“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:13-20 ESV
The first part of this scripture passage is a scathing review of humanity based on the observations of psalmists and prophets of the Old Testament. Isaiah and King David are first-hand witnesses to the evil of the Israelites and the surrounding nations of their day. The depravity of humankind encompasses the words they speak (v.13-14), the actions they do (v. 15-16), and finally, the attitudes of their heart (v.17-18.). It seems that no part of our hearts, minds, or actions has been unstained by the harmful effects of sin; it is detrimental to ourselves and others, and most importantly, we have all offended a Holy God and His Law. The Law of God speaks and gives His final word on the matter; no one under the law (that is, all of us) has reason to boast or to be justified in any way. The law makes fools of us all by first giving us knowledge of the holy standard holding us accountable; then acts as a plumb line, showing us our works do not measure up to the righteousness of God.
If the book of Romans ended after this passage, we would be without health, help, or hope. Praise God; this is not the end of the book, nor the end of the story of God’s gracious plan to restore and redeem humanity from their permanent peril.