Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 3:9

9. What then? are we better then they ? No in no wise : for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin .

The Apostle here returnes to the Argument that he had been handling in the beginning of the Chapter. He brings in the Iews propounding a Question. Seeing it was confest, that the Oracles of God were committed to them; then it follow'd that they excell'd the Gentiles, and stood upon better Ground than they.

He doth not contradict himself as to what he had said of the Iews Prerogative, ver. 2. They did indeed excel the Gentiles as to some external Benefits, of which you have a larger account, chap. 9.4.5. but not upon the account of any Evangelical Righteousness, or their own supposed Merit.

Viz. Separately and apart in the foregoing Chapters: And the same is now to be asserted of both Iews and Gentiles, Conjunctly and together. That notwithstanding the Iews boasted of their Law, and the Gentiles of their Philosophy; yet as to the Evangelical Faith and Righteousness, they were both in the same Case.

Under the Power of Sin, but chiefly under the Guilt of Sin, vid. ver. 19.

Marginal references: Or, do we excel them.; Gr. accus'd or charged; Gal. 3.22.