The Meaning of Romans 1:30 Explained

Romans 1:30

KJV: Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

YLT: evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Darby: back-biters, hateful to God, insolent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

ASV: backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Backbiters,  haters of God,  despiteful,  proud,  boasters,  inventors  of evil things,  disobedient  to parents, 

What does Romans 1:30 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 1:24-32 - From Gross Sins Of The Flesh
Few men knew as much as did Paul of the unutterableness of human need. In terrible words he enumerates its various aspects. Truth would enter human hearts from God's work in nature and from conscience, yet men pull down the blind and close the curtain. It is not that they do not know, but that they refuse to have God in their knowledge. They shun the thought of God, Psalms 10:4. They will not lift their happy faces toward Him with filial confidence. Thus a heavy darkness steals over them and veils His presence.
The next downward step is uncleanness; and when once men have deliberately chosen the downward path, there is nothing to stop them. They go headlong from one point to another in their descent into darkness. When our hearts turn from the purifying presence of God, they become the haunt of every foul bird and noisome reptile. What a marvel it is that out of such material God can even create saints! [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 1

1  Paul commends his calling to the Romans;
9  and his desire to come to them
16  What his gospel is
18  God is angry with sin
21  What were the sins of mankind

Greek Commentary for Romans 1:30

Whisperers [πσιτυριστας]
Old word from πσιτυριζω — psithurizō to speak into the ear, to speak secretly, an onomatopoetic word like πσιτυρισμος — psithurismos (2 Corinthians 12:20) and only here in N.T. Backbiters (καταλαλους — katalalous). Found nowhere else except in Hermas, compound like καταλαλεω — katalaleō to talk back (James 4:11), and καταλαλια — katalalia talking back (2 Corinthians 12:20), talkers back whether secretly or openly. Hateful to God Old word from τεος — theos and στυγεω — stugeō All the ancient examples take it in the passive sense and so probably here. So στυγητος — stugētos (Titus 3:13). Vulgate has deo odibiles. Insolent (υβριστας — hubristas). Old word for agent from υβριζω — hubrizō to give insult to, here alone in N.T. save 1 Timothy 1:13. Haughty From υπερ — huper and παινομαι — phainomai to appear above others, arrogant in thought and conduct, “stuck up.” Boastful (αλαζονας — alazonas). From αλη — alē wandering. Empty pretenders, swaggerers, braggarts. Inventors of evil things 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 απειτεις — goneusin apeitheis). Cf. 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:2. An ancient and a modern trait. [source]
Backbiters [καταλαλους]
Found nowhere else except in Hermas, compound like καταλαλεω — katalaleō to talk back (James 4:11), and καταλαλια — katalalia talking back (2 Corinthians 12:20), talkers back whether secretly or openly. [source]
Hateful to God [τεοστυγεις]
Old word from τεος — theos and στυγεω — stugeō All the ancient examples take it in the passive sense and so probably here. So στυγητος — stugētos (Titus 3:13). Vulgate has deo odibiles. Insolent (υβριστας — hubristas). Old word for agent from υβριζω — hubrizō to give insult to, here alone in N.T. save 1 Timothy 1:13. Haughty From υπερ — huper and παινομαι — phainomai to appear above others, arrogant in thought and conduct, “stuck up.” Boastful (αλαζονας — alazonas). From αλη — alē wandering. Empty pretenders, swaggerers, braggarts. Inventors of evil things 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 απειτεις — goneusin apeitheis). Cf. 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:2. An ancient and a modern trait. [source]
Insolent [υβριστας]
Old word for agent from υβριζω — hubrizō to give insult to, here alone in N.T. save 1 Timothy 1:13. [source]
Haughty [υπερηπανους]
From υπερ — huper and παινομαι — phainomai to appear above others, arrogant in thought and conduct, “stuck up.” Boastful (αλαζονας — alazonas). From αλη — alē wandering. Empty pretenders, swaggerers, braggarts. Inventors of evil things 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 απειτεις — goneusin apeitheis). Cf. 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:2. An ancient and a modern trait. [source]
Boastful [αλαζονας]
From αλη — alē wandering. Empty pretenders, swaggerers, braggarts. [source]
Inventors of evil things [επευρετας 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 απειτεις — goneusin apeitheis). Cf. 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:2. An ancient and a modern trait. [source]
Disobedient to parents [γονευσιν απειτεις]
Cf. 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:2. An ancient and a modern trait. [source]
Haters of God [θεοστυγεῖς]
Rev., hateful to God. All classical usage is in favor of the passive sense, but all the other items of the list are active. Meyer defends the passive on the ground that the term is a summary of what precedes. The weight of authority is on this side. The simple verb στυγέω tohate, does not occur in the New Testament. Στυγητός hatefulis found Titus 3:3. The verb is stronger than, μισέω Ihate, since it means to show as well as to feel hatred. [source]
Proud [ὑπερηφάνους]
Rev., haughty. See on pride, Mark 7:22. [source]
Boasters [ἀλαζόνας]
Not necessarily implying contempt or insult. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 1:30

