As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who.....

[Dave...]

Romans 3:10-11 As it is written: "There is none righteous (does good), no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.


The immediate context. Vs. 9 "We" Paul is referring to Jews. "Them" is referring to Gentiles. Both Jew and Gentile under the same condition. This is the bigger context also.

Romans 3:10-12, quotes Psalms 14 and Isaiah 53 in general.

Romans 3:13-18 Paul quotes Psalms 14.

Romans 3:23 quotes Isaiah 53:6 and other places Isaiah 53 overall is drawn from by Paul when making his point in Romans.

It's clear that many people 'seek God' who remain lost. It's how honestly one seeks the kingdom of God that separates the ones who find it from the ones who don't. There are many who "seek" to enter and will not be able to.

Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Read Psalm 14 for context to see what Paul was quoting in Romans 3.

Psalm 14:1-7 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the Lord? There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous. You shame the counsel of the poor, But the Lord is his refuge. Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

How does one 'become corrupt' and 'turn aside' who was born that way already? Why does David say "the fool has said in his heart"? Why not 'all men have said in their heart...'? All these conditions and problems are qualified with "workers of iniquity" and basically Gentiles for the most part. This is how the Jews of that time would have understood it. It's not a Jewish problem, it's a Gentile problem.

It's clear that there is a possibility of righteousness within that same context, as God is near, or with them. "For God is with the generation of the righteous." That would be the Jews, how they seen themselves in that passage.

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Interesting that Augustine interpreted " There is none who does good, No, not one" The "not one" as "except One", speaking of Jesus, which really fits the context of justification that Paul was pushing in Romans when he quoted it. Isaiah 53 and the surrounding context of Romans is clearly about that very same thing, Jesus being the justifier because he alone is righteous [by God's standards].

John Owen qualifies vs. 2-3 in chapter 3 with "all fools" from vs. 1. Practical atheists who persecute God.

Good article. Both Augustine and Owens quoted from this source.
Does Psalm 14 Apply to All of Humanity?
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Romans 3:21-24 Since nobody can be justified by the works of the Law, Paul then offers the 'good news' of righteousness by faith for all those who believe.

The context is justification. Man lacks the moral ability to be righteous. To be declared righteous. To be justified by the Law. That's the way Paul was using it. Paul quotes Psalm 14 to show that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin. His main point in saying that was that the Jews and Gentiles alike are in the same spiritual predicament. Paul makes it abundantly clear in Romans 3 and beyond that it's not a Gentile problem, but a "Jew and Gentile" problem.

To sum up Paul's point, vs. 23 of chapter 3 does a nice job of it.

23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Both Jew and Gentile ....) see vs 24-31 and into chapter 4 as the flow continues, using Abraham as an example [Who was imputed with Christ's righteousness by promise].

See how the message is consistent if we understand that what is being emphasized is that man cannot justify himself? Why? Because there is none righteous, none that does good (Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19-John 15:5).

The context is justification and the ability to do good by righteous standards and justify ones self.

So why does Paul add "There is none who seeks after God." to His quote from the OT?

It would seem to be an odd thing to say if we take it at face value since Isaiah said this.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. And other places Psalm 9:10, 22:46, 40:16, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Hosea 10:12, etc.

Paul adds "there is none who seeks after God" in Romans 3 for a reason when quoting Psalms, that reason is up for debate, but taking that statement literally and defining it on an island doesn't fit with the rest of Scripture. Since Psalms 14 and Isaiah 53 lays that definition on the Gentiles (Isaiah 53:4,6.). Paul was making clear that it's just as much a problem for Jews as it is for Gentiles.

Remember that even Peter said to be careful when examining Paul's letters and not to read into them any false ideas.

2 Peter 3:15-16 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.


In short (I know, too late), Paul is not speaking of total depravity as the Calvinist interprets it. He's speaking of the inability for man to be righteous according to the Law. Righteous standards.

