Several weeks ago, in December 2021, our pastor began to preach through the Book of Romans, taking one verse at a time and exploring what the Apostle Paul was saying to the church at Rome, and by extension to the entire body of Christ ––every believer who has ever lived (and will live). As it is turning out, it was quite a message!
When we got to Romans 1:28-32, our pastor gave a great exposition of those verses. I decided to take it a step further in my personal study time. I took the verses 28 to 32, and dissect each verse by looking at them in a Greek interlinear format, and then exploring what each of the traits of someone who has been turned over to a debased and reprobate mind, what those words actually mean. In some cases they meant exactly what we would think they mean. With others, I learned quite a bit about what the words mean, and what kind of a person someone who has been turned over by God really is; and, in other cases I was surprised to find that some of the words used in the text do not mean what we normally might think they mean!
The entire study was both very fun, and extremely helpful in understanding this portion of Scripture. Below you will find my notes on Romans 1:28-32, as well as 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and other related passages, some of which were mentioned in his sermon.
If you would like to watch that particular sermon, it is available on both the church website, and also the church YouTube channel.
Romans 1:28-32 sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5qQZijWXbw
New Hope Bible Fellowship Website: https://newhopebf.weebly.com/
New Hope Bible Fellowship YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChz9V74PM-a7ikbMDCEvx6Q/featured
When we got to Romans 1:28-32, our pastor gave a great exposition of those verses. I decided to take it a step further in my personal study time. I took the verses 28 to 32, and dissect each verse by looking at them in a Greek interlinear format, and then exploring what each of the traits of someone who has been turned over to a debased and reprobate mind, what those words actually mean. In some cases they meant exactly what we would think they mean. With others, I learned quite a bit about what the words mean, and what kind of a person someone who has been turned over by God really is; and, in other cases I was surprised to find that some of the words used in the text do not mean what we normally might think they mean!
The entire study was both very fun, and extremely helpful in understanding this portion of Scripture. Below you will find my notes on Romans 1:28-32, as well as 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and other related passages, some of which were mentioned in his sermon.
If you would like to watch that particular sermon, it is available on both the church website, and also the church YouTube channel.
Romans 1:28-32 sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5qQZijWXbw
New Hope Bible Fellowship Website: https://newhopebf.weebly.com/
New Hope Bible Fellowship YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChz9V74PM-a7ikbMDCEvx6Q/featured
Romans 1:28-32 [NASB 1995]
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
[Because they refused to acknowledge God, and instead chose to reject Him,] “God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.”]
And what are the characteristics of someone given over to a depraved (or reprobate) mind? Scripture mentions them, and provides descriptive lists of them. Here are are, but not all:
[Because they refused to acknowledge God, and instead chose to reject Him,] “God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.”]
And what are the characteristics of someone given over to a depraved (or reprobate) mind? Scripture mentions them, and provides descriptive lists of them. Here are are, but not all:
Romans Chapter 1: Verse 29
unrighteousness: Strong’s G93. adikia [injustice, unrighteousness], (a feminine noun derived from 1 /A "not" and 1349 /díkē, "justice") – properly, the opposite of justice; unrighteousness, as a violation of God's standards (justice) which brings divine disapproval; a count (violation) of God's justice, i.e. what is contrary to His righteous judgments (what He approves).
wickedness: Strong’s G4189. ponéria (from 4192 /pónos, "pain, laborious trouble") – properly, pain-ridden evil, derived from 4192 (pónos) which refers to "pain (pure and simple)" – depravity, iniquity, wickedness.
greed: Strong’s G4124. pleonexia [greed, covetousness, avarice, aggressive desire for advantage], (a feminine noun derived from 4119 /pleíōn, "numerically more" and 2192 /éxō, "have") – properly, the desire for more (things), i.e. lusting for a greater number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best (beyond His preferred-will, cf. 2307 /thélēma); covetousness (coveting). pleoneksía (a feminine noun) points to a brand of covetousness, defined by the context.
evil: Strong’s G2549. kakia [(a) evil (i.e. trouble, labor, misfortune), (b) wickedness, (c) vicious disposition, malice, spite], Cognate: 2549 kakía (from 2554 /kakopoiéō, "a wicked disposition") – properly, the underlying principle of evil (inherent evil) which is present, even if not outwardly expressed. [2549 /kakía ("malice") shares the same essential meaning as 2556 /kakós ("wretched evil," its adjectival cognate).]
full of envy: Strong’s G3324. mestos – “full”; Strong’s G5355. phthonos – “of envy.”