1 Timothy 5:4 Their parents [τοῖς προγόνοις]
N.T.oParents is too limited. The word comprehends mothers and grandmothers and living ancestors generally. The word for parents is γονεῖς , see 2 Timothy 3:2; Romans 1:30; 2 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20. Πρόγονοι for living ancestors is contrary to usage. One instance is cited from Plato, Laws, xi. 932. The word is probably selected to correspond in form with ἔκγονα childrenGood and acceptable ( καλὸν καὶ ἀποδεκτὸν )Omit καλὸν καὶ goodand. Ἁπόδεκτος acceptableonly here and 1 Timothy 2:3. See note. [source]
1 Timothy 1:13 Blasphemer - persecutor - injurious [βλάσφημον - διώκτην - ὑβριστήν]
Neither βλάσφημος nor διώκτης is used by Paul. Βλάσφημος in Acts 7:11; 2 Peter 2:11; διώκτης N.T.o ὑβριστής in Romans 1:30only; often in lxx. See on blasphemy Mark 7:22, and comp. 1 Corinthians 10:30. Ὑβριστής is one whose insolence and contempt of others break forth in wanton and outrageous acts. Paul was ὑβριστής when he persecuted the church. He was ὑβρισθείς shamefullyentreated at Philippi (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Christ prophesies that the Son of man shall be shamefully entreated ( ὑβρισθήσεται , Luke 18:32). Similar regretful references of Paul to his former career appear in Acts 22:4; Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23. Such a passage may have occurred in some Pauline letters to which this writer had access, or it may be an imitation. [source]
1 Timothy 1:13 Though I was [οντα]
Concessive participle agreeing with με — me Blasphemer (βλασπημον — blasphēmon). Old word either from βλαχ — blax (stupid) and πημη — phēmē speech, or from βλαπτω — blaptō to injure. Rare in N.T. but Paul uses βλασπημεω — blasphēmeō to blaspheme in Romans 2:24. Persecutor So far found only here. Probably made by Paul from διωκω — diōkō which he knew well enough (Acts 22:4, Acts 22:7; Acts 26:14.; Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23; Philemon 3:6; 2 Timothy 3:12). Injurious (υβριστην — hubristēn). Substantive, not adjective, “an insolent man.” Old word from υβριζω — hubrizō in N.T. only here and Romans 1:30. I obtained mercy First aorist passive indicative of ελεεω — eleeō old verb. See 2 Corinthians 4:1; Romans 11:30. Ignorantly (αγνοων — agnoōn). Present active participle of αγνοεω — agnoeō “not knowing.” Old verb (Romans 2:4). In a blindness of heart. In unbelief See Romans 11:20, Romans 11:25. [source]
1 Timothy 1:13 Persecutor [διωκτης]
So far found only here. Probably made by Paul from διωκω — diōkō which he knew well enough (Acts 22:4, Acts 22:7; Acts 26:14.; Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23; Philemon 3:6; 2 Timothy 3:12). Injurious (υβριστην — hubristēn). Substantive, not adjective, “an insolent man.” Old word from υβριζω — hubrizō in N.T. only here and Romans 1:30. I obtained mercy First aorist passive indicative of ελεεω — eleeō old verb. See 2 Corinthians 4:1; Romans 11:30. Ignorantly (αγνοων — agnoōn). Present active participle of αγνοεω — agnoeō “not knowing.” Old verb (Romans 2:4). In a blindness of heart. In unbelief See Romans 11:20, Romans 11:25. [source]
1 Timothy 1:13 Injurious [υβριστην]
Substantive, not adjective, “an insolent man.” Old word from υβριζω — hubrizō in N.T. only here and Romans 1:30. [source]
2 Timothy 3:2 Boasters [ἀλαζόνες]
Or swaggerers. Only here and Romans 1:30. See on ἀλαζονείαις boastings James 4:16. [source]
2 Timothy 3:2 Lovers of money [αλαζονες]
Old compound adjective, in N.T. only here and Luke 16:14. See note on 1 Timothy 6:10. Boastful (υπερηπανοι — alazones). Old word for empty pretender, in N.T. only here and Romans 1:30. Haughty See also Romans 1:30 for this old word. Railers (γονευσιν απειτεις — blasphēmoi). See note on 1 Timothy 1:13. Disobedient to parents See note on Romans 1:30. Unthankful (ανοσιοι — acharistoi). Old word, in N.T. only here and Luke 6:35. Unholy See note on 1 Timothy 1:9. Without natural affection (astorgoi). See note on Romans 1:31. [source]
2 Timothy 3:2 Boastful [υπερηπανοι]
Old word for empty pretender, in N.T. only here and Romans 1:30. [source]
2 Timothy 3:2 Haughty [βλασπημοι]
