Total depravity is the doctrine that every part of humanity is affected by sin, rendering us incapable of achieving righteousness on our own.
Total depravity describes the extent of sin's impact on humanity, teaching that all aspects of our being—mind, will, and emotions—are fundamentally corrupted by sin. This doctrine reveals that no one can seek God or uphold God's law apart from divine grace. As Paul points out in Galatians 3:10, 'For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse,' indicating that even the most moral and religious individuals are still in a state of total depravity unless they are redeemed by Christ. This understanding emphasizes the necessity of God's sovereign grace to bring about transformation and salvation, as it is through Christ that we are freed from the curse of the law.
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