Throats an Open Sepulcher Romans 3:13

Paul the apostle told the Jews in Rome, “There is none righteous, no, not one:” There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God”, and he added, “they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.” In chapter three and verse thirteen of Romans, Paul shared how people are, “their throat is an open sepulcher” where we read:

Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit;

the poison of asps is under their lips:

The verse begins, “Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit;” Paul began with the words, “their throat” which means “these people's instruments or organs of speech” “is an open sepulcher” which means “is like a grave or tomb”; “with their tongues” or “these people's members of the body used for an organ of speech” “they have used deceit” or “the people employed to deceive”. Paul shared how these people used their “throats” and “tongues” for “death” and “deception” .

The verse continues, “the poison of asps is under their lips: ” Paul added the words, “the poison” which means “venom” “of asps” or “a small and most venomous serpent whose bite is fatal unless the bitten part is immediately cut away” “is under” or “beneath” “their lips” which refers to “which is their pouring place in front of the mouth”. “Venomous poison” like that which comes from “asps” pours from the “lips” of these wayward people.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he addressed the way these “unrighteous” people used their voices. “Death, deception and venom” flowed from their mouths, and though they portended “righteousness”, they were just the opposite. Jesus Christ came to extend “God's grace” or “unmerited favor” to people who are “unrighteous” and use their voices in godless ways. Let all who read these words examine their “speech” and discover the manner in which they are using the voices God gave them.

Next time Paul continues to tell the people in Rome about these unbelieving people, “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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