Romans 3:13

KJV

Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips:

KJV (with Strong's)

Their {G846} throat {G2995} is an open {G455} sepulchre {G5028}; with their {G846} tongues {G1100} they have used deceit {G1387}; the poison {G2447} of asps {G785} is under {G5259} their {G846} lips {G5491}:

Complete Jewish Bible

“Their throats are open graves,
they use their tongues to deceive.
Vipers’ venom is under their lips.

Berean Standard Bible

“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

American Standard Version

Their throat is an open sepulchre; With their tongues they have used deceit: The poison of asps is under their lips:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 3:13 serves as a stark indictment of universal human depravity, particularly focusing on the corruption of human speech. Drawing on Old Testament imagery, Paul vividly portrays the destructive and deceitful nature of words originating from an unregenerate heart, likening the throat to a decaying tomb and the tongue's pronouncements to the deadly venom of a serpent, thereby underscoring the pervasive reach of sin into every aspect of human interaction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial component of Paul's extended argument in [Romans 1-3](/romans/1 "Romans 1-3 - Humanity's Universal Sinfulness"), where he systematically demonstrates the universal sinfulness of both Gentiles and Jews. Paul's method here is to synthesize various Old Testament passages, primarily from the Psalms and Isaiah, to construct a comprehensive theological case for human depravity. [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - Paul's Quotations on Human Sin") is a catena of scriptural citations, and [Romans 3:13](/romans/3-13 "Romans 3:13 - The Corruption of Speech") specifically draws from [Psalm 5:9](/psalms/5-9 "Psalm 5:9 - The Deceitful Mouth") (regarding the throat as an open sepulchre) and [Psalm 140:3](/psalms/140-3 "Psalm 140:3 - The Poison of Asps") (concerning the poison of asps under the lips). These citations are not merely illustrative but serve as authoritative proof texts to establish the pervasive nature of sin, leading to Paul's climactic declaration in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, rhetoric and speech were highly valued, often seen as indicators of character and wisdom. However, Paul subverts this notion by revealing how even the most esteemed human faculty, speech, is utterly corrupted by sin. The imagery of an "open sepulchre" would have evoked strong connotations of death, decay, ritual impurity, and a repulsive stench in both Jewish and Roman cultures. Tombs were places of defilement ([Numbers 19:16](/numbers/19-16 "Numbers 19:16 - Impurity from a Corpse")), and an "open" one suggested an active source of uncleanness and horror. Similarly, "asps" (likely referring to a cobra or similar venomous snake common in the ancient Near East) were universally feared for their deadly venom, symbolizing treachery and fatal harm. Paul uses these culturally resonant images to shock his audience into recognizing the profound spiritual sickness that infects humanity's very means of communication.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Romans and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **universality of sin**, demonstrating that depravity is not limited to specific groups but infects all humanity, making salvation necessary for everyone. The vivid imagery underscores the **inner depravity manifested outwardly**, showing how the corruption of the heart inevitably expresses itself through destructive and deceitful words. This emphasizes that sin is not merely a matter of external actions but a deep-seated spiritual sickness. Furthermore, the verse vividly portrays the **deadly nature of sin**, likening sinful speech to a "sepulchre" and "poison," which signifies its capacity to inflict spiritual death and profound harm, not only upon others but also upon the speaker. This prepares the ground for Paul's subsequent exposition of God's righteous solution to sin through Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **throat (Greek, _lárynx'_):** This word refers to the physical organ of the throat, the passage through which words are formed and emitted. In this context, it is used metaphorically as the source or conduit of speech. The comparison to an "open sepulchre" immediately imbues the very origin of human words with the qualities of death, decay, and defilement, suggesting that what issues forth from the natural human heart is inherently corrupt and putrid.
* **used deceit (Greek, _dolióō'_)::** Derived from a word meaning "guileful," this verb describes the act of employing cunning, trickery, or treachery in one's speech. It goes beyond simple falsehood to imply an intentional, malicious intent to mislead, harm, or ensnare others through words. This highlights the active and deliberate nature of sinful communication, where the tongue is not merely mistaken but purposefully deceptive.
* **poison (Greek, _iós'_):** This term can refer to rust (as emitted by metals) or, as in this context, venom (as emitted by serpents). The comparison of deceitful words to "poison" underscores their lethal, destructive, and corrupting power. Just as venom infiltrates the body and brings about death, so too do malicious and deceptive words infiltrate relationships and society, causing spiritual and relational devastation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their throat [is] an open sepulchre":** This striking metaphor, drawn from [Psalm 5:9](/psalms/5-9 "Psalm 5:9 - The Deceitful Mouth"), paints a gruesome picture. A sepulchre (tomb) is associated with death, decay, and uncleanness. An "open" sepulchre implies something actively emitting foulness, stench, and defilement. Applied to the throat, the very source of speech, it suggests that human communication, left to its natural inclinations, is inherently putrid, spiritually dead, and a source of corruption, rather than life or purity. It is not merely passive but actively exhales spiritual death and moral decay.
* **"with their tongues they have used deceit":** This clause directly identifies the specific sin of the tongue: deceit. The tongue, the primary instrument of speech, is actively employed in guile and trickery. This is not accidental error but a deliberate intention to mislead, manipulate, or harm through words. It points to the active agency of the unregenerate heart in wielding speech as a weapon of falsehood and treachery.
* **"the poison of asps [is] under their lips":** Echoing [Psalm 140:3](/psalms/140-3 "Psalm 140:3 - The Poison of Asps"), this final image intensifies the destructive nature of sinful speech. Asps are highly venomous snakes whose bite is deadly. The "poison... under their lips" suggests a hidden, insidious malice, a venomous intent concealed beneath the surface of speech, ready to be unleashed. It emphasizes that the words spoken by the unregenerate are not merely harmful but lethal, capable of inflicting profound and even fatal damage, spiritually and relationally.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 3:13 is rich with powerful **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, drawing on the visceral and universally understood concepts of death, decay, and lethal venom. The comparison of the "throat" to an "open sepulchre" is a vivid **Metaphor** that immediately evokes disgust and a sense of profound spiritual defilement, suggesting that the very source of human utterance is a fount of corruption. This is further amplified by the **Metaphor** of "the poison of asps" under the lips, which uses the well-known deadliness of snake venom to illustrate the insidious and fatal impact of deceitful words. The phrase "under their lips" also employs **Synecdoche**, where "lips" represent the entire act of speaking, while simultaneously suggesting a hidden, lurking danger. The cumulative effect of these devices is a powerful **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the destructive nature of sinful speech to underscore the depth of human depravity and the urgent need for divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 3:13 profoundly contributes to the biblical doctrine of total depravity, asserting that sin has permeated every facet of human existence, including our most fundamental means of communication. It reveals that the problem of sin is not merely external actions but an internal corruption of the heart that expresses itself through the tongue. This verse, therefore, highlights the impossibility of self-salvation, as even our words, which should be instruments of truth and blessing, are tainted by deceit and malice. It underscores the universal need for a radical transformation, a new creation, that can only be accomplished by God's grace through faith in Christ. Without such divine intervention, human speech remains a conduit for spiritual death and moral decay, a testament to humanity's fallen state.

