Romans 3:13

“Their throat is an open sepulchre, etc..] The several vices of the instruments of speech are here, and in the following verse, exposed: “the throat” is said to “be an open sepulchre”, as in (<190509>Psalm 5:9), so called, for its voracity and insatiableness; both as an instrument of speech, for the words of the wicked are devouring ones; and as an instrument of swallowing, and so may denote the sinner's eager desire after sin, the delight and pleasure he takes in it, the abundance of it he takes in, and his insatiable greediness for it; likewise for its filthy stench, the communication of evil men being corrupt; and because, as by an open grave, persons may fall unawares to their hurt, so…”

“Their, &c.--From generals, the apostle here comes to particulars, culling from different parts of Scripture passages which speak of depravity as it affects the different members of the body; as if to show more affectingly how "from the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness" in us. throat is an open sepulchre-- (Psa 5:9); that is, "What proceeds out of their heart, and finds vent in speech and action through the throat, is like the pestilential breath of an open grave." with their tongues they have used deceit-- (Psa 5:9); that is, "That tongue which is man's glory (Psa 16:9; Psa 57:8) is prostituted to the purposes of deception." the poison of asps is under their lips--…”

“Their throat ... - This expression is taken from Psalms 5:9, literally from the Septuagint. The design of the psalm is to reprove those who were false, traitorous, slanderous, etc. Psalms 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 may be, as the grave is ever open to receive all into it, that is, into destruction, so the mouth or the throat of the slanderer is ever open to swallow up the peace and happiness of all. Or it may mean, as from an open sepulchre there proceeds an offensive and pestilential vapor, so from the mouths of slanderous persons there…”

“Their throat - Is noisome and dangerous as an open sepulchre. Observe the progress of evil discourse, proceeding out of the heart, through the throat, tongue, lips, till the whole mouth is filled therewith. The poison of asps - Infectious, deadly backbiting, tale - bearing, evil - speaking, is under (for honey is on) their lips. An asp is a venomous kind of serpent. Psa 5:9; Psa 140:3. Romans 3:14”

“3:13-14 Paul here refers to sins of speech, mentioning a different organ of speech in each of the four lines (talk in 3:13 is literally throat).”

“throat: Psa 5:9; Jer 5:16; Mat 23:27, Mat 23:28 with their: Rom 3:4; Psa 5:9, Psa 12:3, Psa 12:4, Psa 36:3, Psa 52:2, Psa 57:4; Isa 59:3; Jer 9:3-5; Eze 13:7; Mat 12:34, Mat 12:35; Jam 3:5-8 the poison: Deu 32:33; Job 20:14-16; Psa 140:3 Romans 3:14”