Rom 3:19-20 | TNotes | STEP | 3:19 Paul speaks of the entire Old Testament as the law (see also 1 Cor 9:8 , 9 ; 14:21 , 34 ; Gal 4:21 ). • Those to whom it was given (literally those in the law ) were the Jews, who were given the Scriptures. • How can Paul conclude that the entire world is guilty before God on the basis of evidence from the Old Testament that Jews are sinful? He argues from the greater to the lesser, a standard Jewish rhetorical technique: If the law shows that the Jews, God’s own people, are guilty, then how much more are the Gentiles, who have not had the benefit of God’s instruction, also guilty.

b1 Cor 9:8►

fGal 4:21►

‏ Romans 3:19-20

3:19 ^a Paul speaks of the entire Old Testament as the law (see also 1 Cor 9:8 ^b, 9 ^c; 14:21 ^d, 34 ^e; Gal 4:21 ^f).

• Those to whom it was given (literally those in the law) were the Jews, who were given the Scriptures.

• How can Paul conclude that the entire world is guilty before God on the basis of evidence from the Old Testament that Jews are sinful? He argues from the greater to the lesser, a standard Jewish rhetorical technique: If the law shows that the Jews, God’s own people, are guilty, then how much more are the Gentiles, who have not had the benefit of God’s instruction, also guilty.
3:20 ^g By doing what the law commands refers to obeying the requirements of the law of Moses. While this phrase refers to Jews, the principle extends to all people. If Jews cannot be put in right relationship with God by obeying the law God gave them, certainly other people cannot establish such a relationship through good deeds.