Romans 1:29
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
These vices characterized Greco-Roman society. Murder was entertainment (gladiators). Greed drove economic exploitation. Envy fueled political intrigue. Deceit was common in commerce and politics. Gossip destroyed reputations without accountability. Paul's lists of vices (also in Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) functioned as mirrors for self-examination and warnings to churches contaminated by pagan culture. Modern readers should not assume moral superiority—these sins persist today, often disguised or rationalized.
Questions for Reflection
- Which of these sins most characterizes your thought life, even if not acted upon externally?
- How does being 'filled' (πληρόω) with vice contrast with being 'filled with the Spirit' (Ephesians 5:18)?
- In what ways does contemporary culture normalize or celebrate these sins that Paul condemns?
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Analysis & Commentary
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Paul catalogs vices resulting from a reprobate mind: peplērōmenous pasē adikia ponēria pleonexia kakia (πεπληρωμένους πάσῃ ἀδικίᾳ πονηρίᾳ πλεονεξίᾳ κακίᾳ, 'filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice'). Peplērōmenous (πεπληρωμένους, filled/stuffed full) suggests saturation, total permeation by evil. Adikia (ἀδικία, unrighteousness) is general injustice. Ponēria (πονηρία, wickedness/evil) is active malevolence. Pleonexia (πλεονεξία, covetousness/greed) is insatiable desire for more. Kakia (κακία, malice) is ill will toward others.
The list continues: mestous phthonou phonou eridos dolou kakēthias (μεστοὺς φθόνου φόνου ἔριδος δόλου κακοηθίας, 'full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity'). Mestous (full) emphasizes abundance. Phthonou (φθόνος, envy) is resentment of others' good. Phonou (φόνος, murder) begins with heart hatred (Matthew 5:21-22). Eridos (ἔρις, strife/quarreling) destroys relationships. Dolou (δόλος, deceit) is deception. Kakēthias (κακοηθία, malignity/craftiness) is evil disposition. Adding psithyristas (ψιθυριστάς, whisperers/gossips)—secret slanderers who destroy reputations. This list is comprehensive, covering attitudes, speech, and actions.