See also Romans 1:30 for this old word. Railers (γονευσιν απειτεις — blasphēmoi). See note on 1 Timothy 1:13. Disobedient to parents See note on Romans 1:30. Unthankful (ανοσιοι — acharistoi). Old word, in N.T. only here and Luke 6:35. Unholy See note on 1 Timothy 1:9. Without natural affection (astorgoi). See note on Romans 1:31. [source]
2 Timothy 3:2 Disobedient to parents [αχαριστοι]
See note on Romans 1:30. Unthankful (ανοσιοι — acharistoi). Old word, in N.T. only here and Luke 6:35. Unholy See note on 1 Timothy 1:9. Without natural affection (astorgoi). See note on Romans 1:31. [source]
Titus 1:16 By their works [αρνουνται]
Instrumental case. They deny (αρνεομαι — arnountai). Present middle of βδελυκτοι — arneomai old verb, common in the Gospels and the Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy 5:8; Titus 2:12; 2 Timothy 2:12). Abominable Verbal adjective from απειτεις — bdelussomai Only in lxx and here. Disobedient (αδοκιμοι — apeitheis). See note on Romans 1:30. Reprobate See note on 1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 1:28. [source]
Titus 1:16 Abominable [βδελυσσομαι]
Verbal adjective from απειτεις — bdelussomai Only in lxx and here. Disobedient (αδοκιμοι — apeitheis). See note on Romans 1:30. Reprobate See note on 1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 1:28. [source]
Titus 1:16 Disobedient [αδοκιμοι]
See note on Romans 1:30. [source]
Titus 3:3 Foolish [ανοητοι]
See Romans 1:14, Romans 1:21. Disobedient (απειτεις — apeitheis). See note on Romans 1:30. Deceived Present passive participle of πλαναω — planaō though the middle is possible. Divers lusts (ηδοναις ποικιλαις — hēdonais poikilais). “Pleasures” (ηδοναις — hēdonais from ηδομαι — hēdomai old word, in N.T. only here, Luke 8:14; James 4:1, James 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13). Ποικιλαις — Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc. Living See note on 1 Timothy 3:6 (supply βιον — bion). In malice (εν κακιαι — en kakiāi). See note on Romans 1:29. Envy See note on Romans 1:29. Hateful (στυγητοι — stugētoi). Late passive verbal from στυγεω — stugeō to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T. Hating one another Active sense and natural result of being “hateful.” [source]
Titus 3:3 Disobedient [απειτεις]
See note on Romans 1:30. [source]
Hebrews 7:3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy [απατωρ αμητωρ αγενεαλογητος]
Alliteration like Romans 1:30, the first two old words, the third coined by the author (found nowhere else) and meaning simply “devoid of any genealogy.” The argument is that from silence, made much of by Philo, but not to be pressed. The record in Genesis tells nothing of any genealogy. Melchizedek stands alone. He is not to be understood as a miraculous being without birth or death. Melchizedek has been made more mysterious than he is by reading into this interpretation what is not there. Made like (τωι υιωι του τεου — aphōmoiōmenos). Perfect passive participle of υιος — aphomoioō old verb, to produce a facsimile or copy, only here in N.T. The likeness is in the picture drawn in Genesis, not in the man himself. Such artificial interpretation does not amount to proof, but only serves as a parallel or illustration. Unto the Son of God (μενει ιερευς — tōi huiōi tou theou). Associative instrumental case of εις το διηνεκες — huios Abideth a priest (εις τον αιωνα — menei hiereus). According to the record in Genesis, the only one in his line just as Jesus stands alone, but with the difference that Jesus continues priest in fact in heaven. Continually (eis to diēnekes). Old phrase (for the continuity) like eis ton aiōna in N.T. only in Hebrews (Hebrews 7:3; Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:21). [source]
James 4:6 Wherefore [διο]
To prove this point James quotes Proverbs 3:34.God resisteth the proud (ο τεος υπερηπανοις αντιτασσεται — ho theos huperēphanois antitassetai). Present middle (direct) indicative of αντιτασσω — antitassō old military term, to range in battle against, with dative case (Romans 13:2) as in James 5:6. υπερηπανοις — Huperēphanois (υπερ παινομαι — huperταπεινοις δε διδωσιν χαριν — phainomai) is like our vernacular “stuck-up folks” (Romans 1:30), “haughty persons.”But giveth grace to the humble Anarthrous adjective again, “to humble or lowly persons,” for which word see James 1:9. Cf. James 2:5-7; James 5:1-6. [source]
James 4:6 God resisteth the proud [ο τεος υπερηπανοις αντιτασσεται]