Strong’s G3324. mestos – “full” [full, filled with; in reference to persons, whose minds are as it were filled with thoughts and emotions,]; Strong’s G5355. phthonos – “of envy” [envy, a grudge, spite], the miserable trait of being glad when someone experiences misfortune or pain; strong feeling (desire) that sours, due to the influence of sin; 5355 /phthónos ("the feeling of ill-will") refers to the jealous envy that negatively "energizes" someone with an embittered mind. 5355 /phthónos ("ill-will") conveys "displeasure at another's good; . . . without longing to raise oneself to the level of him whom he envies, but only to depress the envied to his own level" (R. Trench, 90).
murder: Strong’s G5408. phonos [murder, slaughter, killing], Cognate: 5408 phónos – murder (intentional, unjustified homicide).
strife: Strong’s G2054. eris [contention, strife, wrangling], 2054 éris (a primitive word, NAS dictionary) – literally quarrel, strife; properly, a readiness to quarrel (having a contentious spirit), affection for dispute.
deceit: Strong’s G1388. dolos [deceit, guile, treachery], 1388 dólos – properly, bait; (figuratively) deceit (trickery) using bait to alure ("hook") people, especially those already festering in excessive, emotional pain (brought on by themselves).
1388 /dólos ("deceit motivated by guile") uses decoys to snare (deceive) people which implies treachery to exploit the naive (undiscerning) – baiting them through (with) their own greed.
malice: Strong’s G2550. kakoétheia [malice, maliciousness, evil-mindedness, malignity, malevolence], Cognate: 2550 kakoḗtheia (from 2556 /kakós, "an evil, vicious disposition" and 2239 /ēthos, "custom") – a malicious disposition (character) that fosters and fondles evil habits. 2550 /kakoḗtheia ("malignity") inevitably shows itself in acts of deceit (treachery) – i.e. what is characteristic of " 'evil-mindedness' that puts the worst construction on everything" (Souter).
gossips: Strong’s G5588. psithuristés [a whisperer, secret slanderer], Cognate: 5588 psithyristḗs – properly, a whisperer; a sneaky gossip (a "back-stabber"); a backbiter, quietly (secretly) destroying another person's character – i.e. covertly, not out in the open, but rather operating "secretively, behind the scenes."
wickedness: Strong’s G4189. ponéria (from 4192 /pónos, "pain, laborious trouble") – properly, pain-ridden evil, derived from 4192 (pónos) which refers to "pain (pure and simple)" – depravity, iniquity, wickedness.
greed: Strong’s G4124. pleonexia [greed, covetousness, avarice, aggressive desire for advantage], (a feminine noun derived from 4119 /pleíōn, "numerically more" and 2192 /éxō, "have") – properly, the desire for more (things), i.e. lusting for a greater number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best (beyond His preferred-will, cf. 2307 /thélēma); covetousness (coveting). pleoneksía (a feminine noun) points to a brand of covetousness, defined by the context.
evil: Strong’s G2549. kakia [(a) evil (i.e. trouble, labor, misfortune), (b) wickedness, (c) vicious disposition, malice, spite], Cognate: 2549 kakía (from 2554 /kakopoiéō, "a wicked disposition") – properly, the underlying principle of evil (inherent evil) which is present, even if not outwardly expressed. [2549 /kakía ("malice") shares the same essential meaning as 2556 /kakós ("wretched evil," its adjectival cognate).]
full of envy: Strong’s G3324. mestos – “full”; Strong’s G5355. phthonos – “of envy.”
