (19) since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (20) For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (21) For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools (23) and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (24) Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. (25) They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. (26) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. (27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. (28) Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. (29) They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, (30) slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; (31) they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. (32) Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

4-Rom 2:1-29 NIV You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. (2) Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. (3) So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? (4) Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (5) But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. (6) God "will repay each person according to what they have done." (7) To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (8) But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (9) There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; (10) but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (11) For God does not show favoritism. (12) All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. (13) For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (14) (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. (15) They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) (16) This will take place on the day when God judges people's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. (17) Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; (18) if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; (19) if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, (20) an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- (21) you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? (22) You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? (23) You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? (24) As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (25) Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. (26) So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? (27) The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. (28) A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. (29) No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God.

5-Gen 6:5-7 NIV The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. (6) The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. (7) So the LORD said, "I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created--and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground--for I regret that I have made them."

Gen 1:1-31 NIV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (2) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (3) And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. (4) God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. (5) God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day. (6) And God said, "Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water." (7) So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. (8) God called the vault "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day. (9) And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. (10) God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. (11) Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. (12) The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. (13) And there was evening, and there was morning--the third day. (14) And God said, "Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, (15) and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. (16) God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. (17) God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, (18) to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. (19) And there was evening, and there was morning--the fourth day. (20) And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky." (21) So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (22) God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." (23) And there was evening, and there was morning--the fifth day. (24) And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. (25) God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. (26) Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (27) So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (28) God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (29) Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. (30) And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. (31) God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

2Ch 6:36 NIV "When they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near;

Psa 5:9 NIV Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.

Psa 10:7 NIV His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

Psa 14:1-3 NIV For the director of music. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (2) The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. (3) All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Psa 36:1 NIV For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Psa 53:1-3 NIV For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. (2) God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. (3) Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Isa 59:2 NIV But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Isa 59:7-8 NIV Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. (8) The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.

Rom 3:10-23 NIV As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; (11) there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. (12) All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (13) "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." (14) "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." (15) "Their feet are swift to shed blood; (16) ruin and misery mark their ways, (17) and the way of peace they do not know." (18) "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (19) 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. (20) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. (21) But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (22) This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1Jn 1:8 NIV If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

1Jn 1:10 NIV If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

6-Rev 12:7-12 NIV Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. (8) But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. (9) The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (10) Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. (11) They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (12) Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."

7-Isa 14:1-32 NIV The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob. (2) Nations will take them and bring them to their own place. And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the LORD's land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors. (3) On the day the LORD gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you, (4) you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended! (5) The LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers, (6) which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows, and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression. (7) All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing. (8) Even the junipers and the cedars of Lebanon gloat over you and say, "Now that you have been laid low, no one comes to cut us down." (9) The realm of the dead below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you-- all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones-- all those who were kings over the nations. (10) They will all respond, they will say to you, "You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us." (11) All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. (12) How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! (13) You said in your heart, "I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. (14) I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." (15) But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. (16) Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, (17) the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?" (18) All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb. (19) But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot, (20) you will not join them in burial, for you have destroyed your land and killed your people. Let the offspring of the wicked never be mentioned again. (21) Prepare a place to slaughter his children for the sins of their ancestors; they are not to rise to inherit the land and cover the earth with their cities. (22) "I will rise up against them," declares the LORD Almighty. "I will wipe out Babylon's name and survivors, her offspring and descendants," declares the LORD. (23) "I will turn her into a place for owls and into swampland; I will sweep her with the broom of destruction," declares the LORD Almighty. (24) The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen. (25) I will crush the Assyrian in my land; on my mountains I will trample him down. His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders." (26) This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. (27) For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? (28) This prophecy came in the year King Ahaz died: (29) Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken; from the root of that snake will spring up a viper, its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent. (30) The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety. But your root I will destroy by famine; it will slay your survivors. (31) Wail, you gate! Howl, you city! Melt away, all you Philistines! A cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there is not a straggler in its ranks. (32) What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? "The LORD has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge."

Eze 28:1-26 NIV The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. (3) Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? (4) By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. (5) By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. (6) "'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, (7) I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. (8) They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas. (9) Will you then say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a mortal, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you. (10) You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.'" (11) The word of the LORD came to me: (12) "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (13) You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. (14) You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. (15) You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. (16) Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. (17) Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. (18) By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. (19) All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.'" (20) The word of the LORD came to me: (21) "Son of man, set your face against Sidon; prophesy against her (22) and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'I am against you, Sidon, and among you I will display my glory. You will know that I am the LORD, when I inflict punishment on you and within you am proved to be holy. (23) I will send a plague upon you and make blood flow in your streets. The slain will fall within you, with the sword against you on every side. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (24) "'No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. (25) "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. (26) They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.'"

8-Rev 12:7 NIV Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

9-Gen 3:1-5 NIV Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" (2) The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, (3) but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" (4) "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. (5) "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

10-Rom 1:18 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

11-Rom 1:24 NIV Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

Rom 1:26 NIV Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.

Rom 1:28 NIV Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

12-Rom 3:9-18 NIV What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. (10) As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; (11) there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. (12) All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (13) "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." (14) "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." (15) "Their feet are swift to shed blood; (16) ruin and misery mark their ways, (17) and the way of peace they do not know." (18) "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Rom 3:23 NIV for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

13-Psa 14:1-3 NIV For the director of music. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (2) The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. (3) All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Psa 36:1 NIV For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Psa 53:1-3 NIV For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. (2) God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. (3) Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Psa 5:9 NIV Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.

Psa 140:3 NIV They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.

Psa 10:7 NIV His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

Isa 59:7-8 NIV Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. (8) The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.

14-Jer 9:23-24 NIV This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, (24) but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

15-Rom 1:18-32 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, (19) since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (20) For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (21) For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools (23) and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (24) Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. (25) They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. (26) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. (27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. (28) Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. (29) They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, (30) slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; (31) they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. (32) Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

16-Mat 7:3-5 NIV "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (4) How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? (5) You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Luk 6:41-42 NIV "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (42) How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

17-Rom 2:4 NIV Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

18-Rom 2:5-11 NIV But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. (6) God "will repay each person according to what they have done." (7) To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (8) But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (9) There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; (10) but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (11) For God does not show favoritism.

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