Romans 3:14-18
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This isn't just about rude language; "bitterness" here points to a deep-seated malice and cruelty directed toward others, stemming from an internal wellspring of ungodliness. It highlights how sin corrupts not only our thoughts but also our very speech, turning our words into weapons of destruction.
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, falls short of God's perfect standard because all are under the power of sin. He's quoting from various Old Testament passages to show that this isn't just a problem for some people, but a deep-seated issue with humanity itself. This verse highlights how sin corrupts even our speech, filling it with venomous words against God and others, a stark contrast to righteousness.
Ever notice how anger or frustration can just spill out of your mouth? Paul hits hard on this idea, showing us that our words are a direct window into our hearts.
Paul quotes from the Old Testament to paint a stark picture of human nature apart from God's grace. This verse, "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness," isn't just about a few bad words; it's about a deep-seated corruption.
The Heart's Outflow
Jesus himself said, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, but out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45). This verse in Romans shows us that 'evil treasure' at work. The 'curses' speak to harsh, destructive language, perhaps even directed at God. The 'bitterness' points to a deep-seated resentment, malice, and ill-will towards others.
Not Just an Outburst
This isn't a temporary lapse in judgment but a consistent state. The phrase "full of" suggests that such language saturates their speech. It's what naturally flows when the heart is unregenerate and turned inward.
What's the difference between 'cursing' and 'bitterness' in our speech? Paul isn't just using synonyms; he's describing two distinct, yet connected, ways ungodly hearts express themselves.
The Old Testament sources Paul draws from highlight a dual nature of sinful speech:
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Cursing: The Outward Rebellion
'Curses' here often refer to language that defies or maligns God, or speaks ill of others with malice. It's the expression of defiance and anger, a verbal lashing out that rejects divine authority or personal relationships.
Bitterness: The Inner Reservoir
'Bitterness' speaks to a deep, internal disposition of resentment, hatred, and malice. It's the poison that brews in the heart and fuels the harsh words. This bitterness can be directed towards God for perceived injustices, or towards fellow humans.
Together, they paint a picture of speech that is both rebellious against God and destructive towards people. It's a sign of a heart that is fundamentally at odds with God and humanity.
Understand the original words
pikrias · Greek Noun
Expressions of ill-will, resentment, or a harsh, malicious spirit. It reflects an internal corruption that manifests in hostile interactions with others.
haima ekcheai · Greek Verb phrase
The act of killing or murder. It is used in Scripture to demonstrate the extreme extent of human malice and the complete disregard for the image of God in others.
syntrimma · Greek Noun
Destruction, devastation, or crushing; frequently used in the Bible to describe the ultimate outcome of a life lived in rebellion against God.
talaipōria · Greek Noun
Distress, unhappiness, or affliction; refers to the wretched state of existence resulting from sin and separation from the Creator.
eirēnē · Greek Noun
Hebrew concept of 'shalom', signifying not just absence of conflict, but wholeness, harmony, welfare, and right relationship with God and others.
phobos tou Theou · Greek Noun
A reverential awe, respect, and submission toward God; a foundational posture of the heart that recognizes His holiness, authority, and sovereignty.
This passage is directly quoted and expanded upon in Romans 3, highlighting how the original description of wicked enemies mirrors the Apostle Paul's point about universal sinfulness.
Jeremiah 2:19This verse describes sin as an 'evil and bitter thing,' echoing the concept of 'bitterness' used in Romans 3 to characterize the corrupt speech and inner disposition of sinful humanity.
Matthew 12:34Jesus states that 'out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,' providing the foundational principle for why Paul points to the mouth's 'cursing and bitterness' as evidence of a deeply corrupted inner state.
James 3:8-10James powerfully illustrates the destructive and unholy nature of the tongue, directly connecting to Paul's depiction of the mouth being 'full of cursing and bitterness' as a manifestation of an untamed, sinful nature.
barnesRomans 3:14: "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:"
Whose mouth - Psalm 10:7 . The apostle has not quoted this literally, but has given the sense. David in the psalm is describing his bitter enemies. Cursing - Reproachful and opprobrious language, such as Shimei used in relation to David; 2 Samuel 16:5, 2 Samuel 16:7-8. Bitterness - In the psalm, deceits. The word "bitterness" is used to denote severity, harshness, cruelty; reproachful and malicious words.
henryRomans 3:9-18: "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;"
3:9-18 Here again is shown that all mankind are under the guilt of sin, as a burden; and under the government and dominion of sin, as enslaved to it, to work wickedness. This is made plain by several passages of Scripture from the Old Testament, which describe the corrupt and depraved state of all men, till grace restrain or change them. Great as ou…
This isn't just about rude language; "bitterness" here points to a deep-seated malice and cruelty directed toward others, stemming from an internal wellspring of ungodliness. It highlights how sin corrupts not only our thoughts but also our very speech, turning our words into weapons of destruction.
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, falls short of God's perfect standard because all are under the power of sin. He's quoting from various Old Testament passages to show that this isn't just a problem for some people, but a deep-seated issue with humanity itself. This verse highlights how sin corrupts even our speech, filling it with venomous words against God and others, a stark contrast to righteousness.
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, falls short of God's perfect standard because all are under the power of sin. He's quoting from various Old Testament passages to show that this isn't just a problem for some people, but a deep-seated issue with humanity itself. This verse highlights how sin corrupts even our speech, filling it with venomous words against God and others, a stark contrast to righteousness.
"“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”" — This isn't just about rude language; "bitterness" here points to a deep-seated malice and cruelty directed toward others, stemming from an internal wellspring of ungodliness. It highlights how sin co…
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Last reviewed October 2026