Strong’s G3324. mestos – “full” [full, filled with; in reference to persons, whose minds are as it were filled with thoughts and emotions,]; Strong’s G5355. phthonos – “of envy” [envy, a grudge, spite], the miserable trait of being glad when someone experiences misfortune or pain; strong feeling (desire) that sours, due to the influence of sin; 5355 /phthónos ("the feeling of ill-will") refers to the jealous envy that negatively "energizes" someone with an embittered mind. 5355 /phthónos ("ill-will") conveys "displeasure at another's good; . . . without longing to raise oneself to the level of him whom he envies, but only to depress the envied to his own level" (R. Trench, 90).
murder: Strong’s G5408. phonos [murder, slaughter, killing], Cognate: 5408 phónos – murder (intentional, unjustified homicide).
strife: Strong’s G2054. eris [contention, strife, wrangling], 2054 éris (a primitive word, NAS dictionary) – literally quarrel, strife; properly, a readiness to quarrel (having a contentious spirit), affection for dispute.
deceit: Strong’s G1388. dolos [deceit, guile, treachery], 1388 dólos – properly, bait; (figuratively) deceit (trickery) using bait to alure ("hook") people, especially those already festering in excessive, emotional pain (brought on by themselves).
1388 /dólos ("deceit motivated by guile") uses decoys to snare (deceive) people which implies treachery to exploit the naive (undiscerning) – baiting them through (with) their own greed.
malice: Strong’s G2550. kakoétheia [malice, maliciousness, evil-mindedness, malignity, malevolence], Cognate: 2550 kakoḗtheia (from 2556 /kakós, "an evil, vicious disposition" and 2239 /ēthos, "custom") – a malicious disposition (character) that fosters and fondles evil habits. 2550 /kakoḗtheia ("malignity") inevitably shows itself in acts of deceit (treachery) – i.e. what is characteristic of " 'evil-mindedness' that puts the worst construction on everything" (Souter).
gossips: Strong’s G5588. psithuristés [a whisperer, secret slanderer], Cognate: 5588 psithyristḗs – properly, a whisperer; a sneaky gossip (a "back-stabber"); a backbiter, quietly (secretly) destroying another person's character – i.e. covertly, not out in the open, but rather operating "secretively, behind the scenes."
Verse 30
slanderers: Strong’s G2637. katalalos [slanderous, back-biting; subst: a railer, defamer], Cognate: 2637 katálalos – slanderous. From kata and the base of laleo; talkative against, i.e. A slanderer -- backbiter.
haters of God: Strong’s G2319. theostugés [hating God, hateful to God], 2319 theostygḗs(a substantival adjective, derived from 2316 /theós, "God" and stygeō, "abhor") – properly, to abhor God (His will). This rare term refers to people who totally turn against the Lord (used only in Ro 1:30).
insolent: Strong’s G5197. hubristés [an insolent, insulting, or violent man], Cognate: 5197 hybristḗs (a masculine noun derived from 5195 /hybrízō) – properly, someone "damaging" others by lashing out with a nasty spirit. This kind of individual is insolent (delights in wrong-doing) – finding pleasure in hurting others (G. R. Berry). "an insolent man, 'one who, uplifted with pride, either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some shameful act of wrong'" (Fritzsche, Ep. ad Romans, i., p. 86).
arrogant: Strong’s G5244. huperephanos [proud, arrogant, disdainful], showing oneself above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent especially in a bad sense, "with an overweening estimate of one's means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty" (cf. Westcott, Epistles of St. John, p. 64{b})
boastful: Strong’s G213. alazón [a boaster, one who gives one's self airs in a loud and flaunting way], Cognate: 213 alazṓn (a masculine noun) – properly, a wandering vagrant (vagabond), boasting to anyone who is foolish enough to take him seriously! This kind of person claims many things he can't really do, so he must always keep moving on to new, naive listeners. [As a masculine noun, 213 (alazṓn) tends to focus on the source of the empty boasting, i.e. the sinful arrogance that drives it.]
inventors of evil things: Strong’s G2182. epheuretés – “inventors”; Strong’s G2556. kakos – “[of] evil things.”
