Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Total Depravity?
17 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Total Depravity in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about total depravity. This collection of 18 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 10 Verses About Total Depravity
- 1Genesis 6:5
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. every: or, the whole imagination: the Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires continually: Heb. every day”
KJV - 2Psalms 51:5
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. conceive: Heb. warm me”
KJV - 3Psalms 58:3
“The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. as soon: Heb. from the belly”
KJV - 4Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
KJV - 5Jeremiah 13:23
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. accustomed: Heb. taught”
KJV - 6
- 7John 6:44
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
KJV - 8John 6:65
“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”
KJV - 9
- 10Romans 3:12
“They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one .”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Total Depravity? (6 Verses)
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. every: or, the whole imagination: the Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires continually: Heb. every day”
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. conceive: Heb. warm me”
“The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. as soon: Heb. from the belly”
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. accustomed: Heb. taught”
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Total Depravity? (11 Verses)
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
“They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one .”
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
“Wherefore , as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: for that: or, in whom”
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. the carnal: Gr. the minding of the flesh”
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. desires: Gr. wills”
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: blindness: or, hardness”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Total Depravity
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about total depravity. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about total depravity and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about total depravity is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on total depravity needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about total depravity with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about total depravity, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Total Depravity?
You have studied 17 verses about total depravity. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.