Romans 3:13 (KJV)

What does Romans 3:13 mean?

Romans 3:13 uses vivid word pictures to describe how people’s words can be deeply harmful and deceptive. The verse says that their speech is like an open grave, full of deceit, and compares their words to the deadly poison of snakes, showing how destructive and untrustworthy human speech can be.

Paul, the writer of Romans, is speaking to both Jewish and non-Jewish readers in Rome, explaining that everyone is guilty before God. In this verse, Paul quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures to show that the problem of sinful speech is not new. He uses strong images to highlight how deeply rooted and dangerous this problem is in all people.

The Greek behind Romans 3:13

• "Sepulchre" (τάφος, taphos): This word means a tomb or grave. By describing the throat as an "open sepulchre," Paul paints a picture of words coming from a place of death and corruption, not life.
• "Deceit" (δολιόω, dolioō): This Greek word means to trick or mislead. It emphasizes that the problem is not just harsh words, but intentionally misleading speech.
• "Poison" (ἰός, ios) and "asps" (ἀσπίς, aspis): "Iós" means venom, and "aspis" refers to a kind of venomous snake. Together, these words stress that the harm done by deceitful speech can be as dangerous as snake venom—silent but deadly.

Why Romans 3:13 matters

• Romans 3:13 clears up the idea that sin is only about actions; Paul shows that even our words can be deeply sinful and harmful.
• The verse emphasizes the seriousness of deceit and harmful speech, connecting it to images of death and poison to show the real damage words can do.
• This verse fits into Paul’s larger argument that all people, regardless of background, are in need of God’s mercy because everyone falls short—even in their speech.