Whose mouths are being stopped in Romans 3:19 — is it only Israel?
Romans 3:19 says the law speaks to those under the law, namely Israel, so that every mouth may be stopped. The mouths stopped are not Israel only; they are the whole human race, because all humanity must understand it has no argument to offer.
Les explains from Romans 3:19 that the law speaks to those who are under the law. He compares this with Galatians, which says Christ came to redeem them that were under the law, while Galatians 4 adds that we, the whole general race, might receive the adoption of sons. So Romans 3:19 is not limited to Israel, the ones under the law; it is so that every mouth may be stopped. Les teaches that the mouths in view belong to the whole human race, not just Israel. The whole human race must understand that it has no word of argument to offer. He illustrates this with Revelation 20 and the great white throne: lost humanity will come before the righteous judge, Christ Jesus Himself, and there will be no argument, debate, or big jury trial. Though some may say they cast out demons, He will say, depart from me, I never knew you. Otherwise there will be no argument, and they will suddenly see the record.
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
Whose mouths does Romans 3:19 mean when it says every mouth may be stopped?
The 'every mouth' that Romans 3:19 says must be stopped refers to the whole human race, not just Israel.
What is the purpose of the law according to Romans 3:19?
Romans 3:19 teaches that the law's purpose is not only to address Israel but to stop every mouth, meaning the whole human race, so that all understand they have no argument before God.
Who is included in 'every mouth' in Romans 3:19?
Romans 3:19 says 'every mouth' is stopped, and that includes everybody—Jew and Gentile, black and white, rich and poor, regardless of status—so everyone, not just Israel, is under the law's demand.