Present middle (direct) indicative of αντιτασσω — antitassō old military term, to range in battle against, with dative case (Romans 13:2) as in James 5:6. υπερηπανοις — Huperēphanois (υπερ παινομαι — huperταπεινοις δε διδωσιν χαριν — phainomai) is like our vernacular “stuck-up folks” (Romans 1:30), “haughty persons.” [source]
James 4:16 In your vauntings [εν ταις αλαζονιαις υμων]
Old word for braggart talk (from αλαζονευομαι — alazoneuomai to act the αλαζων — alazōn empty boaster Romans 1:30), common in Aristophanes, in N.T. only here and 1 John 2:16. [source]
1 Peter 2:1 Wickedness [κακιαν]
This old word, from κακος — kakos (evil), in the ancients meant vice of any kind and note πασαν — pāsan (all) here.Guile (δολον — dolon). Old word (from δελω — delō to catch with bait), deceit.Hypocrisies Singular Genuine here, not πονους — phonous (murders), as B has it. For the word see Matthew 27:18.Evil speakings Late word (from καταλαλος — katalalos defamer, Romans 1:30), in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 12:20. “Backbitings.” For verb see note on 1 Peter 2:12. [source]
1 Peter 2:1 Hypocrisies [υποκρισεις]
Singular Genuine here, not πονους — phonous (murders), as B has it. For the word see Matthew 27:18.Evil speakings Late word (from καταλαλος — katalalos defamer, Romans 1:30), in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 12:20. “Backbitings.” For verb see note on 1 Peter 2:12. [source]
1 Peter 2:1 Evil speakings [καταλαλιας]
Late word (from καταλαλος — katalalos defamer, Romans 1:30), in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 12:20. “Backbitings.” For verb see note on 1 Peter 2:12. [source]
1 Peter 5:5 All [παντες]
All ages, sexes, classes.Gird yourselves with humility (την ταπεινοπροσυνην εγκομβωσαστε — tēn tapeinophrosunēn egkombōsasthe). First aorist middle imperative of εγκομβοομαι — egkomboomai late and rare verb (in Apollodorus, fourth cent. b.c.), here only in N.T., from εν — en and κομβος — kombos (knot, like the knot of a girdle). Εγκομβωμα — Egkombōma was the white scarf or apron of slaves. It is quite probable that Peter here is thinking of what Jesus did (John 13:4.) when he girded himself with a towel and taught the disciples, Peter in particular (John 13:9.), the lesson of humility (John 13:15). Peter had at last learned the lesson (John 21:15-19).The proud Dative plural of υπερηπανος — huperēphanos (James 4:6; Romans 1:30) after αντιτασσεται — antitassetai (present middle indicative of αντιτασσω — antitassō as in James 4:6 (quoted there as here from Proverbs 3:34). [source]
1 Peter 5:5 The proud [υπερηπανοις]
Dative plural of υπερηπανος — huperēphanos (James 4:6; Romans 1:30) after αντιτασσεται — antitassetai (present middle indicative of αντιτασσω — antitassō as in James 4:6 (quoted there as here from Proverbs 3:34). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 1:30 mean?

slanderers hateful to God insolent arrogant boastful inventors of evil things to parents disobedient
καταλάλους θεοστυγεῖς ὑβριστάς ὑπερηφάνους ἀλαζόνας ἐφευρετὰς κακῶν γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς

καταλάλους  slanderers 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: κατάλαλος  
Sense: a defamer, evil speaker.
θεοστυγεῖς  hateful  to  God 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: θεοστυγής  
Sense: hateful to God, exceptionally impious and wicked.
ὑβριστάς  insolent 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὑβριστής  
Sense: an insolent man.
ὑπερηφάνους  arrogant 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὑπερήφανος 
Sense: showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent.
ἀλαζόνας  boastful 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀλαζών  
Sense: an empty pretender, a boaster.
ἐφευρετὰς  inventors 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐφευρετής  
Sense: an inventor, contriver.
κακῶν  of  evil  things 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: κακός  
Sense: of a bad nature.
γονεῦσιν  to  parents 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: γονεύς  
Sense: fathers, parent, the parents.
ἀπειθεῖς  disobedient 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀπειθής  
Sense: impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious.