What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Romans 3:9-18
“There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” This passage is often misinterpreted to support the argument against free will and the support of Calvinistic election and individual predestination. This interpretation, as all of Calvinism’s private interpretations, contradicts the Scriptures which affirm Christ’s atonement was made for all men and all are eligible for salvation.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
The only way to interpret verses as these is to recognize the dual nature of Salvation. This is where Calvinism, Universalism, and the like fail.
Salvation consists of the payment for all sin and individual forgiveness of sins. Christ died to pay for the sins of all men, but all men will not accept it; those that do, believe and are accepted of God; “who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe”. The lifeline of salvation was cast to all men whether or not one grabs hold is their free will choice.
How do you interpret Romans 3:12-18 without contradicting any other passage? We take it for what it says, all men in their natural state are led about and guided by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Without any influence from God, this is man’s state. God, however, has not left us to ourselves but communicated and manifested himself to man in many ways and forms.
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Just as a child has to be raised up, disciplined, and corrected, so does man. As with the child, it is an individual’s choice whether to go with the corrections or not. Left to himself, a child will be as described in Romans 3, left to himself without God a man will also.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
It is the Holy Spirit’s ministry to deal with the hearts of men.
John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
This truth to you I would make plain,
All through God’s Word we’re told,
The Holy Spirit calls to man,
Both to the young and old.
‘Tis said He knocks at every heart,
At least one time in life;
And does not promise to return,
Or stay if there is strife.
When knocking at the sinner’s heart,
He pleads with tender voice,
For him to leave the paths of woe
And make God ‘s way his choice.
If you refuse to heed His Call,
He then will take His flight;
And if He fails ne’er to return,
No words can pen your plight.
“Down Memory’s Lane With Father” 1944
Loella Hobson Ft Wayne. IN
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