Romans 3:13

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Romans 3:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

Their throat is like an open place of death; with their tongues they have said what is not true: the poison of snakes is under their lips:

Free Bible Version FBV

Their throats are like an open grave; their tongues spread deceit; their lips ooze with the venom of snakes.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Their throte is an open sepulchre: they haue vsed their tongues to deceit: the poyson of aspes is vnder their lippes.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

A sepulchre opened [is] their throat; with their tongues they used deceit; poison of asps [is] under their lips.

World English Bible WEB

“Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” “The poison of vipers is under their lips.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have dealt deceitfully. The venom of asps is under their lips.

Translation for Translators T4T

What people say [MTY] is foul/bad, like the smell that comes from a grave that has been {that people have} opened [MET]. By what people say [MTY], they deceive people. By what they say [MTY] they injure people, just like the poison of snakes injures people [MET].

Plain English Version PEV

They say things that make big trouble for other people, whenever they talk, they tell lies and trick people. Their words hurt people, their mouths are just as bad as cheeky snakes.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 3:13

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 3:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ταφος ανεωγμενος ο λαρυγξ αυτων ταις γλωσσαις αυτων εδολιουσαν ιος ασπιδων υπο τα χειλη αυτων

ταφος taphos G5028 grave Noun-NSM

ανεωγμενος anoigō G455 to open Verb-RPP-NSM

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

λαρυγξ larugx G2995 throat Noun-NSM

αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM

ταις ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DPF

γλωσσαις glōssa G1100 tongue Noun-DPF

αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM

εδολιουσαν dolioō G1387 to deceive Verb-IAI-3P

ιος ios G2447 poison/rust Noun-NSM

ασπιδων aspis G785 asp Noun-GPF

υπο hupo G5259 by/under: by Prep

τα ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APN

χειλη cheilos G5491 lip Noun-APN

αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Romans 3:13

ταφος taphos G5028 "grave" Noun-NSM

Means a grave or tomb, like the one mentioned in Matthew 23:27 and 27:61. It is the physical place where a person is buried.

Definition: τάφος, -ου, ὁ (θάντω), [in LXX chiefly for קֶבֶר ;] __1. a burial (Hom., al.). __2. a grave, tomb (Res., Hdt., al.): Mat.23:27, 29 27:61, 64 27:66 28:1, Rom.3:13" (LXX) .† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: sepulchre, tomb See also: Matthew 23:27; Matthew 27:64; Romans 3:13.

ανεωγμενος anoigō G455 "to open" Verb-RPP-NSM

To open something means to make it accessible or available, like opening a door or a gate. In the Bible, this word is used literally and figuratively, such as in Acts 5:19 and Revelation 3:20.

Definition: ἀν-οίγω (ἀνά, οἴγω = οἴγνυμι) [in LXX chiefly for פָּתַח ;] to open; __1. trans., with accusative; a door or gate, Act.5:19 12:14, Rev.4:1; pass., Act.12:10 16:26-27; metaphorically of opportunity or welcome, Act.14:27, Col.4:3, Rev.3:20; pass., 1Co.16:9, 2Co.2:12, Rev.3:8; absol. (sc. θύραν), Act.5:23 12:16; with dative of person(s), Luk.12:36, Jhn.10:3; metaphorically, Mat.7:7-8 25:11, Luk.11:9-10 13:25, Rev.3:7; θησαυρούς (Sir.43:14), Mat.2:11; τ. μνημεῖα, Mat.27:52; τάφος, Rom.3:13; τ. φρέαρ, Rev.9:2; of heaven, Mat.3:16, Luk.3:21, Act.10:11, Rev.11:19 15:5 19:11; σφραγῖδα, Rev.5:9 6:1 ff. Rev.8:1; βιβλίον, βιβλαρίδιον, Luk.4:17, Rev.5:2-5 10:2, 8 20:12; τ. στόμα, Mat.17:27; id. Hebraistically (Num.22:28, Job.3:1, Isa.50:5, al.), of beginning to speak, Mat.5:2, Act.8:32, 35 10:34 18:14; before εἰς βλαιφημίας, Rev.13:6; ἐν παραβολαῖς (Psa.78:2), Mat.13:35; of recovering speech, Luk.1:64; of the earth opening, Rev.12:16; τ. ὀφθαλμoύς, Act.9:8, 40; id. with genitive of person(s), of restoring sight, Mat.9:30 20:33, Jhn.9:1ff; 10.21, 11:37ff ; metaphorically, Act.26:18; ἀκοάς, with genitive of person(s), of restoring hearing, Mrk.7:35. __2. Intrans. in 2 pf., ἀνέῳγα (M, Pr., 154); heaven, Jhn.1:51; τ. στόμα, before πρός, of speaking freely, 2Co.6:11 (cf. δι-ανοίγω and see MM, VGT, 45).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 75 NT verses. KJV: open See also: 1 Corinthians 16:9; Luke 13:25; Revelation 3:7.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

