The scope of the first two chapters of this epistle may be gathered from Rom. 3:9, “We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin.” This we have proved upon the Gentiles , now in this chapter he proves it upon the Jews, as appears by Rom.

In the former chapter the apostle had represented the state of the Gentile world to be as bad and black as the Jews were ready enough to pronounce it. And now, designing to show that the state of the Jews was very bad too, and their sin in many respects more aggravated, to prepare his way he sets…

In the latter part of the chapter the apostle directs his discourse more closely to the Jews, and shows what sins they were guilty of, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions.