How does Paul build his case against the human race in Romans 1-3?
Paul builds his case in Romans 1-3 by proving the entire human race utterly sinful and rebellious, opposite to the things of God. He addresses the gross immoral person, the moral person, and the religious person, then combines all three categories, declaring there is no difference because all have sinned and come short in glory.
Les explains that in the first three chapters of Romans, God, through the Apostle's pen, proved the whole race to be utterly sinful, utterly rebellious, and utterly opposite to the things of God. Paul built the case by dealing first with the gross immoral person, then the moral person, then the religious person. He put all three categories together and said there is no difference; they are all unprofitable, for all have sinned. The conclusion is Romans 3:23: 'for all have sinned and come short in glory.' After that, chapter 4 begins justification by faith, as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.