Devine Scripture

Romans 3:18

What does Romans 3:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:18 means

At the root of sinful thought, speech, and action is this: there is no fear of God before their eyes. Reverent awe that bows to God’s holiness and authority is absent, so people live as if God were irrelevant. Without that fear, conscience dulls, self becomes the center, and all else decays. This is not a problem for a few; it is the human condition apart from grace. The verse lays the axe at the root, explaining why sin pervades every area of life. Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord; its absence explains our folly, guilt, and need for a God-given righteousness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

There is no fear of God before their eyes.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

There is no fear of God before their eyes.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

There is no fear of God before their eyes.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

There is no fear of God before their eyes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

There is no fear of God before their eyes.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There is no fear of God before their eyes.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

there is no fear ofGod before their eyes.

Context

This final quotation (verses 10–18) names the root cause: lack of the fear of God. With the inner source of depravity identified, Paul turns in verses 19–20 to the law’s function—to silence every mouth and hold the whole world accountable. The law speaks not to declare us righteous but to reveal our sin and need. Only after that diagnosis does Paul unfold the cure in verses 21–26: God’s righteousness, apart from the law, witnessed by the law and the prophets, and given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. The chapter will then address boasting and the law’s true place (verses 27–31).

v.17And the way of peace have they not known:

v.18This passage

v.19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 23:17

    Let not thy heart envy sinners; Butbe thouin the fear of Jehovah all the day long:

  • Genesis 20:11

    And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

  • Proverbs 16:6

    By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

  • Proverbs 8:13

    The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the perverse mouth, do I hate.

  • Revelation 19:5

    And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, Give praise to our God, all ye his servants, ye that fear him, the small and the great.

  • Luke 23:40

    But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

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