Aj – The Universal Need of Mankind 1:18 to 3:20

The Universal Need of Mankind
1:18 to 3:20

The first step in the revelation of the righteousness that God provides for people by trust is to set forth their need for it because they are under God’s judgment. The human race stands condemned before God and is helpless and hopeless apart from God’s grace. Paul discusses this need for a Messiah in three different groups of people: the pagan Gentile (Ak), the “good” person (Ao), and the religious Jew (Ar). Before we can appreciate our need for justification, we need to understand our position as sinners. Unless we understand that we are sinners in His sight, we will never come to Him for salvation. Paul sums up this main point in 3:23, “Since all have sinned and come short of earning God’s praise.”