Menu

Romans 3:15

Romans 3:15 in Multiple Translations

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

Their feet are swift to shed blood:

Their feet are swift to shed blood;

Their feet are quick in running after blood;

and they are quick to cause pain and death.

Their feete are swift to shead blood.

Swift [are] their feet to shed blood.

“Their feet are swift to shed blood.

Their feet are swift to shed blood.

Their feet swift to shed blood:

They ◄go quickly/are eager► to murder people [MTY].

They are always ready to kill other people.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 3:15

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Romans 3:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK οξεις οι ποδες αυτων εκχεαι αιμα
οξεις oxus G3691 sharp/swift Adj-NPM
οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM
ποδες pous G4228 foot Noun-NPM
αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM
εκχεαι ekcheō G1632 to pour out Verb-AAN
αιμα ahima G129 (Field of) Blood Noun-ASN
Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Romans 3:15

οξεις oxus G3691 "sharp/swift" Adj-NPM
This word means sharp or swift, like a sharp object or fast movement. In Revelation, it describes Jesus' sharp sword and swift judgment. It also appears in Romans to describe swift motion.
Definition: ὄξύς, -εῖα, -ύ [in LXX: Psa.57:4, al. (חַד), Amo.2:15 (קַל), Isa.5:28 (שָׁנַן), etc. ;] __1. sharp: Rev.1:16 2:12 14:14, 17-18 19:15. __2. Of motion, swift: Rom.3:15 (LXX ταχινός).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: sharp, swift See also: Revelation 1:16; Revelation 14:17; Revelation 2:12.
οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
ποδες pous G4228 "foot" Noun-NPM
The Greek word for 'foot' is used literally and figuratively in the Bible, as seen in Matthew 4:6 and Mark 9:45. It can refer to a person's foot or an animal's foot, and is also used symbolically in Romans 16:20 and 1 Corinthians 15:25.
Definition: πούς, ποδός, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for רֶגֶל ;] a foot, both of men and beasts: Mat.4:6 (LXX), Mrk.9:45, Luk.1:79, Jhn.11:44, Act.7:5, al.; ὑπο τοὺς π., Rom.16:20, 1Co.15:25 15:27 Eph.1:22, Heb.2:8; ὑποκάτω τῶν π., Mat.22:44 (LXX); πρὸς (παρὰ) τοὺς π., Mrk.5:22, Luk.8:41, al.; figuratively, Mat.15:30, Luk.10:39, Act.5:2, al.; ἔμπροσθεν τῶν π., Rev.3:9 19:10, al.; ἐπὶ τοὺς π., Act.10:25. By meton., of a person in motion (Psa.119:101): Luk.1:79, Act.5:9, Rom.3:15 10:15, Heb.12:13 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 86 NT verses. KJV: foot(-stool) See also: 1 Corinthians 12:15; Luke 4:11; Hebrews 1:13.
αυτων autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GPM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
εκχεαι ekcheō G1632 "to pour out" Verb-AAN
To pour something out is what this word means. It's used in Revelation 16:1-4 to describe pouring out a bowl of God's wrath. The Bible also uses it to describe shedding blood or pouring out one's heart.
Definition: ἐκ-χέω also Hellenistic, ἐκχύνω (in Th.: 4Ki.14:14 *), and ἐκχύννω (which see) [in LXX chiefly for שָׁפַךְ ;] to pour out: φιάλην, Rev.16:1-4, 8 16:10, 12 16:17; κέρματα, Jhn.2:15; αἷμα, Mat.23:35 (cf. MM, Exp., xii), Luk.11:50, Act.22:20, Rom.3:15" (LXX) Rev.16:6. Pass., αἷμα, Mat.26:28, Mrk.14:24, Act.22:20; οἶνος, Mat.9:17, Luk.5:37; σπλάγχνα, Act.1:18. Metaphorical, τ. πνεῦμα, Act.2:17-18 (LXX), Act.2:33 10:45, Tit.3:6; ἀγάπη, Rom.5:5 (cf. Sir.36:8, ὀργήν); pass., of persons (like Lat. effundor), to give oneself up to (RV, ran riotously in): Ju 11.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 28 NT verses. KJV: gush (pour) out, run greedily (out), shed (abroad, forth), spill See also: Acts 1:18; Matthew 23:35; Revelation 16:1.
αιμα ahima G129 "(Field of) Blood" Noun-ASN
Blood, literally or figuratively, as in Mark 5:25 and John 1:13. It can refer to the atoning blood of Christ or kindred and bloodshed.
Definition: αἷμα, ατος, τό, [in LXX for דָּם ;] blood. __1. In the ordinary sense: Mrk.5:25, Luk.8:43,44 22:44, Jhn.19:34, Act.15:20,29 21:25, Rev.8:7,8 11:6 16:3,4,6 19:13. __2. In special senses: __(a) of generation, origin, kinship (cl.): Jhn.1:13 (see MM, VGT, see word); __(b) as in OT (AR on Eph, l.with), in the phrase σάρξ καὶ αἷ. (αἷ. κ. σ.), to indicate human nature as opposite to God and created spirits: Mat.16:17, 1Co.15:50, Gal.1:16, Eph.6:12, Heb.2:14; __(with) of things in colour resembling blood: Act.2:19,20, Rev.6:12 14:18-20. __(d) of bloodshed, a bloody death (cl.): Mat.23:30,35 27:4,6,8,24,25, Luk.11:50,51 13:1, Act.1:19 5:28 18:6 20:26 22:20, Heb.12:4, Rev.6:10 17:6 18:24 19:2 ; αἷ. ἐκχέειν (Deiss., LAE, 428; MM, VGT, see word, αἷ.), Rom.3:15, Rev.16:6; __(e) of sacrificial blood, as an expiation: Heb.9:7,12,13,18-22,25 10:4 11:28 13:11; of the blood of Christ, Mat.26:28, Mrk.14:24, Luk.22:20, Jhn.6:53,54,56, Act.20:28, Rom.3:25 5:9, 1Co.10:16 11:25,27, Eph.1:7 2:13, Col.1:20, Heb.9:12,14 10:19,29 12:24 13:20, 1Pe.1:2,19, 1Jn.1:7 (cf. 5:6,8), Rev.1:5 5:9 7:14 12:11. (Cremer, 69 f., 612 f.) † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 91 NT verses. KJV: blood See also: 1 Corinthians 10:16; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 1:2.