Strong’s G2182. epheuretés – “inventors” [an inventor, contriver]; Strong’s G2556. kakos – “[of] evil things.” [bad, evil, in the widest sense], 2556 kakós (an adjective, and the root of 2549 /kakía, "inner malice") – properly, inwardly foul, rotten (poisoned); (figuratively) inner malice flowing out of a morally-rotten character (= the "rot is already in the wood"). [2556 /kakós is often a pronominal adjective (i.e. used as a substantive) meaning, "wickedness, inner evil."]
disobedient to parents: Strong’s G545. apeithés – “disobedient”; Strong’s G1118. goneus – “[to] parents.”
Strong’s G545. apeithés – “disobedient” [unbelieving, disobedient, who will not be persuaded] Cognate: 545 apeithḗs (an adjective) – literally, unwilling to be persuaded (by God) which shows itself in outward disobedience (outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded. 545 /apeithḗs ("unpersuaded") begins with the decision to reject what God prefers, with His offer to persuade about His preferred-will (cf. 2307 /thélēma). See 543 (apeitheia). [Note the root, 3982 /peíthō ("persuade").]; Strong’s G1118. goneus – “[to] parents” [a begetter, father; plur: the parents].
haters of God: Strong’s G2319. theostugés [hating God, hateful to God], 2319 theostygḗs(a substantival adjective, derived from 2316 /theós, "God" and stygeō, "abhor") – properly, to abhor God (His will). This rare term refers to people who totally turn against the Lord (used only in Ro 1:30).
insolent: Strong’s G5197. hubristés [an insolent, insulting, or violent man], Cognate: 5197 hybristḗs (a masculine noun derived from 5195 /hybrízō) – properly, someone "damaging" others by lashing out with a nasty spirit. This kind of individual is insolent (delights in wrong-doing) – finding pleasure in hurting others (G. R. Berry). "an insolent man, 'one who, uplifted with pride, either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some shameful act of wrong'" (Fritzsche, Ep. ad Romans, i., p. 86).
arrogant: Strong’s G5244. huperephanos [proud, arrogant, disdainful], showing oneself above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent especially in a bad sense, "with an overweening estimate of one's means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty" (cf. Westcott, Epistles of St. John, p. 64{b})
boastful: Strong’s G213. alazón [a boaster, one who gives one's self airs in a loud and flaunting way], Cognate: 213 alazṓn (a masculine noun) – properly, a wandering vagrant (vagabond), boasting to anyone who is foolish enough to take him seriously! This kind of person claims many things he can't really do, so he must always keep moving on to new, naive listeners. [As a masculine noun, 213 (alazṓn) tends to focus on the source of the empty boasting, i.e. the sinful arrogance that drives it.]
inventors of evil things: Strong’s G2182. epheuretés – “inventors”; Strong’s G2556. kakos – “[of] evil things.”
Strong’s G2182. epheuretés – “inventors” [an inventor, contriver]; Strong’s G2556. kakos – “[of] evil things.” [bad, evil, in the widest sense], 2556 kakós (an adjective, and the root of 2549 /kakía, "inner malice") – properly, inwardly foul, rotten (poisoned); (figuratively) inner malice flowing out of a morally-rotten character (= the "rot is already in the wood"). [2556 /kakós is often a pronominal adjective (i.e. used as a substantive) meaning, "wickedness, inner evil."]
disobedient to parents: Strong’s G545. apeithés – “disobedient”; Strong’s G1118. goneus – “[to] parents.”
