Romans 1:31

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Without understanding {G801}, covenantbreakers {G802}, without natural affection {G794}, implacable {G786}, unmerciful {G415}:

they are brainless, faithless, heartless and ruthless.

They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful:

This verse is part of a sobering list provided by the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 1, detailing the consequences of humanity suppressing the truth about God and worshipping created things rather than the Creator. Having turned away from God, Paul describes how people are given over to various forms of depravity and sin.

Context

Romans 1:31 appears towards the end of a catalogue of vices that Paul attributes to those who have rejected God's knowledge and truth. This list, beginning around Romans 1:29, illustrates the moral and spiritual decay that results from a fundamental turning away from divine authority. These characteristics are presented as evidence of a mind "void of judgment" (Romans 1:28).

Key Themes

  • Lack of Understanding: This refers not just to intellectual deficiency but a spiritual inability or unwillingness to grasp divine truth and its implications for moral behavior.
  • Covenantbreakers: Breaking solemn agreements, whether with God or fellow humans, highlights a lack of faithfulness and trustworthiness, essential components of godly character.
  • Without Natural Affection: The Greek term here, astorgoi, describes a lack of love or tenderness, particularly within families or towards those with whom one should have natural bonds. This is a stark indicator of moral corruption.
  • Implacable: Unwilling to be appeased or reconciled, holding onto resentment or hostility.
  • Unmerciful: Lacking compassion or pity towards others who are suffering or in need.

Linguistic Insights

The term translated "without natural affection" is astorgoi (ἄστοργοι), derived from a (without) and storgē (natural family love). It specifically denotes a deficiency in the instinctive love that should exist between family members or close relations, emphasizing a deep breakdown in fundamental human relationships. "Implacable" comes from aspondoi (ἄσπονδοι), meaning literally "without a treaty" or "unreconcilable."

Reflection

Paul's list serves as a stark reminder of the human condition when separated from God's light and guidance. The characteristics listed in Romans 1:31 describe a breakdown in fundamental societal and relational bonds: the inability to understand spiritual truth, the failure to uphold commitments, the absence of basic human kindness and family love, and the refusal to forgive or show mercy. These traits stand in direct contrast to the fruit of the Spirit described elsewhere, such as love, patience, and kindness (see Galatians 5:22-23). Examining this list prompts us to consider these areas in our own lives and relationships and to seek transformation through Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Timothy 3:3

    Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

  • Proverbs 18:2

    ¶ A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

  • Romans 3:11

    There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

  • Jeremiah 4:22

    For my people [is] foolish, they have not known me; they [are] sottish children, and they have none understanding: they [are] wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

  • Matthew 15:16

    And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

  • Isaiah 33:8

    The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.

  • Isaiah 27:11

    When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.
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