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.

λαρυγξ larugx G2995 "throat" Noun-NSM

The throat or larynx is the passage for air and food, mentioned in Romans 3:13. It can also refer to speech or the voice. This term is used to describe the physical and metaphorical aspects of communication.

Definition: λάρυγξ, -γγος, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for חֵךְ, Job.6:30, al; Psa.5:9 (גָּרוֹן) ;] the larynx, throat: metaphorically, of speech (cf. Sir.6:5), Rom.3:13" (LXX) .† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: throat See also: Romans 3:13.

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.

ταις ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DPF

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'.

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.

γλωσσαις glōssa G1100 "tongue" Noun-DPF

The tongue refers to the organ of speech, as seen in Mark 7:33 and 35. It can also mean a language, such as in Acts 2:11. The Bible talks about the tongue as a powerful tool for communication and expression.

Definition: γλῶσσα, -ης, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for לָשׁוֹן ;] __1. the tongue, as the organ of speech: Mrk.7:33, 35 Luk.1:64 16:24, Act.2:26" (LXX), Rom.3:13 (LXX) 14:11 (LXX), 1Co.14:9, Php.2:11, Jas.1:26 3:5, 6 8, 1Pe.3:10" (LXX), 1Jo.3:18, Rev.16:10; of a tongue-like object, Act.2:3. __2. a tongue, language: Act.2:11; joined with φυλή, λαός, ἔθνος, frequently in pl., Rev.5:9 7:9 10:11 11:9 13:7 14:6 17:15; λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γ., Act.2:4; γ. λαλεῖν καιναῖς, WH, txt. (RV, mg., omit καιναῖς), Mrk.16:17; λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, γλώσσῃ (see ICC, ll. with; DB, iv, 793ff.), Mrk.16:17, WH, txt., R, mg., Act.10:46 19:6, 1Co.12:30 13:1 14:2, 4-6, 13, 18, 23, 27, 39; γλῶσσαι (= λόγοι ἐν γλώσσῃ, 1Co.14:19), 1Co.13:8 14:22; γένη γλωσσῶν, 1Co.12:10, 28; προσεύχεσθαι γλώσσῃ, 1Co.14:14; γλῶσσαν ἔχειν, 1Co.14:26 (Cremer, 163, 679).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 47 NT verses. KJV: tongue See also: 1 Corinthians 12:10; Acts 2:11; 1 Peter 3:10.

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'.

εδολιουσαν dolioō G1387 "to deceive" Verb-IAI-3P

To deceive means to trick or mislead someone, often using dishonest methods, as seen in Romans 3:13. This word is about using deceit to achieve a goal. It is considered a negative action in the Bible.

