Romans 1:29-31

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:31

Verse 31 31.Without the feelings of humanity are they who have put off the first affections of nature towards their own relations. As he mentions the want of mercy as an evidence of human nature being depraved, [Augustine ], in arguing against the Stoics, concludes, that mercy is a Christian virtue. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

(a) The heathen world in general. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The inexcusableness of the heathen. In the twentieth verse the apostle speaks of the heathen as "without excuse." These words describe the condition of those who have wilfully rejected light. They do not, indeed, describe their condition from their own standpoint or from the standpoint of men generally. From their own standpoint men are seldom "without excuse." No matter how gross or glaring the offence is, the offender has usually some excuse to offer. Adam and Eve had their excuses... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The revelation of wrath. "For." Note the transition. The introduction into a status of righteousness presupposes a status of unrighteousness, involving wrath. So, then, we have here—man's guilt, God's wrath. I. MAN 'S GUILT . Man's guilt, which is his obnoxious relation to the judgment of God, is established by reference to the well-known state of the Gentile world, branded by its own doings as "ungodly" and "unrighteous." 1. Ungodliness. The deepest root of man's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

God's wrath as revealed among the Gentiles. In last homily we saw that the gospel Paul meant to preach at Rome, if he ever got there, was a "revelation of justice" on the part of God. By his covenant arrangements "God can be just, and yet the Justifier of him who believeth in Jesus." He can proclaim the sinner just on the ground of Christ's atonement. But now we are introduced to another "revelation" made in the constitution of the world—a revelation which is also grounded on justice, hut... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:29-31

Being filled with all unrighteousness, [fornication], wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, hated of God, despiteful (rather, insolent ) , proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection [implacable], unmerciful. Here not personal uncleanness only, but general and utter disregard of moral restraints and obligations... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 1:29

Being filled - That is, the things which he specifies were common or abounded among them. This is a strong phrase, denoting that these things were so often practiced as that it might be said they were full of them. We have a phrase like this still, when we say of one that he is full of mischief, etc.Unrighteousness - ἀδικία adikia. This is a word denoting injustice, or iniquity in general. The particular specifications of the iniquity follow.Fornication - This was a common and almost... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 1:30

Backbiters - Those Who calumniate, slander, or speak ill of those who are absent. Whisperers declare secretly, and with great reserve, the supposed faults of others. Backbiters proclaim them publicly and avowedly.Haters of God - There is no charge which can be brought against people more severe than this. It is the highest possible crime; yet it is a charge which the conduct of people will abundantly justify, and the truth of which all those experience who are brought to see their true... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 1:31

Without understanding - Inconsiderate, or foolish; see Romans 1:21-22.Covenant breakers - Perfidious; false to their contracts.Without natural affections - This expression denotes the lack of affectionate regard toward their children. The attachment of parents to children is one of the strongest in nature, and nothing can overcome it but the most confirmed and established wickedness. And yet the apostle charges on the pagan generally the lack of this affection. He doubtless refers here to the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 1:28-31

Romans 1:28-31. And as they did not like ουκ εδοκιμασαν , they did not approve, to retain God in their knowledge Or rather, as εχειν εν επιγνωσει more properly signifies, to retain him with acknowledgment. For it is proved above that they were not wholly without the knowledge of God in the world: but they did not acknowledge him as they ought; did not use or improve the knowledge they had of him to the purposes for which it had been vouch-safed. Or, as Dr. Macknight interprets it,... read more

Group of Brands