Human Ignorance and Perversity
Romans 3:9-20
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;…


I. THERE IS NONE THAT UNDERSTANDETH.

1. What? Ignorance is not affirmed of many things of more or less importance. A man may be an accomplished scientist, a profound scholar, widely read in general literature, and yet not understand —

(1)  His guilt;

(2)  His duty;

(3)  His responsibility;

(4)  His Saviour;

(5)  His destiny.

2. Why? Because —

(1) He does not want to. Ignorance is fancied bliss. He is not troubled by qualms of conscience, a sense of God's anger, an anticipation of judgment. A practical knowledge of these things would trouble him.

(2) He will not; and that in spite of the witness of both Nature and Revelation. He might understand if he would.

II. THERE IS NONE THAT SEEKETH AFTER GOD. There are many who "seek after" matters infinitely less important — temporal profit, pleasure, etc.

1. The folly of this.

(1)  The sick will not seek after their Physician.

(2)  The ignorant after their Teacher.

(3)  Sinners after their Saviour.

2. The necessity and blessedness of reversing this.

(1)  God must be sought, for men have lost Him.

(2)  When sought, God will be found — and as all that the soul can possibly want.

(J. W. Burn.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: 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;

WEB: What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.




Human Depravity
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