Definition: δολιόω (δόλιος), [in LXX: Num.25:18, Psa.105:25 (נָכַל), Psa.5:6 (חָלַק hi.) * ;] to deceive: ἐδολιοῦσαν (-σαν, frequently in κοινή Gk. for imperfect 3rd of person(s) pl.), Rom.3:13 (LXX).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: use deceit See also: Romans 3:13.

ιος ios G2447 "poison/rust" Noun-NSM

This word means 'poison' or 'rust', as in James 5:3, where it refers to corroded metal. It can also mean 'venom', like snake poison, as seen in Romans 3:13 and James 3:8.

Definition: ἰός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX: Eze.24:6, 11-12 (חֶלְאָה), Psa.140:3 (חֵמָה), al. ;] __1. an arrow. __2. rust (Ez, l.with): Jas.5:3 (cf. MM, Exp., xv). __3. poison: figuratively, Rom.3:13 (Ps. l.with), Jas.3:8.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: poison, rust See also: James 3:8; James 5:3; Romans 3:13.

ασπιδων aspis G785 "asp" Noun-GPF

The asp is a type of venomous snake, mentioned in Romans 3:13. It is a deadly creature that coils itself and attacks. In biblical times, it was a symbol of danger and harm.

Definition: ἀσπίς, -ίδος, ἡ [in LXX for פֶּתֶן, etc. ;] an asp: Rom.3:13.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: asp See also: Romans 3:13.

υπο hupo G5259 "by/under: by" Prep

Under or by something, like under a person's authority, as in Matthew 8:9, or under a place, as in Luke 7:8.

Definition: ὑπό (before smooth breathing ὑπ᾽, Mat.8:9b, Luk.7:8b; before rough breathing ὑφ᾽, Rom.3:9; on the neglect of elision in Mt, Lk, ll. witha, Gal.3:22, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., iv), prep. with genitive, dative (not in NT), accusative __I. C. genitive, primarily of place, under, hence, metaphorically, of the efficient cause, by: after passive verbs, with genitive of person(s), Mat.1:22, Mrk.1:5, Luk.2:18, Jhn.14:21, Act.4:11, 1Co.1:11, Heb.3:4, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Mat.8:24, Luk.7:24, Rom.3:21, al.; with neut. verbs and verbs with pass, meaning, Mat.17:12, Mrk.5:26, 1Co.10:9, 10 1Th.2:14, al. __II. C. accusative, under; __1. of motion: Mat.5:15 8:8, Mrk.4:21, Luk.13:34; hence, metaphorically, of subjection, Rom.7:14, 1Co.15:27, Gal.3:22, 1Pe.5:6, al. __2. Of position: Jhn.1:49, Act.4:12, Rom.3:13, 1Co.10:1, al.; hence, metaphorically, under, subject to, Mat.8:9, Rom.3:9, 1Co.9:20, Gal.4:5, al. __3. Of time, about: Act.5:21. __III. In composition: under (ὑποδέω), hence, of subjection (ὑποτάσσω), compliance (ὑπακούω), secrecy (ὑποβάλλω), diminution (ὑποπνέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 209 NT verses. KJV: among, by, from, in, of, under, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:11; Hebrews 2:3; 1 Peter 2:4.

τα ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APN

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'.

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.

χειλη cheilos G5491 "lip" Noun-APN

The Greek word for lip refers to the edge of something, like the lip of a cup or the shore of the sea, as seen in Matthew 15:8 and Hebrews 11:12. It can also mean the margin of a body of water. This concept is used figuratively in the Bible to describe speech and communication.

Definition: χεῖλος, -ους, τό, genitive pl., -εων (see Bl., § 8, 4; Thackeray, Gr., I, 151), [in LXX chiefly for שָׂפָה ;] a lip (as in Heb., of the lip as the organ of speech): Mat.15:8, Mrk.7:6, Rom.3:13, 1Co.14:21, Heb.13:15, 1Pe.3:10" (LXX) . Metaphorical, of things, an edge, brink, etc. (Hom., Hdt., al.): of the seashore, Heb.11:12.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: lip, shore See also: 1 Corinthians 14:21; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 3:10.

