If the Bible is divinely inspired, why does Paul misquote the Old Testament (Romans 3:10-18 vs. Psalms)? Romans 3:10–18 and the Question at Hand “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.’ (vv. 10–12) ‘Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.’ (v. 13a) ‘The venom of vipers is on their lips.’ (v. 13b) ‘Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.’ (v. 14) ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery lie in their wake, and the way of peace they have not known.’ (vv. 15–17) ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’ (v. 18)” Many observe that these lines draw heavily from the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 14:1–3, 5:9, 140:3, 36:1), along with Isaiah 59:7–8. The question arises about why Paul’s wording does not match any single Old Testament passage verbatim. Some claim this to be a “misquotation” that challenges divine inspiration. However, understanding how Paul used the Hebrew Scriptures, along with the textual traditions of his day, clarifies the matter. 1. Nature and Purpose of Paul’s “Chain Quotation” Paul often employs a rabbinic style sometimes called “pearl-stringing” or “chain quoting,” where multiple Old Testament passages are joined together into a single, cohesive statement. He does not claim that these quotes come from the same Old Testament passage; rather, he introduces them with a general “as it is written,” signifying that the ensuing text is drawn from the Hebrew Scriptures collectively. By seamlessly pulling together verses from various Psalms and from Isaiah, Paul crafts a comprehensive indictment of humanity’s universal sinfulness. His intent is to show that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin, reflecting the wider scriptural testimony rather than quoting just one isolated text. Read within this context, the so-called “misquotation” is better understood as a purposeful summation. 2. Specific Old Testament Sources Cited • Verses 10–12 draw from Psalm 14:1–3 and Psalm 53:1–3, supported by Ecclesiastes 7:20. • Verse 13 references Psalm 5:9 and Psalm 140:3. • Verse 14 reflects Psalm 10:7 (as found in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament) or its thematic parallels. • Verses 15–17 draw extensively from Isaiah 59:7–8. • Verse 18 quotes from Psalm 36:1. Though these snippets come from multiple chapters of the Hebrew Scriptures, they share a common point: humanity in rebellion against God. Paul brings them together to emphasize that all people—without exception—stand in need of divine grace through faith in Christ. 3. Understanding Apparent Differences in Wording Some differences can stem from Paul’s usage of the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible commonly used in the Hellenistic world. The LXX occasionally employs alternate phrasing compared to the later Masoretic Hebrew text. Further, Paul (and others in his era) had no qualms about reshaping or combining scriptural language to clarify or emphasize a theological point. For instance, Jewish exegetical methods of the Second Temple period allowed for creative “blending” when referencing the Scriptures. The heart of the passage remains faithful to the Old Testament texts’ meaning, even if the quotations are fused or paraphrased. 4. Scriptural Context and Consistency Scripture, even when quoted in a condensed or composite form, preserves theological truth and remains consistent with the broader biblical witness. The Bible itself shows a long tradition of intertextual allusions. Jesus does something similar when He quotes Old Testament passages in ways that emphasize deeper implications of the text (e.g., Luke 4:18–19 citing Isaiah 61:1–2 yet stopping short of quoting judgment passages). Moreover, in many other writings of the New Testament, we see authors referencing the Old Testament in partial or adapted forms. The consistent message through these quotations is that they accurately convey the sacred text’s intent—the universal guilt of humankind (Romans 3:9, 23) and the necessity of salvation (Romans 3:24–26). 5. Guidance from Divine Inspiration Divine inspiration does not require biblical authors to cite passages with modern footnote precision. Rather, it ensures that their message, in its entire context, is exactly what the Holy Spirit intended to communicate (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The Holy Spirit guided Paul’s reasoning, and each “snippet” added to the unified teaching that no one can claim righteousness before God by their own works. Paul’s argument in Romans 3 thus remains a theologically faithful composite of Old Testament truths. It communicates precisely the universal sin problem the Hebrew Scriptures themselves repeatedly declare. 6. Historical and Early Manuscript Evidence Even among the earliest extant New Testament manuscripts (such as some papyri fragments), Romans 3:10–18 is preserved intact in essentially the same form we have now. Variations reflect normal scribal copy processes but do not alter the meaning of the text. In comparing the quotations with the Old Testament sources, little evidence suggests “error” in Paul’s approach. Instead, the method aligns with the interpretive norms of the time and binds the repeated Old Testament theme of universal unrighteousness. Additionally, no known early Christian writer recorded an objection that Paul “got the quoting wrong.” Such a concern would have appeared if Paul’s usage was off-track. The lack of controversy among first- or second-century believers supports the view that these condensed references were acceptable, legitimate means of citing Scripture. 7. Theological Unity and Literary Style While modern readers might expect quotations to appear in exact word-for-word alignment, ancient Jewish rhetorical practices took a freer approach, especially if that approach more clearly communicated the overarching message. Each snippet from Psalms and Isaiah, read within their respective contexts, underlines humanity’s failure to reverence God and choose righteousness. Both the Old and New Testaments consistently teach that sin is pervasive and that divine intervention is necessary. Paul’s tangled tapestry of Old Testament quotations simply showcases this unified testimony—demonstrating that the Bible, in its totality, calls for reliance on God’s mercy. 8. Conclusion and Key Takeaways • Paul’s quotation style in Romans 3:10–18 is not a misquotation but a standard rabbinic “chain quotation” of multiple Old Testament texts. • Apparent changes in wording often reflect a reliance on the Septuagint or a permissible blending technique common in first-century Jewish exegesis. • The core message remains consistent: no one is righteous by their own merit. All need the saving grace offered through faith in Christ. • Divine inspiration guarantees that the truths presented are accurate, even if the form of quoting differs from modern citation norms. • Manuscript evidence demonstrates that the text was transmitted well and recognized early on, without controversy, as a faithful proclamation of Scripture’s intent. Paul’s approach, far from undermining Scripture’s integrity, instead testifies to the consistent message of both the Old and New Testaments: humanity is universally sinful and in need of redemption through the righteousness provided by God. As he affirms elsewhere, “But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed… This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:21–22). |
    |