Yes — there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles in terms of sin because both are all under sin (Romans 3:9).
Paul asks whether Jews are better than Gentiles and answers, "No, in no wise," because he has before proved that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. Les Feldick reinforces that a Jew cannot come before God on covenant ground and that God sees the Jew no differently than the Gentile — all are equally guilty and in need of the same salvation.
Romans 3:9 — This verse directly states that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin, which is the core reason there is no difference between them.
Romans 3:22-23 — These verses explicitly say "there is no difference" because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:9 asks, "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." No advantage, no separation, and no difference exists between Jew and Gentile when it comes to sin. Romans 3:22-23 confirms the same truth: "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." The law itself does not create a difference. Romans 3:19 says the law speaks to those under the law so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God. Romans 3:20 adds that by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified in God's sight, "for by the law is the knowledge of sin." The Scripture therefore places Jew and Gentile side by side as equally guilty before God.
Les Feldick says Paul’s statement that there was no difference between Jew and Gentile is what got him into trouble with his Jewish people. God had told Israel, "You're different," and they were to have nothing to do with the pagans around them. When Paul, a Jew, insisted there was no difference, it riled them. Yet Paul meant exactly what he said: "For how many have sinned? All. Not just the Gentiles" (Clip 1, Romans 3:23). Les applies this truth beyond just Jewish and Gentile categories. A Jew cannot come before God on covenant ground. God does not see a person as a white person, a black person, a rich person, or a poor person — there is no difference among any human category. Romans 3:9 proves both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin, and every person has been guilty of disobeying God’s revealed will (Clips 2, 3). That is why a Jew must be saved the same way a Gentile is saved — by grace, apart from a works religion (Clips 4, 7). Les also shows that the law was never intended to justify anyone. It pointed the finger and said "guilty." It shut every mouth and made the whole world guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law no flesh is justified. Believers are now not under the law but under grace, yet grace does not give license to sin (Clips 0, 5).
Romans 3:19 says the law speaks to the Jew who is under the law, but its effect reaches the whole world: "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Romans 3:20 explains that by the deeds of the law no one will be justified, because the law brings the knowledge of sin. Les says the law could do nothing but point the finger and say "guilty," and that by the law is the knowledge of sin and death.
Romans 3:22 says the righteousness of God is "by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." Les says both Jew and Gentile must come on the same level playing field. A Jew cannot come on covenant ground, and a Gentile cannot come on any other basis either. Both are all under sin and both need the same righteousness which comes by faith. Les emphasizes that a Jew has to be saved by this gospel of grace and must drop a works religion, just like a Gentile.
Romans 6:14 says, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Paul then asks, "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid" (Romans 6:15). Les says grace does not give us license to sin. The old nature is dead and should not have dominion anymore. Believers are no longer under the "thou shalt" and "thou shalt not" demands of the law, but that does not mean grace permits sin.
Law and Grace
Les contrasts the law with grace: the law was intended to show man his sin, but believers are now under grace, where the old nature is dead and sin should not have dominion.
No Difference Angered the Jews
Les says Paul’s claim of no difference between Jew and Gentile caused trouble because Israel had been set apart and told not to have dealings with pagans.
God Sees No Difference
Les says God sees a Jew no differently than a Gentile; no one can come on covenant ground or on the basis of race or class.
Both Jews and Gentiles Under Sin
Les emphasizes Romans 3:9: both Jews and Gentiles are proved all under sin, and every person has been guilty of disobeying God’s revealed will.
Jews Saved Same Way as Gentiles
Les says Jews are saved by the same grace gospel as Gentiles and must drop their works religion.
The Law Shuts Every Mouth
Les teaches that the law speaks to Israel but makes all the world guilty before God, and no flesh can be justified by keeping the law.
Israel’s Separation Did Not Remove Sin
Les notes that even though God set Israel apart, Romans 3:9 still shows both Jew and Gentile under sin — there is no difference.
Same Level Playing Field Today
Les applies the no-difference truth to today: a Jew and a Gentile are alike under sin and are offered salvation on the same level playing field.
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;
This is the key verse that proves both Jews and Gentiles are equally under sin.
Romans 3:19: 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.
This shows the law's reach extended beyond Israel to make the whole world guilty.
Romans 3:20: Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
This explains why law-keeping cannot remove the shared condition of sin.
Romans 3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
This is the verse that explicitly declares there is no difference regarding righteousness.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This is the reason there is no difference: everyone has sinned.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This shows the believer's position has changed from law to grace.
Romans 6:15: What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
This answers the objection that grace gives permission to sin.
No. Romans 3:9 says "No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin." Les Feldick notes that Paul’s Jewish hearers were riled by this, but it is still the truth.
It means Jew and Gentile stand on the same level before God. Both have sinned and both need the same righteousness, which comes by faith in Jesus Christ.
No. Romans 6:15 says "God forbid." Les Feldick says grace does not give license to sin, and the old nature is dead so it should no longer have dominion.
Watch the Teaching: Redemption Explained: From Law to Grace (Romans 3 & 6)