Ways of Destruction and Misery Romans 3:16

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. Their feet are swift to shed blood:” In chapter three and verse sixteen of Romans, Paul shared about their “ways” of, “destruction and misery” where we read:

Destruction and misery are in their ways:

The verse begins, “Destruction and misery...” Paul began with the word, “destruction” which refers to “that which is broken or shattered, fractured, in calamity and ruin” “and misery” or “hardship, trouble and calamity”. Paul added how “calamity, ruin, hardship and trouble” were also characteristics of the people to whom he referred.

The verse goes on to say, “... are in their ways:” Paul continued with the words, “are in” which means “are by and with” “their ways” or “the people to whom he referred's journey, course of conduct, thinking, feeling and deciding”. Paul declared these people's conduct and journey was filled with “ruin and trouble”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how people who were not “righteous”, did not “seek after God”, were “gone out of the way”, “become unprofitable” and did no “good” also had “ways” of “calamity and trouble”. These were the people Jesus came to “save”. Through God's abundant “grace”, Jesus was sent into the world to offer “salvation” to those who lead lives of “destruction and misery”. When a person understands that Jesus promises “everlasting life” to “whosoever believes in Him”, their “ways” which were filled with “calamity and ruin” may be changed to life and peace with God.

Next time Paul continues to tell the people in Rome, “the way of peace have they not known”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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