* [Psalm 5:9](/psalms/5-9 "Psalm 5:9 - The Deceitful Mouth")
* [Psalm 140:3](/psalms/140-3 "Psalm 140:3 - The Poison of Asps")
* [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 3:13 serves as a sobering mirror, compelling us to examine the true nature and impact of our own words. It challenges the common misconception that words are harmless, revealing them instead as powerful conduits for either life or death, blessing or cursing. If our natural inclination is to speak deceit and venom, then our hearts are indeed in desperate need of divine transformation. This verse calls us to profound humility, recognizing that our greatest struggle often lies not in grand actions but in the seemingly small, daily utterances of our tongues. It beckons us to pray for a renewed heart, one that produces words that are gracious, truthful, and life-giving, rather than destructive. Only through the indwelling Holy Spirit can our tongues, once instruments of sin, become instruments of righteousness, reflecting the character of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own speech, even unintentionally, reflect the "open sepulchre" or "poison of asps" described in this verse?**
* **How does understanding the inherent depravity of speech, as taught in Romans 3:13, change my approach to communication with others?**
* **What practical steps can I take to allow the Holy Spirit to transform my tongue into an instrument of grace and truth?**

### FAQ
**Does Romans 3:13 mean that all human speech is inherently evil and beyond redemption?**

Answer: Romans 3:13, in its context within [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - Paul's Quotations on Human Sin"), describes the state of humanity *apart from Christ*. It emphasizes the pervasive nature of sin, which corrupts every faculty, including speech. It does not mean that every single word spoken by a human is evil, but rather that the natural inclination and source of human speech, without divine intervention, is tainted by sin and prone to deceit and destruction. For those who are in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins a transformative work that extends to their speech, enabling them to speak words that are redemptive, truthful, and edifying ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Edifying Speech")). However, even believers still contend with the lingering effects of sin, making vigilance over the tongue a lifelong spiritual discipline ([James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - Taming the Tongue")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 3:13, with its grim portrayal of the corrupt human tongue, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While humanity's throat is an "open sepulchre" and its lips harbor "the poison of asps," Christ's mouth was a fount of life, truth, and grace. He "spoke as one who had authority, and not as their scribes" ([Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus' Authority in Teaching")), and "grace was poured upon His lips" ([Psalm 45:2](/psalms/45-2 "Psalm 45:2 - Grace on His Lips"), prophetically applied). He never used deceit, nor was there any poison under His lips; rather, He spoke words of eternal life ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")) and truth that set people free ([John 8:32](/john/8-32 "John 8:32 - The Truth Sets Free")). Furthermore, Christ's death on the cross, the ultimate act of self-giving love, atoned for the sin that corrupts our speech, including every deceitful word and every venomous utterance. Through His resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to put off the old self with its corrupt speech and put on the new self, whose words are now to be used for edification and blessing, reflecting the very character of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Thus, what was condemned in [Romans 3:13](/romans/3-13 "Romans 3:13 - The Corruption of Speech") finds its redemption and transformation in Christ, who cleanses not only our hearts but also the very words that flow from them.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 5:9

For [there is] no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part [is] very wickedness; their throat [is] an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

Psalms 140:3

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.

Matthew 23:27

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness.

Matthew 23:28

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Psalms 57:4

My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Jeremiah 9:3

And they bend their tongues [like] their bow [for] lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:5

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.