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'.

Study Notes — Romans 3:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Romans 3:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Romans 3:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 3:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 3:13
Trapp's Commentary on Romans 3:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 3:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 3:13
Cambridge Bible on Romans 3:13
Barnes' Notes on Romans 3:13
Whedon's Commentary on Romans 3:13
Sermons on Romans 3:13

Context — There Is No One Righteous

11There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

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

14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 5:9	For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.
2	Psalms 140:3	They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
3	Matthew 23:27–28	Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
4	Psalms 57:4	My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
5	Jeremiah 9:3–5	“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.
6	Isaiah 59:3	For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice.
7	Psalms 52:2	Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
8	Ezekiel 13:7	Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?
9	James 3:5–8	In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
10	Matthew 12:34–35	You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

Romans 3:13 Summary

[This verse, Romans 3:13, is saying that when people don't know God, their words can be very hurtful and damaging to others, like a poisonous snake bite. It's like their words are 'open graves' that can bring death and destruction. As believers, we need to be careful with our words and make sure they are filled with love and kindness, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29, rather than hatred and deceit. By speaking the truth in love, we can bring life and healing to those around us, rather than harm and destruction.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for 'their throats to be open graves'?

This phrase, found in Romans 3:13, means that the words coming out of their mouths are harmful and destructive, bringing death and ruin to those who hear them, much like the effects of Psalm 52:2, where the tongue is used to devise destruction.

How can I avoid having 'the venom of vipers' on my lips?

To avoid having the venom of vipers on your lips, as mentioned in Romans 3:13, it's essential to fill your heart with God's Word, as stated in Psalm 119:11, and to speak the truth in love, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:15, so that your words bring life and edification to others.

Is this verse saying that all people are completely evil?

Romans 3:13 is part of a larger passage, Romans 3:9-20, that describes the universal sinfulness of humanity, but it's not saying that people are completely evil; rather, it highlights the depth of our sinful nature and our need for redemption through Jesus Christ, as seen in Romans 5:8.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible's teaching on the tongue?

The Bible has a lot to say about the power of the tongue, and Romans 3:13 fits into this larger theme, as seen in James 1:26 and James 3:6-10, which warn about the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue and encourage believers to use their words to build up and bless others, not to tear them down.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I might be using my words to hurt or deceive others, and how can I repent and change my behavior?
How can I cultivate a heart that speaks truth and life, rather than deceit and destruction, in my interactions with others?
In what ways do I need to examine my own speech and attitudes, in light of Romans 3:13, and seek the Holy Spirit's help to transform them?
What would it look like for me to use my words to bring healing and hope to those around me, rather than 'venom' and hurt?

Gill's Exposition on Romans 3:13

Their throat is an open sepulchre,.... The several vices of the instruments of speech are here, and in the following verse, exposed: "the throat" is said to "be an open sepulchre", as in Psalms 5:9,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 3:13

Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Their throat is an open sepulchre (Psalms 5:9): q.d., 'What proceeds out of their

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 3:13

Their throat is an open sepulchre; he proceeds to instance in the corruption of man with respect to the members of his body; and he mentions the organs of speech in four several expressions, much to the same purpose: the first is allegorical, taken out of , upon which see the annotations. With their tongues they have used deceit; this text doth plainly express the corruption of the tongue, because of lies, calumnies, perjuries, flatteries; and it is taken out of . The poison of asps is under their lips: the third expression is allegorical, as the first, taken out of , upon which see the annotations.

