15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Verses 15 to 17 are sins of violence.
15 “Their feet are swift [keen] to shed blood;
Romans 3:15-17 is a quotation from Psalm 59:7-8. Psalm 59 is a lament for the nation Israel’s sins and lack of righteousness. The emphasis in this section is on deeds rather than attitudes.
This is the eleventh indictment against man.
“Feet” makes man mobile. Man has felicity to put his sinful purposes into action. Sinful people are quick to do violence to others. They carry an innate desire for murder, whether they carry it out or not. Their teaching leads to spiritual death. Some have no problem with spiritual murder.
The word “swift” has the idea of quickness to carry out their sin of destroying others. These people are keen to execute destruction on others. The long history of war validates this indictment.
Most people do not commit acts of murder but, as Jesus said, if we hate others we have murder in our hearts.
PRINCIPLE:
Our actions reflect what we believe.
APPLICATION:
Our deeds manifest what we believe. Hatred toward others is a reflection of murderous thoughts toward others.
Is 59:7, Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths.