Strong’s G545. apeithés – “disobedient” [unbelieving, disobedient, who will not be persuaded] Cognate: 545 apeithḗs (an adjective) – literally, unwilling to be persuaded (by God) which shows itself in outward disobedience (outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded. 545 /apeithḗs ("unpersuaded") begins with the decision to reject what God prefers, with His offer to persuade about His preferred-will (cf. 2307 /thélēma). See 543 (apeitheia). [Note the root, 3982 /peíthō ("persuade").]; Strong’s G1118. goneus – “[to] parents” [a begetter, father; plur: the parents].
Verse 31
without understanding: Strong’s G801. asunetos [unintelligent, without wisdom, unwise, undiscerning (implying a moral defect)], 801 asýnetos (from 1 /A "not" and 4908 /synetós, "synthesized understanding") – properly, without comprehension; foolish because incoherent (failing to "put facts together"). 801 /asýnetos ("lacking synthesis") describes a person failing to structure information in a meaningful way, and therefore unable to reach necessary conclusions. This person is illogical because unwilling to use good reason.
untrustworthy: Strong’s G802. asunthetos [not covenanting, untrue to an agreement, treacherous], (συντίθεμαι to covenant), covenant-breaking, faithless: Romans 1:31 (so in Jeremiah 3:8, 11).
unloving: Strong’s G794. astorgos [unloving, devoid of affection], without natural affection, hard-hearted towards kindred.
unmerciful: Strong’s G415. aneleemon [unpitying, unmerciful, without compassion, cruel], without mercy, merciless
untrustworthy: Strong’s G802. asunthetos [not covenanting, untrue to an agreement, treacherous], (συντίθεμαι to covenant), covenant-breaking, faithless: Romans 1:31 (so in Jeremiah 3:8, 11).
unloving: Strong’s G794. astorgos [unloving, devoid of affection], without natural affection, hard-hearted towards kindred.
unmerciful: Strong’s G415. aneleemon [unpitying, unmerciful, without compassion, cruel], without mercy, merciless
Verse 32
“and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not ony do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”
It isn’t enough that these people engage in these horrendous sins as they continue to mock and ridicule God with their words, actions, thoughts, and behaviors; but they find it necessary to drag others in to their wallow of filth. Notice that it is those people who “practice” these sinful actions, that are the ones who have been turned over to a depraved (or reprobate) mind. The term “practice” refers to engaging in these sins in a regular, persistent, habitual, and certainly unrepentant manner.
It isn’t enough that these people engage in these horrendous sins as they continue to mock and ridicule God with their words, actions, thoughts, and behaviors; but they find it necessary to drag others in to their wallow of filth. Notice that it is those people who “practice” these sinful actions, that are the ones who have been turned over to a depraved (or reprobate) mind. The term “practice” refers to engaging in these sins in a regular, persistent, habitual, and certainly unrepentant manner.
c/f these verses found in Romans 1, with the related passages below:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 [NASB1995]
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 [NASB1995]
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Verse 9
the unrighteous: Strong’s G94. adikos [unjust, unrighteous, wicked], of one who breaks God's laws, unrighteous, sinful. Cognate: 94 ádikos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "no" and 1349 /díkē, "justice") – properly, without justice; unjust, because violating what God says is just; divinely disapproved. See 93 (adikia). 94/ádikos ("unjust") is injustice as a breach of divine justice, i.e. in violation of God's standards. 94 /ádikos ("unjust") describes being found guilty in God's court of law, i.e. as a binding, legal infraction against His law which calls for divine retribution for disrespecting true justice.
fornicators: Strong’s G4205. pornos [a fornicator, man who prostitutes himself], 4205 pórnos (from pernaō, "to sell off") – properly, a male prostitute. 4205 (pórnos) is "properly, 'a male prostitute' (so Xen., etc.); in the NT, any fornicator" (Abbott-Smith); i.e. anyone engaging in sexual immorality.
idolaters: Strong’s G1496. eidólolatrés [a server (worshipper) of an image (an idol)], i. e. a hireling, servant, slave), a worshipper of false gods, an idolater; anyone, even a Christian, participant in any way in the worship of heathen, especially one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of the offered victims, a covetous man, as a worshipper of Mammon.
