What is total depravity?
Total depravity is the doctrine that sin has affected every part of the human person — mind, will, affections, body — so that apart from grace we are unable to come to God on our own. It does not mean we are as bad as we could be; it means no part of us is untouched by sin.
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "There is no one righteous, not even one… no one seeks for God" (Romans 3:10–11).
Total depravity is not about behavior alone but about heart-orientation. Even our best deeds are tainted by mixed motives. Unredeemed humans don’t lack ability to act morally; they lack ability to truly love God.
This is why grace must be unconditional. If we were merely sick, we’d need medicine; the Bible says we’re dead (Ephesians 2:1), and the dead need resurrection. Grace is God making the dead alive.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.