The Whole World Guilty before God

⁹ What then? Are we any better off?^[a] Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews^(A) and Greeks^(B) are all under sin,^{[b](C) 10} as it is written:

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says,^(J) it speaks to those who are subject to the law,^[i](K) so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.^{[j](L) 20} For no one will be justified^[k] in his sight by the works of the law,^(M) because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.^(N)

The Righteousness of God through Faith

²¹ But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed,^(O) attested by the Law and the Prophets.^{[l](P) 22} The righteousness of God is through faith^(Q) in Jesus Christ^[m](R) to all who believe,^(S) since there is no distinction.^{(T) 23} For all have sinned^(U) and fall short of the^[n] glory of God; ²⁴ they are justified freely by his grace^(V) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.^{(W) 25} God presented him as the mercy seat^[o](X) by his blood,^(Y) through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God^(Z) passed over the sins previously committed.^{(AA) 26} God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

The Problem of Sin in Us

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual,^(A) but I am of the flesh,^[a] sold^(B) as a slave under sin.^{(C) 15} For I do not understand what I am doing,^(D) because I do not practice what I want to do,^(E) but I do what I hate. ¹⁶ Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh.^(F) For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me. ²¹ So I discover this law:^[b](G) When I want to do what is good,^[c] evil is present with me. ²² For in my inner self^[d] I delight in God’s law,^{(H) 23} but I see a different law in the parts of my body,^[e](I) waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?^{(J) 25} Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!^(K) So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin.

¹³ No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire.^{(A) 15} Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.^(B)