adulterers: Strong’s G3432. moichos [an adulterer], an adulterer, that is, a man who is guilty with a married woman. Not only a man involved with a woman who is currently married, but, “[Jesus said] 31 “It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce’; 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matt.5:31-32); “9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matt.19:4-9 esp.v9). Therefore, the adulterous man is any man who engages in sexual relations with a woman other than his wife, or a woman who is divorced (this includes marrying a woman who is previously divorced for any reason other than a sexually unfaithful husband – and unless and until it is repented of and forgiveness is sincerely sought). See also 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, esp. v.15, “15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.”
effeminate: Strong’s G3120. malakoi, from 3120 malakos [of persons: soft, delicate, effeminate – catamites], of a catamite, a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, a male temple prostitute, a young male – often a teenage boy – kept for homosexual purposes, more frequently used of the passive and submissive male in a homosexual relationship.
homosexuals: Strong’s G733. arsenokoites [a male engaging in same-gender sexual activity; a sodomite, pederast], properly, a man in bed with another man; one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite, a homosexual. More frequently used of a dominant male in a homosexual relationship, or engaging in homosexual activities.
fornicators: Strong’s G4205. pornos [a fornicator, man who prostitutes himself], 4205 pórnos (from pernaō, "to sell off") – properly, a male prostitute. 4205 (pórnos) is "properly, 'a male prostitute' (so Xen., etc.); in the NT, any fornicator" (Abbott-Smith); i.e. anyone engaging in sexual immorality.
idolaters: Strong’s G1496. eidólolatrés [a server (worshipper) of an image (an idol)], i. e. a hireling, servant, slave), a worshipper of false gods, an idolater; anyone, even a Christian, participant in any way in the worship of heathen, especially one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of the offered victims, a covetous man, as a worshipper of Mammon.
adulterers: Strong’s G3432. moichos [an adulterer], an adulterer, that is, a man who is guilty with a married woman. Not only a man involved with a woman who is currently married, but, “[Jesus said] 31 “It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce’; 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matt.5:31-32); “9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matt.19:4-9 esp.v9). Therefore, the adulterous man is any man who engages in sexual relations with a woman other than his wife, or a woman who is divorced (this includes marrying a woman who is previously divorced for any reason other than a sexually unfaithful husband – and unless and until it is repented of and forgiveness is sincerely sought). See also 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, esp. v.15, “15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.”
effeminate: Strong’s G3120. malakoi, from 3120 malakos [of persons: soft, delicate, effeminate – catamites], of a catamite, a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, a male temple prostitute, a young male – often a teenage boy – kept for homosexual purposes, more frequently used of the passive and submissive male in a homosexual relationship.
homosexuals: Strong’s G733. arsenokoites [a male engaging in same-gender sexual activity; a sodomite, pederast], properly, a man in bed with another man; one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite, a homosexual. More frequently used of a dominant male in a homosexual relationship, or engaging in homosexual activities.
Verse 10
thieves: Strong’s G2812. kleptés [a thief], 2812 kléptēs – a thief who steals by stealth (in secret), rather than in the open with violence (WS, 591). An embezzler, a pilferer.
covetous: Strong’s G4123. pleonektés [a covetous or avaricious person; one desirous of having more, greedy of gain], Cognate: 4123 pleonéktēs (a masculine noun derived from 4122 /pleonektéō, "to covet") – used of "a greedy, covetous, rapacious, person; a defrauder, trampling on the rights of others" (Souter). One eager to have more, especially what belongs to others.
drunkards: Strong’s G3183. methusos [drunken, a drunkard], in later Greek also of two terminations (μέθυ, see μέθη), drunken, intoxicated: 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:10.
revilers: Strong’s G3060. loidoros [a railer, reviler, abuser], Cognate: 3060 loídoros – reproach (reviling); used of injuring another's reputation by denigrating, abusive insults (TDNT, 4:293).
swindlers: Strong’s G727. harpax [rapacious, ravenous; a robber, an extortioner], Cognate: 727 hárpaks – properly, seizing; a sudden snatching (like in a robbery). As an aside, see 726 harpazō, from which harpax is derived. in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, we are told that God will harpazō [726 harpázō – properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively – like someone seizing bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an open display of force (i.e. not covertly or secretly)] the Church. The Latin form of harpázō is rapio (used in the Latin Vulgate Bible, in 1 Thess.4:17), from which we get the transliterated English word, rapture. The Church will be raptured – seized by force, snatched away suddenly and decisively by an open display of force. (and they say “rapture” isn’t in the Bible. Of course it is.)
