What does "None Who Does Good, No Not One" mean?

Definition and Key Passages

The phrase “None who does good, no not one” appears prominently in Psalm 14:3 and Psalm 53:3, and is echoed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:12. In the Berean Standard Bible, Psalm 14:3 states, “All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” This theme of universal human waywardness and sinfulness underscores the Scriptural teaching that all people are in need of divine redemption.

When Paul quotes this phrase in Romans 3:9–12, he emphasizes the universality of sin: “What then? Are we any better? Not at all. We have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’”

Context and Background

These verses find their origin in the Hebrew Scriptures, wherein the psalmist laments humanity’s corruption and moral depravity apart from God’s power and guidance. Both Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 convey a setting in which people deny God and commit acts that stand in opposition to His moral standards. The Old Testament authors were deeply concerned with calling the reader to an awareness of human inability to reach God’s holiness on their own.

By Paul’s day, Jewish and Gentile believers alike encountered legalism and self-sufficiency. Paul thus utilizes the psalms to emphasize that neither religious heritage nor external adherence to the Law can justify anyone. Only the righteousness provided through faith in Christ offers a solution to the brokenness described in Psalm 14 and Psalm 53.

Theological Significance: Universal Sinfulness

The core teaching of “None who does good, no not one” is that all humanity, left to ourselves, falls short of God's perfect moral standard. In theological terms, we call this the doctrine of the universality of sin: every individual, regardless of culture or background, stands guilty before a holy God.

This does not deny that people can perform acts of kindness or show goodwill in various contexts. Rather, it highlights that no one can attain perfect righteousness on their own. The measure of “good” in Scripture is the absolute perfection of God, and no human being meets that standard independently.

Connection to the Need for Salvation

Because no one perfectly does good, Scripture shows us the necessity of redemption. Romans 3:23 affirms: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This universal shortcoming points to humanity’s desperate condition: we are unable to save ourselves. The solution is found in Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

In the New Testament, the teachings of Christ and the apostolic writings further clarify that moral improvement or self-righteous effort cannot bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. Instead, the atoning work of Christ, culminating in His bodily resurrection, stands as the only path to reconciliation.

Biblical Consistency and Manuscript Evidence

From the original Hebrew texts of the Psalms to the Greek writings of the New Testament, the phrase “None who does good, no not one” has been preserved with remarkable consistency throughout centuries of transmission. Leading textual criticisms by scholars of biblical manuscripts highlight that the Dead Sea Scrolls preserve ancient readings consistent with the Masoretic Text, confirming the historical reliability of passages like Psalms 14 and 53.

Meanwhile, early New Testament manuscripts—such as Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus—show Paul’s usage of the Old Testament phrase in Romans 3. These manuscripts attest to how Paul applied the psalmist’s condemnation of sin to every human being, Jew and Gentile alike, underscoring the unity and harmony across Scripture.

Practical and Spiritual Implications

1. Humility Before God

Recognizing that there truly is “no one who does good” instills a sense of humility. We stand before a holy God, unable to claim inherent righteousness. This sense of our need can lead us to look beyond ourselves for rescue, embracing the grace God provides.

2. Security in God’s Plan

Understanding universal sinfulness can also bring comfort: it levels the playing field, reminding us we all need the same Savior. No cultural or personal background grants moral superiority. We come to the cross on the same footing—broken, yet offered mercy.

3. Invitation to Transformation

The Scripture that convicts us also calls us to transformation through the Holy Spirit. As stated in Romans 6:4, “just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.” In other words, the despair that comes from “no one does good” is met with the hope of a new heart and new desires through faith.

Philosophical and Behavioral Considerations

From the vantage point of human motivation and behavior, people do altruistic things for one another. Yet the biblical statement points to a deeper issue: without ultimate moral grounding in God, even our best intentions stumble short of divine holiness. This is why Scripture focuses on the heart’s orientation—do actions proceed from a redeemed heart seeking to glorify God, or from a self-focused perspective?

Behavioral science illuminates that moral capacity alone does not guarantee transformation of the will; external morality may exist apart from inner spiritual renewal. The biblical conclusion is that authentic transformation arises from divine intervention, leading to a heart aligned with God’s ways.

Conclusion

“None who does good, no not one” is both a sobering and hope-filled statement. Sobering because it places every person under the plight of sin—hopeless in our own strength to reach God’s standard. Hope-filled because it points us inevitably toward the saving work of Christ, whose righteousness redeems us.

These passages remind every reader that no matter how upright one appears, a personal reckoning with one’s need for God’s saving grace is essential. This truth is woven consistently through Scripture, preserved across centuries of faithful transmission, and confirmed by the message of the gospel. Salvation does not come by human effort; it comes by the righteous work of the risen Christ, available to all who place their trust in Him.