Rom 1:29-31 | RWP | e4.org | Being called with ( πεπληρωμενους ). Perfect passive participle of the common verb πληροω , state of completion, "filled to the brim with" four vices in the associative instrumental case ( αδικια , unrighteousness as in verse , πονηρια , active wickedness as in , πλεονεξια , covetousness as in ; , κακια , maliciousness or inward viciousness of disposition as in ). Note asyndeton, no connective in the lists in verses . Dramatic effect. The order of these words varies in the MSS. and πορνεια , fornication, is not genuine here (absent in Aleph A B C). Full of ( μεστους ). Paul changes from participle to adjective. Old adjective, rare in the N.T., like μεστοω , to fill full (only in in N.T.), stuffed full of (with genitive). Five substantives in the genitive ( φθονου , envy, as in , φονου , murder, and so a paronomasia or combination with φθονου , of like sounding words, εριδος , strife, as in , κακοηθιας , malignity, and here only in N.T. though old word from κακοηθης and that from κακος and ηθος , a tendency to put a bad construction on things, depravity of heart and malicious disposition.

‏ Romans 1:29-31

Being called with ( πεπληρωμενους ). Perfect passive participle of the common verb πληροω, state of completion, "filled to the brim with" four vices in the associative instrumental case ( αδικια, unrighteousness as in verse 18, πονηρια, active wickedness as in Mr 7:22, πλεονεξια, covetousness as in 1Th 2:5; Lu 12:15, κακια, maliciousness or inward viciousness of disposition as in 1Co 5:8). Note asyndeton, no connective in the lists in verses 29-31. Dramatic effect. The order of these words varies in the MSS. and πορνεια, fornication, is not genuine here (absent in Aleph A B C).

Full of ( μεστους ). Paul changes from participle to adjective. Old adjective, rare in the N.T., like μεστοω, to fill full (only in Ac 2:13 in N.T.), stuffed full of (with genitive). Five substantives in the genitive ( φθονου, envy, as in Ga 5:21, φονου, murder, and so a paronomasia or combination with φθονου, of like sounding words, εριδος, strife, as in 2Co 12:16, κακοηθιας, malignity, and here only in N.T. though old word from κακοηθης and that from κακος and ηθος, a tendency to put a bad construction on things, depravity of heart and malicious disposition.

Paul changes the construction again to twelve substantives and adjectives that give vivid touches to this composite photograph of the God abandoned soul.

Whisperers ( ψιθυριστας ). Old word from ψιθυριζω, to speak into the ear, to speak secretly, an onomatopoetic word like ψιθυρισμος (2Co 12:20) and only here in N.T.

Backbiters ( καταλαλους ). Found nowhere else except in Hermas, compound like καταλαλεω, to talk back (Jas 4:11), and καταλαλια, talking back (2Co 12:20), talkers back whether secretly or openly.

Hateful to God ( θεοστυγεις ). Old word from θεος and στυγεω. All the ancient examples take it in the passive sense and so probably here. So στυγητος (Tit 3:13). Vulgate has deo odibiles.

Insolent ( υβριστας ). Old word for agent from υβριζω, to give insult to, here alone in N.T. save 1Ti 1:13.

Haughty ( υπερηφανους ). From υπερ and φαινομα, to appear above others, arrogant in thought and conduct, "stuck up."

Boastful ( αλαζονας ). From αλη, wandering. Empty pretenders, swaggerers, braggarts.

Inventors of evil things ( εφευρετας κακων ). Inventors of new forms of vice as Nero was. Tacitus (Ann. IV. ii) describes Sejanus as facinorum omnium repertor and Virgil (Aen. ii. 163) scelerum inventor.

Disobedient to parents ( γονευσιν απειθεις ). Cf. 1Ti 1:9; 2Ti 3:2. An ancient and a modern trait.

Without understanding ( ασυνετους ). Same word in verse 21.

Covenant-breakers ( ασυνθετους ). Another paronomasia or pun. Α privative and verbal συνθετος from συντιθημ, to put together. Old word, common in LXX (Jer 3:7), men "false to their engagements" (Sanday and Headlam), who treat covenants as "a scrap of paper."

Without natural affection ( αστοργους ). Late word, α privative and στοργη, love of kindred. In N.T. only here and 2Ti 3:3.

Unmerciful ( ανελεημονας ). From α privative and ελεημων, merciful. Late word, only here in N.T. Some MSS. add ασπονδους, implacable, from 2Ti 3:3. It is a terrible picture of the effects of sin on the lives of men and women. The late Dr. R. H. Graves of Canton, China, said that a Chinaman who got hold of this chapter declared that Paul could not have written it, but only a modern missionary who had been to China. It is drawn to the life because Paul knew Pagan Graeco-Roman civilization.