This is what Jesus taught when He said from His humanity "Why do you call Me good, God alone is good?". Elsewhere, from His divinity He calls Himself the Good Shepard. He said that without Him we could do nothing [good implied]. From the flesh, we are incapable of doing good by righteous standards, that's the Law. From the Spirit, we can. It's that simple. There are none righteous, no not one. No Spirit yet given until Pentecost. It's not speaking of moral ability to respond to the Gospel, or to even the desire to want to do good, it's speaking of our inability to do good according to the Law from the flesh. It's still true today. We cannot justify ourselves. We cannot produce righteousness from the flesh. 

Righteous standards, not moral ability. 

 Romans 3:10-11 As it is written: "There is none righteous (does good), no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

[Dave...]

God hardens hearts that He claims would otherwise believe. Is this total depravity?

Try to keep an open mind. Try to be good Bereans, if you can. Speak hypothetically, if you need to.

Why does Satan, or the god of this age need to blind people who, according to reformed theology, already lack the capacity or desire to understand? Everybody starts out blind, right? So Satan blinds the blind in the hopes that he might what? I think allowing Satan to do this is God judicially hardening them Just sometimes that step is assumed.

What truth are these unbelievers suppressing?

Romans 1:18-22 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,

These are unbelievers who rejected the truth, right?

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God Romans 3:23 would seem to be a justification statement. Romans 3:11-13 included (see above). What do you think about the statement that 'they all turned aside'? What did they turn aside from that made them that way, implying that they were not always like that? Does one need to pass perfect righteous standards for a faith to be accepted? I offer the new believer as evidence. He needs to have the fear of God like a child in his formattable years to motivate him to obey God. It is only later in his faith, if his faith has been perfected, or matured, that he casts away all fear. In other words, he casts away all fear when he's all grown up spiritually and sees the love behind the commandments. He doesn't need to be motivated by fear of chastisement like a child. That doesn't sound like a mature sinless motivated faith to me. Why does one need to have a five star faith for it to be acceptable, when the beginning of that same faith in sanctification is anything but. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." It doesn't sound like the I love you with all my heart kind of faith, does it? The faith of a mustard seed. God drawing people, or to drag, pull, or persuade, doesn't sound like it's necessarily motivated by Holy Ghost goose bumps, does it?

Paul says something interesting in Romans 7:18

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

Is the desire enough for the start of faith? It's the sick who need a doctor, right? Sometimes I wonder if the faith that Jesus Authors and Finishes is the one that starts when we are indwelt as a result of believing, from the Spirit. In other words, our pre-salvation faith is tainted with sin by holy standards, but also selfishly genuine and seeking the Doctor to be cured. Bottoming out in sin, if you will. Any "being perfected", or practically sanctified would be a result of the indwelling, which is the result of faith.

Isaiah 6:8-10 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' "Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed."

What would have happened if God didn't judicially harden them so that they could still hear and see? Would they be able to believe? That seems to be what Isaiah is saying in 6:8-10. Rendered so that they could not see and hear, lest they believe, right? Are dead made more dead, etc., or is their being able to believe if not hardened a hypothetical?

Here's some more...

Romans 3:10-12 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."

Paul is quoting Psalms, which sheds a little more light on the context. "They have all turned aside" begs the question, from what? Were they able to see before "they all turned aside"? The fact that God looks down upon the children of that time (He taught them all) to see if there were any who understand and who seek God would appear at a glance to answer that question. Psalm 53: says the same thing, but adds "They have together become corrupt". Interesting, that they "became corrupt". One could argue that sin needs to take it's course, and their comes a point in time, while being in a bad state, God, as judgment, puts the final nail in the coffin, lest they see, hear, and believe.

Psalm 14:2-4 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the Lord?

Psalm 53:2-4 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call upon God?

Because... as John 6:65 is often quoted as a proof text. From that same context...

John 6:35, 45, 65 Everyone has been taught by God. All the children of Israel (Isaiah (54:13). Almost sounds universally, especially when we consider John 12:32, And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."

Even the Hardening on Israel was only partial. They can be grafted back in by God (Romans 11:20-25), if the do not continue in unbelief. Belief seems to dictate the grafting in, as unbelief seems to dictate the branches broken off. Total depravity isn't total according to this context as I see it. Am I wrong?

The Gentiles...

Romans 2:14-15 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

Wait, what? The Law written on their hearts, accusing, excusing them? Hmm. Time to revisit total depravity, me thinks.

