What does Romans 3 convey regarding human righteousness?

Romans 3 emphasizes the concept that all humans fall short of the glory of God, highlighting the universal need for redemption. The passage articulates that while God's righteousness exists independently of human actions, humans, by their very nature, are unable to meet God's standards of righteousness due to sin.

This scripture addresses the idea that no one is inherently good enough to achieve a right standing before God based solely on their merit or works, reaffirming the role of God's grace and the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. The distinction between God's holiness and human imperfection serves to underscore the transformational grace that is available through belief in Christ, further reinforcing the profound theological principle that righteousness is a gift from God rather than a human accomplishment. This aligns with the overarching theme of grace presented throughout the New Testament.

The other options miss the core message of Romans by either implying an unbiblical view of human nature or suggesting righteousness can be attained through human efforts or adherence to the law alone, which is contrary to the doctrine of justification by faith.