Romans 3 · Verse 9

Romans 3:9

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;
Romans 3:9, King James Version

Romans 3:9 in other translations

BSBWhat then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.
WEBWhat then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
ASVWhat then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin;
YLTWhat, then? are we better? not at all! for we did before charge both Jews and Greeks with being all under sin,
DARBYWhat then? are we better? No, in no wise: for we have before charged both Jews and Greeks with being all under sin:
BBEWhat then? are we worse off than they? In no way: because we have before made it clear that Jews as well as Greeks are all under the power of sin;
WebsterWhat 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;

What does Romans 3:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Ro 3:9-20. That the Jew Is Shut Up under Like Condemnation with the Gentile Is Proved by His Own Scripture.

9. are we better than they?--"do we excel them?" No, in no wise--Better off the Jews certainly were, for having the oracles of God to teach them better; but as they were no better, that only aggravated their guilt.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. What then? This is another remark supposed to be made by a Jewish objector. "What follows? or are we to infer that we are better than others?"

Are we better than they? Are we Jews better than the Gentiles? Or rather, have we any preference, or advantage as to character and prospects, over the Gentiles? These questions refer only to the great point in debate, to wit, about justification before God. The apostle had admitted (Rom 3:2) that the Jews had important advantages in some respects, but he now affirms that those advantages did not make a difference between them and the Gentiles about justification.

No, in no wise. Not at all. That is, the Jews have no preference or advantage over the Gentiles in regard to the subject of justification before God. They have failed to keep the law; they are sinners; and if they are justified, it must be in the same way as the rest of the world.

We have before proved, etc. Ro 1:21-32 2:1-29.

Under sin. Sinners. Under the power and dominion of sin.

(1) "proved" or, "charged"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 Jew. What then? - After all, have not we Jews a better claim to the privileges of the kingdom of God than the Gentiles have? Apostle. No, in no wise - For I have already proved that both Jews and Gentiles are under the guilt of sin; that they are equally unworthy of the blessings of the Messiah's kingdom; and that they must both, equally, owe their salvation to the mere mercy of God. From this, to the end of the 26th verse, the apostle proceeds to prove his assertion, that both Jews and Gentiles were all under sin; and, that he might enforce the conviction upon the heart of the Jew, he quotes his own Scriptures, which he acknowledged had been given by the inspiration of God, and consequently true.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 3:9-18
Here again is shown that all mankind are under the guilt of sin, as a burden; and under the government and dominion of sin, as enslaved to it, to work wickedness. This is made plain by several passages of Scripture from the Old Testament, which describe the corrupt and depraved state of all men, till grace restrain or change them. Great as our advantages are, these texts describe multitudes who call themselves Christians. Their principles and conduct prove that there is no fear of God before their eyes. And where no fear of God is, no good is to be looked for.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Romans 3:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤίTiWhatG5101
οὖν;ounthen?G3767
προεχόμεθα;proechomethaAre we better?G4284
οὐouNotG3756
πάντως·pantōsat all;G3843
προῃτιασάμεθαproētiasamethaWe have already chargedG4256
γὰρgarforG1063
ἸουδαίουςIoudaiousJewsG2453
τεtebothG5037
καὶkaiandG2532
ἝλληναςHellēnasGreeksG1672
πάνταςpantasallG3956
ὑφ᾽huph᾽underG5259
ἁμαρτίανhamartiansinG266
εἶναιeinaito beG1511

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 3:9

  • Galatians 3:22

    But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

  • Romans 6:15

    What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

  • Isaiah 65:5

    Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

  • Romans 11:32

    For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

  • Romans 3:22-23

    Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

  • Romans 3:19

    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.

  • Philippians 1:18

    What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

  • Luke 7:39

    Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:7

    For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

  • Romans 11:7

    What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

  • Romans 3:5

    But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

  • Luke 18:9-14

    And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
what then.
5; 6:15; 11:7; 1Co 10:19; 14:15; Php 1:18
are we.
22,23; Isa 65:5; Lu 7:39; 18:9-14; 1Co 4:7
proved. Gr. charged.
1:28-32; 2:1-16
that they.
Ga 3:10,22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 3:8

    And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

  • Romans 3:9

    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;

  • Romans 3:10

    As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Read all of Romans 3

Romans 3:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Qué pues? ¿Somos mejores que ellos? En ninguna manera: porque ya hemos acusado á Judíos y á Gentiles, que todos están debajo de pecado.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Quoi donc? Sommes-nous plus excellents? Nullement. Car nous avons déjà accusé et Juifs et Grecs d’être tous sous le péché,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Was nun? Haben wir einen Vorzug? Durchaus nicht; denn wir haben sowohl Juden als Griechen zuvor beschuldigt, daß sie alle unter der Sünde seien, wie geschrieben steht:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quid ergo? præcellimus eos? Nequaquam. Causati enim sumus Judæos et Græcos omnes sub peccato esse,