Romans Road Lesson 1

The Need for Salvation: “All Have Sinned”

Romans Road Series — Teaching New Believers the Foundations of the Gospel (KJV)

When a person first comes to Christ, one of the most important truths they must understand is why they needed to be saved in the first place. Before we can rejoice in the forgiveness that is in Christ Jesus, we must fully grasp the reality of our spiritual condition before salvation. The Romans Road begins here—with the declaration that every single person is a sinner in need of redemption.

Today’s lesson will walk carefully through Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23, the first stops on the Romans Road. These verses show us the universal problem of humanity and lay the foundation for everything God reveals about salvation. Without this starting point, the rest of the Gospel loses its clarity and power.

“There Is None Righteous” — The Universal Condition of Man

Romans 3:10 — “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

The apostle Paul begins this section of Romans by quoting from the Old Testament, reminding us that the truth of humanity’s sinfulness is not new—it has always been revealed in God’s Word. From the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden, mankind has been marked by sin, rebellion, and separation from God.

Notice the strong language of the verse:

None righteous
No, not one

God leaves no room for exceptions. From the most religious person to the most notorious sinner, from the one who tries to live morally to the one who openly rejects God—no one is righteous before a holy God.

Cross-Reference: Ecclesiastes 7:20

“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived apart from Christ Himself, reinforces the same sobering truth. Even the best among us fall short. Every man, woman, and child carries the stain of sin from birth.

Cross-Reference: Psalm 14:2–3

“The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

This imagery is striking. God looks down from heaven, searching for one righteous person—and finds none. All have turned aside; all have become corrupted by sin.

In our culture, people often compare themselves to others and conclude, “Well, I’m not that bad.” But God does not compare us with other sinners—He compares us with His own perfect holiness. And when measured by that standard, all are found guilty.

Understanding Sin: Not Just Actions, but a Condition

Many new believers initially think of “sin” only as outward actions—lying, stealing, immorality, hatred, and so forth. But the Bible teaches that sin is much deeper than individual misdeeds. It is a nature—a spiritual condition inherited from Adam.

Cross-Reference: Romans 5:12

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

Adam’s sin affected the entire human race. Because of his disobedience, every person is born with a sinful nature. We are not sinners because we sin—we sin because we are sinners. This sinful condition affects every part of us:

Our minds (Romans 1:28)
Our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9)
Our desires (Romans 7:18)
Our actions (Isaiah 53:6)

Sin is not merely what we do; it is what we are apart from Christ. This is why God says in Isaiah 64:6 that all our righteousnesses—the best deeds we can offer—are as “filthy rags.” Even our good works are tainted by sin.

Until a person understands their true condition before God, they cannot fully understand their need for salvation.

“All Have Sinned” — The Broad, Unavoidable Truth

Romans 3:23 — “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

This is perhaps the most well-known verse in the Romans Road, and for good reason. It makes the truth unmistakably clear: all have sinned. The verse does not say:

“Many have sinned,”
“Most have sinned,” or
“Those who do the worst things have sinned.”

It says ALL—every person, everywhere, throughout all generations.

Cross-Reference: 1 Kings 8:46

“…for there is no man that sinneth not…”

Even in the Old Testament, the universal nature of sin was understood. No man can claim innocence. No man can stand before God on his own merits.

Cross-Reference: James 2:10

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Some might think, “Well, I haven’t done that much wrong.” But God’s standard is not “do more good than bad.” His standard is perfect, flawless obedience. Breaking even one commandment makes us guilty before Him.

“Come Short of the Glory of God” — What Does It Mean?

The phrase “come short” is a powerful picture. It means to fail to achieve, to fall behind, to miss the mark. This language reminds us of the standard God has set—His own perfect holiness.

What is the “glory of God”?

It is His perfect righteousness, purity, and holiness. It is the radiant moral excellence of His nature.