[garee]

God hardens hearts that He claims would otherwise believe. Is this total depravity?

Try to keep an open mind. Try to be good Bereans, if you can. Speak hypothetically, if you need to.

Why does Satan, or the god of this age need to blind people who, according to reformed theology, already lack the capacity or desire to understand? Everybody starts out blind, right? So Satan blinds the blind in the hopes that he might what? I think allowing Satan to do this is God judicially hardening them Just sometimes that step is assumed.

What truth are these unbelievers suppressing?

Clueless Satan, the iffy guessing god. Three times in Mathew 4 "if you are the son of God"??  . three time the Holy Father, Christ gave words to his prophet Jesus as it is written

Proving he has no idea of the mysteries hid in parables not knowing who the son of God is.

In Mathew 16 Satan chose Peter a sign and wonder seeker rather than one that seeks after prophecy sola scriptura). Satan as the one spirit of the antichrists

Antichrists' which is simply another teaching authority (oral traditions of dying mankind) other than sola scriptura.

Satan adding to the word placed the lies on the tongue of Peter as one of the many antichrists--- false apostles sent with false prophecy oral traditions of dying mankind .

Peter moved by the spirt of error rebuked our Holy Father and forbid Jesus the Son of man from doing the powerful will of the father .Peter the sign and wonder seeker was forgiven of his blasphemy against the Son of man, Jesus.

Mathew 16: 22-23 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.  .

The father of lies is not subject to salvation the spiritual unseen things found in parables. Christ working in us-- our Emmanuel. Our Father does not blind dying mankind they are born that way.

As soon as mankind is born their hard heart speaks lies of those dead in thier trespass and sin without God or hope in this world. Fulfilling the wage of sin death. sufferings in these bodies of death .

Psalm 58:3 The wicked (all of mankind) are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

One lie that prevents a believers is the lie sufferings after one takes thier last breath. Teaching it is not the end and thier lives and bodies do not return to dust but somehow like 10th century Pope Formosa a resurrected a bag of bones pronounced judgment, cadaver trial then passed them bones around to be venerated by the non venerable pew warmers  .

Making God into a God of vengeance.---suffering forever in Limbo for the younger sinners and Purgatory for the older sinner.

Teaching the pew warmers(non venerable) that only a queen mother of heaven received the fulness of grace the complete cost of salvation .The rest of the world a unknown unknowable remnant   
 
Blinding the minds of those who beleive life in there bodies of death after death is re-incarnation. and not ressurection on the last day under the Sun a new body incorruptible neither male not female Jew nor Gentile.   

Yoked with Christ our daily bread the daily suffering of hell is made lighter as Christ with us softens our new born again hearts with the water of the word.
 
Water of the word a gospel metaphor used in parables to represent the unseen Holy Spirit pouring out his labor of love and dying mankind in jeapordy of his own faithfulness .He gives us little calling us ye with little of his power, with the power to ask to increase it like Peter increase your work of faith (unseen power) in me Christ the storeroom of Christ faith. 

leading to the law of interpretation---Without (not even one)parable used to hide the spiritual understanding Christ in us ---Christ spoke not.

2 Corinthians 4:1-4  King James Version Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
 
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The temporal historic must be mixed with the unseen eternal or no gospel rest it remains a mystery  Hebrew 4:1-2

Parables do not change the historical temporal but does add honey the flavor of parables teaching us not to eat too much. 

Again believing life does not end when we take our last breath takes away the need of rightly dividing the parables. The mixing of the temporal historical with the invisible eternal "Let there be" thing of faith--- the unseen power of and "it was God alone good"   

Don't let Satan the clueless god's doctrine of hell wondering, wondering, wondering just as if true prophecy. therefore turning dust into reincarnation the foundation of mythology many gods in the likeness of dying mankind .

Ecclesiastes 3:20All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Believers have prophecy till the end of time no need to wonder, wonder, wonder in Limbo for the younger baby sinners and Purgatory for the more mature

2 Thessalonians 2: 9-11 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders ,And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a
lie:

I would suggest learn how to rightly divide the parables they take away the wondering as the mysteries of faith (unseen things)