Man is completely helpless in his sinful state, is under the wrath of God, and can in no way please God. Total depravity also means that man will not naturally seek to know God, until God graciously prompts him to do so (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).
Mwanadamu daima ni mnyonge kabisa katika hali yake ya dhambi na ako chini ya hasira ya Mungu na kwa njia yoyote ile hawezi kumfurahisha Mungu. Jumla ya upotovu pia ina maana kwamba mwanadamu kwa kawaida hawezi tafuta kumjua Mungu, mpaka Mungu kwa neema amuweka katika kufanya hivyo (Mwanzo 6:5; Yeremia 17:9, Warumi 3:10-18).