To come short of God’s glory means:

We do not measure up to His holiness
We do not live in a way that reflects His character
We fall infinitely short of His perfection

Imagine trying to jump across a canyon one mile wide. Whether a person jumps five feet or twenty feet, both fall to the bottom. The difference is irrelevant. Likewise, some may appear morally better than others—but all fall short of God’s perfect standard.

Why This Truth Matters: The Foundation of the Gospel

A person cannot be truly saved until they understand their own sinfulness. Jesus Himself said:

Luke 5:31–32

“…They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus does not save those who think they are “good enough”—He saves those who know they are sinners. Before a person can value Christ’s sacrifice, they must see the seriousness of their own guilt.

Many people today believe they are basically good, or at least better than others. But Scripture strips away all self-righteousness:

You cannot save yourself.
You cannot fix your sinful nature.
You cannot earn God’s favor through works.

The truth of Romans 3:10 and 3:23 demolishes human pride and prepares the heart for the grace of God.

The Holiness of God Makes the Gospel Necessary

The reason sin is such a serious problem is not merely because it harms us or others—but because it is an offense against a holy God. God’s holiness is absolute and eternal.

Cross-Reference: Habakkuk 1:13

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…”

A holy God cannot wink at sin, ignore sin, or allow sin into His presence. If He did, He would cease to be holy. This means something profound: our sin separates us from God.

Cross-Reference: Isaiah 59:2

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…”

This separation is the tragedy of sin—and the reason salvation is necessary. The Gospel is not about self-improvement; it is about reconciliation to a holy God.

Human Attempts to Bridge the Gap Always Fail

Throughout history, mankind has tried to bridge the separation caused by sin through:

Good works
Rituals and ceremonies
Religious traditions
Personal morality
Charitable deeds
Self-discipline

But none of these can remove sin or make a sinner righteous before God.

Cross-Reference: Ephesians 2:8–9

“For by grace are ye saved through faith… Not of works…”

Cross-Reference: Titus 3:5

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”

Trying to earn salvation by works is like trying to wash away mud with muddy hands. The effort itself is corrupted by sin. Salvation must come from outside ourselves—from the sinless Son of God.

But before Paul shows us the answer, he makes sure we understand the problem clearly. That is why the Romans Road starts here.

The Romans Road Has a Destination—But It Begins with Humility

The beauty of the Romans Road is that it leads us step by step from guilt to grace, from condemnation to justification, from our deepest need to God’s greatest gift. But the journey must begin with humility.

A person who does not recognize their sin cannot truly repent.
A person who believes they are righteous cannot fully trust Christ.
A person who refuses to acknowledge their guilt cannot appreciate the cross.

This lesson—the sinfulness of man—is essential. Without it, the Gospel becomes a mere suggestion instead of a saving message.

Conclusion: This Is Where Salvation Begins

Romans 3:10 and 3:23 reveal the first and most foundational truth of the Gospel:

We are sinners. We are guilty. We have fallen short of God’s glory. And we cannot save ourselves.

But praise God, the Romans Road does not end here. This is only the beginning. In the next lessons, we will see:

the penalty of sin,
the love of God,
the gift of eternal life,
and the simple, beautiful call to receive Christ by faith.

Before we move forward, take time to let this truth sink into your heart. Recognizing your sinfulness is not meant to crush you—it is meant to prepare you to fully rejoice in the salvation Christ has provided.

Discussion Questions (Use for Personal Study)

Why does the Bible emphasize that “none are righteous” and “all have sinned”?
How does this challenge the way the world views human nature?
In what ways is sin more than just outward actions?
How does understanding the sinful nature change your view of your need for Christ?
How does Romans 3:23 show that no one can earn salvation?
Why is it important to understand your sinfulness before you can appreciate Christ’s sacrifice?
How does the holiness of God affect your understanding of sin?
What are some common ways people try to “fix” their sin problem without turning to Christ?
Are any of these attempts effective according to Scripture?
Which cross-reference in this lesson spoke to you the most, and why?
How would you explain Romans 3:23 to someone who believes they are “a good person”?