OVERVIEW
By Nick Bibile
Total Depravity Explained
We now come to the conclusion of our series on the nature of fallen man, commonly known as the doctrine of total depravity. The word depravity means corrupt, wicked, and sinful. When we say that fallen man is totally depraved, we do not mean that he is as evil as he could possibly be, but that sin has corrupted every part of his being—his mind, heart, will, and affections.
Man is alive physically, but morally and spiritually he is dead toward God. He does not merely struggle toward God—he is hostile to Him. His will is not neutral; it is opposed to God’s will. As a result, fallen man has no desire, ability, or inclination to seek the true God apart from divine grace.
John Calvin states it plainly:
“Man
is so enslaved by sin that he cannot of his own nature aspire to
good, but must be drawn by God.”
(Institutes,
2.3.5)
Yet despite the clear testimony of Scripture, the majority of unbelievers—and sadly many churches—reject this doctrine.
Pelagius was a British monk who denied original sin. He taught that Adam’s sin affected Adam alone and that all human beings are born innocent, morally neutral, and capable of choosing good or evil without divine grace.
This view was condemned by the early church as heresy because it contradicts Romans 5:12 and denies the necessity of grace.
Augustine rightly opposed Pelagius, writing:
“If Adam’s sin injured only himself, then Christ’s righteousness benefits only Himself.”
Pelagianism empties the cross of its meaning.
Semi-Pelagianism teaches that man was affected by sin but not spiritually dead—only morally sick. According to this view, man still has the ability to initiate faith, while God cooperates in salvation.
This is the official theology of Roman Catholicism and is embraced—often unknowingly—by many Protestant churches today.
However, both the early church fathers and the Reformers rejected this view outright, because Scripture teaches not sickness, but death.
Martin Luther wrote:
“Free
will after the fall is nothing but a word. When it does what it can,
it commits mortal sin.”
(Bondage
of the Will)
Man was originally created holy, righteous, and without sin, possessing true freedom. But Adam broke God’s command, and sin entered the human race (Romans 5:12).
Scripture declares:
All have sinned (Romans 3:23)
None is righteous (Romans 3:10)
All have gone astray (Romans 3:12)
As a result, fallen man became an enemy of God.
“The
natural man is not merely sick, but dead; not merely wounded, but
slain.”
—
John
Owen
The natural man is dead in sin, dead toward the living God:
Genesis 2:16–17
Ephesians 2:1–3
Colossians 2:13
Death means total inability. A dead man cannot respond unless life is given.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9)
Jesus confirms this in Mark 7:21–23, where He teaches that evil flows from within, not from external circumstances.
Scripture repeatedly asks:
Who can say, “I have made my heart clean”? (Proverbs 20:9)
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? (Job 14:4)
Jeremiah 13:23 seals the argument—moral change is impossible apart from divine intervention.
Jonathan Edwards wrote:
“You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”
The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). His problem is not physical but spiritual—his mind and heart are corrupt.
Even religious people are not exempt. The Jews were deeply religious, yet Christ said:
“I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.” (John 5:42)
Religion without regeneration is dead orthodoxy.
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life define fallen humanity (1 John 2:16). These are not isolated sins but expressions of a corrupt nature.
Thomas Watson wrote:
“Every sin is a turning from God to self.”
Fallen man cannot tolerate the true God, who is infinitely holy. Instead, he creates a god who compromises with sin.
“You thought that I was altogether like yourself.” (Psalm 50:21)
This is the god of modern religion.
Outward reverence does not equal inward submission. Psalm 66:3 speaks of enemies who feign obedience.
John Calvin comments:
“Through the greatness of God’s power, His enemies submit themselves—not willingly, but by force.”
Jonathan Edwards piercingly observed:
“You cover your enmity with a painted veil.”
When fallen men appear moral, it is not due to goodness, but God’s restraining grace.
“Sin
would break forth as fire, were it not for God’s restraint.”
—
John
Owen
Romans 3:13–18 describes what man becomes when restraint is removed.
We are no better than Judas, Pharaoh, Herod, or the worst criminals—apart from God’s restraint.
Though the wicked may prosper now, they are reserved for judgment:
Job 21:30
Psalm 37:20
“The
prosperity of the wicked is but a preparation for slaughter.”
—
Thomas
Boston
Total depravity is foundational. Deny it, and you will distort:
Grace
Election
Atonement
Regeneration
Justification
A false view of man always produces a false gospel.
The
Pharisee saw his
own glory.
The
publican saw God’s
holiness and his own sin.
The
Pharisee denied total depravity.
The publican confessed it—and
went home justified.
True humility flows from seeing ourselves as God sees us.
Fallen man is totally depraved, utterly dependent upon sovereign grace. Salvation is of the Lord, from beginning to end.
“Grace
finds men not only undeserving, but unwilling.”
—
Matthew
Henry
Only God can raise the dead.