Romans 3:13
“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse paints a stark picture of how destructive speech can be, not just in its intent but in its very nature. The "open grave" suggests words that are constantly consuming and rotting, while the "venom of asps" highlights the hidden, deadly, and often insidious way deceit and malice can poison relationships and reputations.
Paul is building a case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, is under the power of sin. He's already established that no one is righteous and all have fallen short of God's glory. To drive this point home, he launches into a powerful series of Old Testament quotes that paint a stark picture of humanity's corrupt speech and destructive nature when left to themselves.
The Bible doesn't pull punches when describing the destructive power of human speech. What makes our words like an 'open grave'?
Paul quotes from Psalm 5:9, describing the throat as an 'open sepulchre.' This isn't just about speaking; it's about the whole apparatus of speech, from the deepest intention to the final utterance.
What an 'Open Sepulchre' Means:
It's not just the loud, angry words that are dangerous. What's lurking 'under their lips' can be even more deadly.
The verse continues, 'they use their tongues to deceive,' and 'The venom of asps is under their lips.' This highlights the insidious nature of harmful speech.
The Poisoned Tongue:
Understand the original words
larynx · Greek Noun
The organ of speech used metaphorically to represent the source of corrupt communication. In Scripture, it is a primary vehicle through which human depravity is expressed.
taphos aneōgmenos · Greek Noun phrase
A metaphor for corruption and death emanating from within. It suggests that what proceeds from the human heart is spiritually decaying and destructive to others.
edoliousan · Greek Verb
To lead astray or induce error through falsehood. It is a fundamental activity of the sinful nature to pervert the truth for selfish gain.
ios aspidōn · Greek Noun phrase
A reference to malicious and destructive speech. It conveys the idea that words can be as lethal and poisonous as a serpent’s venom.
Paul draws on ancient Jewish Scripture, particularly the Psalms as rendered in the Septuagint, to paint a vivid picture of humanity's fallen state. He uses these powerful, even visceral, images of deceit and deadly speech to argue that no one is righteous before God, setting the stage for his explanation of salvation by grace through faith in Christ.
c. 5th-4th century BC
Septuagint Translation Completed
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, is completed. This translation becomes widely influential, especially among Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians. Paul frequently quotes from it, sometimes with slight variations.
c. 97 BC
Psalm 140 Written
The psalmist David likely wrote Psalm 140, which contains imagery of deceitful tongues and the venom of asps. This psalm expresses distress over wicked individuals who use their speech to harm others.
c. 5th century BC
Psalm 5 Written
Psalm 5 is written, using the metaphor of an 'open grave' for the throat, signifying the destructive and corrupt nature of wicked speech. This imagery is later echoed by Paul.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Jesus' public ministry, including his sharp rebukes of the religious hypocrisy of many leaders, takes place. His teachings often contrasted true righteousness with outward piety, highlighting the corruption of the heart that manifests in speech and action.
This passage is a direct source for Paul's imagery of the 'open grave' and 'deceitful tongues,' highlighting the ancient understanding of destructive speech.
Psalm 140:3This psalm provides the source for the vivid metaphor 'the poison of asps is under their lips,' emphasizing the hidden and deadly nature of malicious words.
Jeremiah 9:3-5This prophetic passage echoes the theme of destructive speech, describing people whose tongues are like arrows and whose mouths practice deceit, mirroring the warnings in Romans 3.
James 3:8-10James directly addresses the uncontrollable and destructive power of the tongue, comparing it to a small fire that can cause immense damage, reinforcing Paul's point about the pervasive sinfulness of speech.
barnesRomans 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 ... - This expression is taken from Psalm 5:9 , literally from the Septuagint. The design of the psalm is to reprove those who were false, traitorous, slanderous, etc. Psalm 5:6 . The psalmist has the sin of deceit, and falsehood, and slander particularly in his eye. The expressions here are to be interpreted in accordance with that. The sentiment here…
ellicottRomans 3:13: "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:"
(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.…
This verse paints a stark picture of how destructive speech can be, not just in its intent but in its very nature. The "open grave" suggests words that are constantly consuming and rotting, while the "venom of asps" highlights the hidden, deadly, and often insidious way deceit and malice can poison relationships and reputations.
Paul is building a case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, is under the power of sin. He's already established that no one is righteous and all have fallen short of God's glory. To drive this point home, he launches into a powerful series of Old Testament quotes that paint a stark picture of humanity's corrupt speech and destructive nature when left to themselves.
Paul is building a case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, is under the power of sin. He's already established that no one is righteous and all have fallen short of God's glory. To drive this point home, he launches into a powerful series of Old Testament quotes that paint a stark picture of humanity's corrupt speech and destructive nature when left to themselves.
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c. AD 57-59— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
The Apostle Paul, while in Corinth or Ephesus, writes his letter to the church in Rome. He is systematically explaining the gospel, demonstrating that all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, is under sin and in need of salvation through Christ.
"“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”" — This verse paints a stark picture of how destructive speech can be, not just in its intent but in its very nature. The "open grave" suggests words that are constantly consuming and rotting, while the…
