Feet Swift to Shed Blood Romans 3:15

Paul the apostle told the Jews in Rome, “There is none righteous, no, not one:” There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God”, and he added, “they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” In chapter three and verse fifteen of Romans, Paul shared how, “their feet are swift to shed blood” where we read:

Their feet are swift to shed blood:

The verse begins, “Their feet ...” Paul began with the words, “their feet” which refers to “the foot or travels of these people who are gone away from God”. Paul recognized the “feet” or way of travel which enabled these people who “were not righteous, did not understand or seek after God, were all gone out of the way and become unprofitable”.

The verse continues, “... are swift to shed blood” Paul added the words, “are swift” which means “are sharp, quick and rapid” “to shed blood” or “to pour out, shed, bestow or distribute largely bloodshed”. Paul shared how “rapidly” these people were to “kill” or bring “bloodshed” to others.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how far away from God these people were. “Bloodshed” was easy and quick for them because if anyone opposed them or got in their way, they were to be eliminated. At first glance this may seem like a harsh description of these people, however, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, you fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22) In other words, just the “emotion” and desire to “kill” deems it “unrighteous” within a person's heart. This is who Jesus Christ came to save. By dying on the cross, Jesus took on the “sin” of the entire world, including murder or “bloodshed”, and those who are wise shall not only turn to Him in repentance, but also receive His free gift of salvation even to those who are “swift to shed blood”.

Next time Paul continues to tell the people in Rome more about these unbelieving people as he wrote, “Destruction and misery are in their ways:”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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