Paul addresses some foolish arguments about God’s character and mankind’s character in verses 1 thru 8. His main point is that God is true and righteous while every human being is a liar and unrighteous. God’s judgment is just.
Verses 9 thru 20 reveal the truth that all are under the power of sin. Paul quotes at least 8 Old Testament verses to prove and back up his point. No one can and no one will be able to say otherwise before God. Everyone will be held accountable to God, meaning all are guilty (19-20). No one will be declared righteous in God’s judgment by keeping and living by the Law even though the Law came from God with a promise of eternal life.
For the last few days, I have been watching documentaries, speeches, and podcasts concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Jewish community at Qumran that are known as the Essenes. The last time I read books about them was around twenty years ago. The new scroll fragments found earlier this year ignited my new interest. I was happy to hear the latest information and speculations about life in that ancient secluded Jewish religious group.
The Qumran community consisted of mostly men. They formed around 150 BC and continued until 70 AD when Rome destroyed their community and killed their members. The community was formed by people who evacuated the politically corrupt Jerusalem temple priesthood and false religious social politicians. Basically, they were Jewish monks.
What about the Qumran community and people like them that dedicate their lives to God, the pursuit of purity, the search of God’s will, and have a deep desire to live in that will? Are they just as guilty as me? Yes, according to the Old and New Testaments all are unrighteous and guilty before the righteous God.
One thing that amazes me about the Qumran community is that although they knew from Scriptures that the Messiah was coming soon it appears most of them did not recognize nor accept him despite the testimonies of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth (Luke 1), Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38), and John the Baptist (Matt. 3, Mark 1:1-12, Luke 3:1-23, John 1:6, 10-36). Also, none of the 12 apostles appear to have been from the Essenes.
I only see this as further evidence that God is true and we are not unless God makes me true. “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. (10-11)” I am totally at the mercy of God’s grace.