Is righteousness attained as an end goal or a continues state we need to try be in? ~ Cross reference of Romans 3:9 to Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:3, Ecclesiastes 7:20

In Romans 3 Paul builds a case to show that Jews and gentiles are sinful. He kind of Indicates that the Jews who have the law are just as bad as the gentiles who do not have the law.

He uses a lame logic that if we are unrighteous, G-d's righteousness is amplified. Click to read the post where I share some thoughts on what G-d expects from us in asking us to be righteous.

He them quotes Psalm 14:3, Psalm 53:3 & Ecclesiastes 7:20 to prove that there is no one who is righteous. [Psalm 53 is an exact repeat of Psalm 14. Not sure why though]

The issue still remains that that no one can be righteous for ever. Even the most righteous person fails at times and they have to get up, repent and seeks G-d's help to overcome the failure. 

So Paul's assertion that all are sinners for ever is wrong because G-d expects sinners to repent and turn to good. This is a continues process to get more and more righteous every day.

That said, let is see why the cross references Paul uses to say that all humans are pathetic sinners is not right.

All Images are links to Google Images. Copyright violations not intended.

All Greek Text references are from NIV and Tanakh references are from Chabad.

This post is not intended to offend anyone's faith but for those people who are Seeking the truth of THE ONE TRUE G-D of the universe to who we owe all our love, gratitude & devotion.

My encouragement to you is that you read the whole chapter of Tanakh that the Greek text quotes so you get the context and understand what G-d actually said.

G-d Bless and Seek THE Truth.

Romans 3:9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Psalm 14:3 For the conductor, of David; The fool said in his heart, "There is no God"; they have dealt corruptly; they have committed abominable deeds; no one does good. 2 The Lord in Heaven looked down upon the sons of men to see whether there is a man of understanding, who seeks the Lord. 3 All have turned away; together they have spoiled; no one does good, not even one.

Psalm 53:3 For the conductor, on machalath, a maskil of David. 2 The fool said in his heart, "There is no God"; they have dealt corruptly; they have committed abominable injustice; no one does good. 3 God looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see whether there is a man of understanding, who seeks God. Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is no righteous man on earth who does good and sins not.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is no righteous man on earth who does good and sins not.

Psalm 14:3 & Psalm 53:3

• This is a Psalm of David and he talks about how the evil people [enemies of Israel] are offending the poor and saying there is no G-d. These passages are talking about people who deny the existence of G-d and the law that G-d gave.
• David is not saying that all mankind is evil. If you read verse 4 David talks about how these evil people devoured Israel and the poor.
• Psalm 14:4 Did not all the workers of iniquity know? Those who devoured My people partook of a feast; they did not call upon the Lord.
• While we all sin and we all move away from G-d, key is to know that we have sinned and repent and stay away from sin as best as possible but G-d is merciful to the people who repent and try their hardest to be close to him
• Paul’s assertion that all mankind is sinful is not right. this Psalm does not support his claim. If you read from verse 5 to 7 David says that G-d is among the righteous man and that G-d will save the poor and exploited people. Verse 7 is clear that David prays that one day Israel will be redeemed and they will rejoice..
• Psalms 14:5 There they were in great fear, for God is in the generation of a righteous man. 6 You put to shame the counsel of the poor, for the Lord is his refuge. 7 O that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion; when the Lord returns the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, Israel shall be glad.
• Psalm 53 is similar to Psalm 14 so nothing to add but thanks to Paul I found this. 

Ecclesiastes 7:20

• Solomon is right that even the most righteous person sins.
• Everyone sins and we need to repent and return to G-d each time we fail. We need to seek G-d's help as we cannot overcome sin by our own strength. G-d is merciful and loves the people who try to be righteous