“10...will [not] inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
covetous: Strong’s G4123. pleonektés [a covetous or avaricious person; one desirous of having more, greedy of gain], Cognate: 4123 pleonéktēs (a masculine noun derived from 4122 /pleonektéō, "to covet") – used of "a greedy, covetous, rapacious, person; a defrauder, trampling on the rights of others" (Souter). One eager to have more, especially what belongs to others.
drunkards: Strong’s G3183. methusos [drunken, a drunkard], in later Greek also of two terminations (μέθυ, see μέθη), drunken, intoxicated: 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:10.
revilers: Strong’s G3060. loidoros [a railer, reviler, abuser], Cognate: 3060 loídoros – reproach (reviling); used of injuring another's reputation by denigrating, abusive insults (TDNT, 4:293).
swindlers: Strong’s G727. harpax [rapacious, ravenous; a robber, an extortioner], Cognate: 727 hárpaks – properly, seizing; a sudden snatching (like in a robbery). As an aside, see 726 harpazō, from which harpax is derived. in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, we are told that God will harpazō [726 harpázō – properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively – like someone seizing bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an open display of force (i.e. not covertly or secretly)] the Church. The Latin form of harpázō is rapio (used in the Latin Vulgate Bible, in 1 Thess.4:17), from which we get the transliterated English word, rapture. The Church will be raptured – seized by force, snatched away suddenly and decisively by an open display of force. (and they say “rapture” isn’t in the Bible. Of course it is.)
“10...will [not] inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
Galatians 5:19-25 [NASB1995]
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Verse 19
immorality: Strong’s G4202. porneia, [specifically sexual immorality], 4202 porneía (the root of the English terms "pornography, pornographic"; cf. 4205 /pórnos) which is derived from pernaō, "to sell off") – properly, a selling off (surrendering) of sexual purity; promiscuity of any (every) type.
impurity: Strong’s G167. akatharsia, [uncleanness, impurity], Cognate: 167 akatharsía (from 1 /A "not" and 2513 /katharós, "clean because unmixed, pure") – ritual impurity, caused by leprosy, open infection, child birth, touching a corpse, etc. See 169 (akathartos).
sensuality: Strong’s G766. aselgeia, [(outrageous conduct, conduct shocking to public decency, a wanton violence), licentiousness, wantonness, lewdness], 766 asélgeia (from aselgēs/"brutal") – properly, violent spite which rejects restraint and indulges in lawless insolence (wanton caprice).
impurity: Strong’s G167. akatharsia, [uncleanness, impurity], Cognate: 167 akatharsía (from 1 /A "not" and 2513 /katharós, "clean because unmixed, pure") – ritual impurity, caused by leprosy, open infection, child birth, touching a corpse, etc. See 169 (akathartos).
sensuality: Strong’s G766. aselgeia, [(outrageous conduct, conduct shocking to public decency, a wanton violence), licentiousness, wantonness, lewdness], 766 asélgeia (from aselgēs/"brutal") – properly, violent spite which rejects restraint and indulges in lawless insolence (wanton caprice).
