Does the law still apply to the whole world, not just Israel?
The law was specifically given to Israel, yet it still has control over the whole human race. Paul says all the world might be brought under its guilt. No society on earth can survive without some moral fabric like the Ten Commandments. So the law applies to the whole world in guilt and moral standard, though originally given to Israel.
Les explains that the law was given specifically to the nation of Israel, as seen in Romans chapter 3, but Paul says in the same breath that all the world might be brought under its guilt. So while the law was given to Israel, it still has control over the whole human race. Whether pagans, atheists, or anyone else, no society on earth or ever has been can survive without at least some sort of fabric like the Ten Commandments lay out for the human race. Always keep that in mind, but the law in itself is given specifically to the nation of Israel. This comes from the context of Exodus chapter 20, where the Ten Commandments are introduced.
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
More Questions
Does Romans 3:19 apply to the whole world or only to Israel?
Although only Israel was under the law, Romans 3:19 is addressed to the whole human race and stops every mouth, so the law condemns all mankind, not just Israel.