Study Notes — Romans 3:15

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Isaiah 59:7–8 Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have turned them into crooked paths; no one who treads on them will know peace.
2 Proverbs 1:16 For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.
3 Proverbs 6:18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,

Romans 3:15 Summary

This verse means that some people are very quick to hurt or kill others, and it shows just how sinful and broken our world can be. The Bible says that our feet should be swift to spread the good news of peace and love, not to hurt others, as seen in Romans 10:15. We can learn from this verse that we should strive to be people of peace and love, following the example of Jesus, who taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, as seen in Matthew 5:44.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that their feet are swift to shed blood?

This phrase indicates that the people being described are quick to engage in violence and bloodshed, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 140:11, where the wicked are described as being swift to shed innocent blood.

Is this verse talking about a specific group of people?

While Romans 3:15 is part of a larger passage that describes the universal sinfulness of humanity, the specific context suggests that it is describing those who have rejected God's law and are given over to their sinful nature, as seen in Romans 1:18-32.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the passage?

Romans 3:15 is part of a series of verses that describe the sinful state of humanity, highlighting the corruption of the heart, the tongue, and the feet, as seen in Romans 3:13-17, and serves as a backdrop for the introduction of God's righteousness in Jesus Christ in Romans 3:21-26.

What is the significance of the image of feet being swift to shed blood?

The image of feet being swift to shed blood is a powerful metaphor for the eagerness and haste with which the wicked engage in violent and destructive behavior, as seen in other passages like Proverbs 1:16, where the wicked are described as being swift to run to evil.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I may be contributing to a culture of violence or aggression, and how can I instead be a peacemaker?
  2. How can I, as a follower of Jesus, be a beacon of hope and peace in a world that often values power and aggression over gentleness and compassion?
  3. What are some practical ways that I can 'put on' the character of Christ, who is the embodiment of peace and love, as described in Colossians 3:12-17?
  4. How can I cultivate a heart of peace and a spirit of gentleness, even in the face of conflict or adversity, as seen in Matthew 5:38-42?

Gill's Exposition on Romans 3:15

Their feet are swift to shed blood. The sins of the heart and mouth are before described, and now the sins of action are taken notice of; for "the feet" are the instruments of motion and action: and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 3:15

Their feet are swift to shed blood: Their feet are swift to shed blood (Proverbs 1:16; Isaiah 59:7) - q.d., 'Those feet which should "run the way of God's commandments" (Psalms 119:32) are employed

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 3:15

If we consider this member also, we may see the corruption of man; witness that testimony, , and ; on both which see annotations.

Trapp's Commentary on Romans 3:15

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: Ver. 15. Swift to shed blood] As Paul, till God stopped him in his cursed career.

Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 3:15

(9-20) Once more the argument returns to the main track, and at last the Apostle asserts distinctly and categorically what he had already proved indirectly, that the Jew is every whit as bad as the Gentile.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 3:15

Verse 15. Their feet are swift to shed blood] They make use of every means in their power to destroy the reputation and lives of the innocent.

Barnes' Notes on Romans 3:15

Their feet ... - The quotation in this and the two following verses, is abridged or condensed from Isaiah 59:7-8. The expressions occur in the midst of a description of the character of the nation in the time of the prophet.

Whedon's Commentary on Romans 3:15

15. Swift—Like the feet of a hotly pursuing murderer.

Sermons on Romans 3:15

SermonDescription
William MacDonald Samson - Physically Strong, Morally Weak by William MacDonald In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a river that went dry and a man who tried to cover up a dead body in the riverbed. However, the body was eventually discovered and
Shane Idleman The Futility of One Nation Above God by Shane Idleman Shane Idleman emphasizes the futility of prioritizing a nation above God, particularly in the context of Memorial Day, urging remembrance of the sacrifices made for freedoms that a
K.C. Moser Are We Preaching the Gospel? by K.C. Moser The preacher delves into the dual meanings of 'oxus' in the Bible, highlighting its representation of rapid motion and sharpness, particularly in the book of Revelation. This sharp
G. Campbell Morgan Holiness: It's Fruit by G. Campbell Morgan G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes that being 'in Christ' transforms a person into a new creation, where the old self and its desires pass away, making way for a life centered on God. H
William Guthrie Marks of a Saving Change by William Guthrie William Guthrie preaches about the marks by which a person may know if they are in covenant with God and have a special interest in Christ. He discusses the preparatory work of the
Chuck Smith Pure by Faith by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of letting go of religious traditions and embracing the freedom found in Christ. He highlights how Jesus faced opposition from
Don McClure Under Sin by Don McClure In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of sin on the human mind and its ability to comprehend spiritual matters. He highlights the irony of highly intelligent individuals

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate