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I. IN SPEECH. These verses refer to the different organs of speech, and show them all exercising their power to hurt, under the dominion of sin.

1. The throat (larynx) is compared to a sepulchre; this refers to the language of the gross and brutal man, of whom it is said in common parlance — it seems as if he would like to eat you. The next characteristic is a contrast — the sugared tongue, which charms you like a melodious instrument. Doth of these are taken from the description of David's enemies in Psalm 5:9.

3. The next is taken from Psalm 140:3 — the calumny and falsehood which malignant lips give forth, as a serpent infuses its poison.

(4) Ver. 14. The wickedness which is cast into your face by a mouth full of hatred or bitterness (Psalm 10:7).

II. IN DEED (vers. 15-18). Of the four propositions the first three are borrowed from Isaiah 59:7, 8.

1. The feet as the emblem of walking symbolises the whole conduct.

2. Man acts without regard to his neighbour, without fear of compromising his welfare or even his life (Proverbs 1:16). He oppresses his brother, and fills his life with misery, so that the way marked out by such a course is watered with the tears of others.

3. No peace can exist either in the heart of such men, or in their neighbourhood.

4. And this overflow of depravity and suffering arises from a void; the absence of that feeling which should have filled the heart — "the fear of God." This term is the normal expression for piety in the Old Testament; it is that disposition which has God always present in the heart, will and judgment. The words "before their eyes" show that it belongs to man freely to evoke or suppress this inward view of God on which his moral conduct depends (Psalm 36:1).

(Prof. Godet.)

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KJV: What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

WEB: What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.