Devine Scripture

Romans 3:13

What does Romans 3:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:13 means

Sin shows itself in speech. Paul pictures the throat as an open grave, suggesting death and corruption lying beneath polite surfaces. The tongue deceives, and venom lies under the lips, ready to harm. Words reveal the heart’s condition and spread destruction. This is not a judgment on one culture or group but a human reality: language meant to bless God and neighbor becomes a tool for manipulation and malice. The imagery warns us that sin is not only in outrageous acts but also in ordinary talk. In God’s sight, lies and slander are not small faults; they are symptoms of a deep disorder needing redemption.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

A sepulchre opened <FI>is<Fi> their throat; with their tongues they used deceit; poison of asps <FI>is<Fi> under their lips.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

After asserting universal waywardness, Paul turns to the evidence found in human speech (verses 13–14). By drawing on vivid Old Testament images, he demonstrates that depravity is not only private but public—heard in our words. This prepares for the move to violent actions in verses 15–17, showing sin’s progression from heart to mouth to hands and feet. Verse 18 will then expose the root cause: a lack of the fear of God. With this comprehensive case established, verses 19–20 explain that the law speaks to those under it, silencing all self-defense. That paves the way for God’s gracious provision in Christ (verses 21–26).

v.12They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not so much as one:

v.13This passage

v.14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 9:3

    And they bend their tongue, as it were their bow, for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith Jehovah.

  • Psalms 12:3

    Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh great things;

  • 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 52:2

    Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

  • Romans 3:4

    God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.

  • Psalms 36:3

    The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: He hath ceased to be wise and to do good.

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