Total depravity

Total depravity is the doctrine that, as a consequence of the Fall, every person is morally corrupt, enslaved to sin and, apart from the grace of God, utterly unable to choose to follow God or turn to Christ in faith for salvation.

Depravity of mankind (every man) is total

1Ki 8:46 (cf. 2Ch 6:36); Ps 14:1–3 (cf. Ps 53:1–3); Ps 116:11; 130:3; 143:2; Pr 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Isa 53:6; 64:6–7; Jer 2:29; Mic 7:2; Mk 10:18 (cf. Lk 18:19); Jn 8:7; Ro 3:9–18, 23; 5:12–14; 11:32; 1Jn 1:8, 10

Depravity of each man is total

Ge 6:5; Ps 5:9; 10:4; 36:1–2; Pr 4:19; 14:12; 21:10; Ecc 8:11; 9:3; Isa 1:5–6; 32:6; 64:6; Jer 2:22; 17:9; Mic 7:2–4; Mt 15:19; Mk 7:21–23; Eph 2:1–2; Tit 1:15–16

Depravity begins at birth/childhood

Ge 8:21; Ps 51:5; 58:3; Pr 22:15; Isa 48:8

Unregenerate man cannot not sin (non posse non peccare)

1Sa 24:13; Job 14:4; 15:14–16; Jer 13:23; Mt 7:18; 12:34; Jn 3:6; 8:34; 15:5; Ro 7:18; 8:7–8

Unregenerate man cannot hear or believe

Jn 6:44, 65; 8:43; 10:26; 12:39–40 (cf. Mt 13:14–15; cites Isa 6:10); 1Co 2:14; 2Co 4:3–4; Eph 4:17–19

See also

• Fourfold state of man
• Original sin
• Doctrines of grace