Romans 3:19

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Roman congregation while advancing his argument that both Jews and Gentiles stand guilty before God. He speaks at a pivot point in Romans 3 to transition from describing universal sinfulness to explaining the limitation of the Mosaic law.

The words — νόμος (nomos) translates literally as "law," denoting the Mosaic covenant. ὅσα (hosa) means "whatever" or "as much as," indicating that every command and testimony within it applies to those bound by it.

The thread — This function of the law to silence human defense and establish global accountability echoes Galatians 3:10 and Galatians 3:22, where Scripture confines all under sin. It also aligns with Romans 2:12, which establishes that judgment follows the standard by which one is held.

Why it lands — The text demands the reader abandon self-justification and accept universal guilt before God. It requires a shift from relying on legal performance to recognizing the need for divine provision.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Galatians 3:10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
Romans 2:12 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.
Romans 3:9 What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.
Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Ezekiel 16:63 so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your disgrace, declares the Lord GOD.”
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
1 Corinthians 1:29 so that no one may boast in His presence.
Job 9:2 “Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God?
Psalms 107:42 The upright see and rejoice, and all iniquity shuts its mouth.