Romans 3:13–18

Summary: the unrighteousness of all people

Support from Scripture

13 “Their throats are open graves;

their tongues practice deceit.” 

“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”

14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 ruin and misery mark their ways,

17 and the way of peace they do not know.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

A lack of understanding, or a profound misunderstanding, reflects itself in what people say, and the tongue betrays the evil that lurks in the sinner’s mind and heart:

“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.”

“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”

“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” Wrong thoughts and deceitful words lead to wicked and often violent actions: “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” 

All these deplorable situations are traceable to a common root cause: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”