Romans 3:9 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Romans 3:7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

Romans 3:8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

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

Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "better", "than", "wise", "before", "proved", "both", "jews", and "gentiles". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "better" and "than", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "And not rather as we be slanderously..." into verse 10's "As it is written There is none...", so "better" and "than" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "better" and "than" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.