Romans 3:12 – “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Extended Explanation

Paul continues his argument about the universal sinfulness of humanity. This verse builds on the previous ones, where he said that no one is righteous (Romans 3:10) and that no one seeks God (Romans 3:11). Now, he declares that “all have turned away”-meaning, every person has chosen to go their own way rather than follow God.

The phrase “they have together become worthless” might sound harsh, but Paul is not saying that people have no value. Rather, he is saying that, in terms of spiritual goodness and usefulness to God, sin has made people morally corrupt and unable to produce real righteousness on their own.

The final part of the verse, “there is no one who does good, not even one,” leaves no exceptions. Even the best, kindest, and most religious person still falls short of God’s perfect standard. Paul is making it clear: no one can claim to be good enough on their own.

Historical Context

Paul is quoting from Psalm 14:3 and Psalm 53:3, which describe humanity’s rebellion against God. These passages were originally written about the wickedness of people in Israel’s history, but Paul applies them to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike.

In Jewish tradition, there was often a distinction between “righteous” Jews who followed the Law and “sinful” Gentiles who did not. Some Jews may have believed they were more righteous simply because they had God’s Law. But Paul is tearing down that false confidence-even those who have God’s Law have turned away from Him.

For the Gentiles, Paul’s words would also have challenged their thinking. Many of them had grown up in cultures filled with idol worship, philosophy, and self-made morality. Paul is making it clear that no amount of human wisdom or effort can make someone truly good in God’s eyes.

This verse shows that sin is not just an occasional mistake-it is a deep-rooted problem in every human heart.

Theological Implications

1. Sin is a Universal Problem – No one is exempt. Every person has turned away from God.
2. People Are Spiritually Corrupt – Sin affects every part of a person’s life-actions, thoughts, and desires.
3. Good Deeds Are Not Enough – Even the best efforts of humanity fall short of God’s perfect standard. True goodness comes from God, not from ourselves.
4. Without God, People Are Spiritually Useless – The phrase “become worthless” means that, apart from God, people cannot accomplish anything truly good in His sight.
5. All People Need Salvation – Since no one does good on their own, everyone needs Jesus to be saved and made righteous.

Paul is building the case that salvation must come by grace through faith-because no one can earn it through their own goodness.

Literary Analysis

Paul is using repetition for emphasis. “All have turned away,” “they have together become worthless,” and “there is no one who does good, not even one” all point to the same truth: no one is righteous by their own efforts.

The phrase “turned away” suggests rebellion-a deliberate choice to move away from God’s path. This reminds us of Isaiah 53:6: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.”

The word “worthless” is also significant. It refers to something that has lost its intended purpose. Humanity was created to glorify God, but sin has corrupted that purpose, making people incapable of pleasing Him on their own.

Biblical Cross-References

• Psalm 14:3 – “All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” This is the verse Paul is quoting.
• Isaiah 64:6 – “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” Even our best deeds are stained by sin.
• Romans 8:8 – “Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” Sin separates us from God’s righteousness.
• Ecclesiastes 7:20 – “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.” This confirms Paul’s teaching.
• Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Our salvation is based on God’s mercy, not our good works.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges the common idea that people are basically good. Many people today believe that as long as they are kind, generous, or religious, they are good enough for heaven. But Paul says that without God, no one does good.

For Christians, this verse serves as a reminder:

1. Stay humble. We are not saved because we are better than others-we were just as lost, but God’s grace rescued us.
2. Rely on God, not self-effort. Our good deeds cannot make us right with God. Only through Jesus can we be truly righteous.
3. See the world clearly. Sin is real, and it affects everyone. Instead of being surprised by human corruption, we should recognize the deep need for Christ.

This verse also reminds us why we need to share the gospel. If no one does good on their own, then every person needs Jesus.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Some might read this verse and think it makes God sound harsh. But in reality, it shows His deep love.

• God loves us enough to tell us the truth. He does not leave us in self-deception-He shows us our need for Him.
• God does not abandon us. Even though all have turned away, He still offers salvation.
• God provides the solution. Instead of leaving us in our worthless state, He gives us new life through Jesus.

Love does not ignore sin-it confronts it and provides a way to be saved from it. That is exactly what God has done.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the answer to the problem Paul describes in this verse.

• He lived the righteous life we could not. 1 Peter 2:22 – “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
• He came to save those who turned away. Luke 19:10 – “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
• He makes us righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
• He restores our purpose. Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

Without Jesus, we are lost. But through Him, we are made new and given a purpose.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse challenge the idea that people are “basically good”?
2. Why is it important to recognize that we have all turned away from God?
3. How does this verse change the way you think about salvation?
4. How can we lovingly explain to others that no one is good enough on their own?
5. How does Jesus provide the righteousness that we lack?

This verse is a powerful reminder that we cannot save ourselves. But the good news is that God has made a way through Jesus. Instead of relying on our own goodness, we must place our trust in Him.