Trapp's Commentary on Romans 3:13

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Ver. 13. The poison of the asps] Of that sort of asps that spit their venom far from them upon the bystanders. (πρυαδες.) There is a great deal of such vermin and venom in that newly found world of wickedness, the tongue, James 3:6. It is easy to observe that St Paul here, making the anatomy of a natural man, stands more on the organs of speaking than all other members, and showeth how his tongue is tipped with fraud, his lips tainted with venom, his mouth full of gall, his throat a gaping grave, his tongue as a rapier to run men through with, and his throat as a sepulchre to bury them in. As for the asp, they write of her, That whereas her poison is so deadly, that the part infected cannot be cured but by cutting off, succurrit periclitantibus benignior natura, et noxiosissimo animali caliginosos obtutus dedit. (Jo. Wover.) Aspidi (saith Pliny, viii. 23) hebetes oculi dati, eosque non in fronte, sed in temporibus habet.

Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 3:13

(13) Their throat is an open sepulchre—i.e., their speech is at once corrupt and corrupting. It is compared to a “yawning grave”—not merely to a pit into which a man may fall, but to a sort of pestiferous chasm yawning and ravening, as it were, after its prey. They have used deceit.—Strictly, they were deceiving; a continued action brought up to the present time. Under their lips.—As the poison-bag of the serpent is directly under the kind of tooth by which its venom is discharged.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 3:13

Verse 13. Their throat is an open sepulchre] This and all the following verses to the end of the 18th Romans 3:13-18 are found in the Septuagint, but not in the Hebrew text; and it is most evident that it was from this version that the apostle quoted, as the verses cannot be found in any other place with so near an approximation to the apostle's meaning and words. The verses in question, however, are not found in the Alexandrian MS. But they exist in the Vulgate, the AEthiopic, and the Arabic. As the most ancient copies of the Septuagint do not contain these verses, some contend that the apostle has quoted them from different parts of Scripture; and later transcribers of the Septuagint, finding that the 10th, 11th, and 12th, verses were quoted from the xivth Psalm, Psalms 14:3 imagined that the rest were found originally there too, and so incorporated them in their copies, from the apostle's text. Their throat is an open sepulchre-By their malicious and wicked words they bury, as it were, the reputation of all men. The whole of this verse appears to belong to their habit of lying, defamation, slandering, &c., by which they wounded, blasted, and poisoned the reputation of others.

Cambridge Bible on Romans 3:13

13. an open sepulchre] Perhaps as “uttering abomination.” “Emitting the noisome exhalations of a putrid heart (Bp Home on Psalms 5:9).

Barnes' Notes on Romans 3:13

Their throat ... - This expression is taken from Psalms 5:9, literally from the Septuagint. The design of the psalm is to reprove those who were false, traitorous, slanderous, etc. Psalms 5:6.

Whedon's Commentary on Romans 3:13

13. An open sepulchre—As swallowing the once living; and, like the whited sepulchres of the Saviour’s words, full of dead men’s bones.

Sermons on Romans 3:13

	Sermon	Description
	Our Adversary the Devil and His Angels by Keith Daniel	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the second coming of the Lord Jesus and the ultimate defeat of Satan. He quotes over 400 verses, discussing topics such as the revelation of
	God's Special Treasure by Chuck Smith	This sermon emphasizes the concept of believers being treasured by God, likened to jewels in His sight. It explores the idea of God valuing His children so much that He considers t
	The Biblical Theology of the Tongue by Mack Tomlinson	This sermon delves into the biblical theology of the tongue, emphasizing the power of words to either speak truth or error, highlighting the struggle with words that we all face. I
	The Third Commandment by A.W. Pink	A.W. Pink emphasizes the gravity of the Third Commandment, which instructs believers not to take the name of the Lord in vain. He explains that this commandment calls for sincere,
	(The Full Gospel) 5. That Which Was From the Beginning by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of life and fellowship as the core essence of Christianity, emphasizing that these were the foundational aspects from the beginning of time an
	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
	In My Flesh Shall I See God by C.H. Spurgeon	The preacher delves into the significance of the Greek word 'taphos,' often used in the New Testament to refer to literal burial places but also figuratively by Paul to describe de