Romans 1:31

Without understanding. Gr. asunetoi, the singular form of which is translated “foolish” in v. 21.

Covenantbreakers. That is, false to their agreements.

Without natural affection. Infanticide and divorce were common in Paul’s day. When, by their persistent rebellion against God, men grieve away the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), their lives reveal the lack of love and natural affection. God does not force His Spirit of love upon men. When they persist in their opposition to God’s will, God gives them over to their own unnatural and selfish inclinations (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28).

Implacable. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of this word. The same Greek word occurs, however, in the list of sins in 2 Tim. 3:3 and is there translated “trucebreakers.”

Unmerciful. That is, without pity and compassion. The morbid satisfaction spectators derived from the slaughter of gladiators and martyrs in Rome indicates how little pity and compassion were in the hearts of men in that age. Jesus taught that to be unmerciful is evidence of a corrupted character, one that is unfit for heaven (Matt. 25:41-43).