Verse 20
idolatry: Strong’s G1495. eidólolatria, [service (worship) of an image (an idol)], the worship of false gods, idolatry: Galatians 5:20
sorcery: Strong’s G5331. pharmakeia, [the use of medicine, drugs or spells, magic, sorcery, enchantment], 5331 pharmakeía (from pharmakeuō, "administer drugs") – properly, drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts, etc. (A. T. Robertson). sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it: Galatians 5:20 (where see Lightfoot); of the deceptions and seductions of idolatry.
enmities: Strong’s G2189. echthra, [enmity, hostility, alienation], Cognate: 2189 éxthra – properly, enemy (hatred, hostility); enmity.
strife: Strong’s G2054. eris [contention, strife, wrangling], 2054 éris (a primitive word, NAS dictionary) – literally quarrel, strife; properly, a readiness to quarrel (having a contentious spirit), affection for dispute.
jealousy: Strong’s G2205. zelos [eagerness, zeal, rivalry], 2205 zḗlos (an omamopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over from heat and perhaps derived from 2204 /zéō, "to boil") – properly, burning emotion (inner feeling boiling over, "boiling from heat," J. Thayer); (figuratively) something very fervent ("red-hot") as with Spirit-fueled zeal to serve the Lord. This root (zē-) is used both negatively ("jealousy") and positively ("zeal") depending on the context. [The root (zē-, "zeal") literally means "hot enough to boil." It is metaphorically used of "burning anger, love, zeal" (A-S) – i.e. to burn (in spirit). It can refer to "boiling anger, love, zeal, for what is good or bad" (J. Thayer).]
outbursts of anger: Strong’s G2372. thumos [an outburst of passionate anger, wrath], 2372 thymós (from thyō, "rush along, getting heated up, breathing violently," cf. J. Thayer) – properly, passion-driven behavior, i.e. actions emerging out of strong impulses (intense emotion). When 2372 /thymós ("expressed passion") is used of people it indicates rage (personal venting of anger, worth). This flaw is completely absent of the Lord expressing (inspiring) intense anger. Accordingly, 2372 (thymós) is used of God's perfect, holy wrath in Revelation (Rev 14:10,19,15:1, etc.). This anger is directed against sin with intense opposition and without sin.
disputes: Strong’s G2052. eritheia [(the seeking of followers and adherents by means of gifts, the seeking of followers, hence) ambition, rivalry, self-seeking; a feud, faction], 2052 eritheía (from eritheuō, "work for hire") – properly, work done merely for hire (as a mercenary), referring therefore to carnal ambition (selfish rivalry). Ancient Greek uses 2052 /eritheía ("mercenary self-seeking") of acting for one's own gain, regardless of the discord (strife) it causes. 2052 /eritheía ("selfish ambition") places self-interest ahead of what the Lord declares right, or what is good for others.
dissensions: Strong’s G1370. dichostasia [division, dissension, standing apart], 1370 dixostasía (from dixa, "separately" and 4714 /stásis, "a standing, stance") – properly, separate-standings ("standing apart"), used of divisions which wrongly separate people into pointless (groundless) factions.
factions: Strong’s G139. hairesis [a self-chosen opinion, a religious or philosophical sect, discord or contention], 139 haíresis (a feminine noun derived from 138 /hairéomai, "personally select, choose") – properly, a personal (decisive) choice. 139 /haíresis ("a strong, distinctive opinion") is used in the NT of individual "parties (sects)" that operated within Judaism. The term stresses the personal aspect of choice – and hence how being a Sadducee (Ac 5:17) was sharply distinguished from being a Pharisee (Ac 15:5; 26:5). [As a feminine noun, 139 (haíresis) highlights the subjective (individual) nature of a specific (divisive) opinion.]
sorcery: Strong’s G5331. pharmakeia, [the use of medicine, drugs or spells, magic, sorcery, enchantment], 5331 pharmakeía (from pharmakeuō, "administer drugs") – properly, drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts, etc. (A. T. Robertson). sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it: Galatians 5:20 (where see Lightfoot); of the deceptions and seductions of idolatry.
enmities: Strong’s G2189. echthra, [enmity, hostility, alienation], Cognate: 2189 éxthra – properly, enemy (hatred, hostility); enmity.
strife: Strong’s G2054. eris [contention, strife, wrangling], 2054 éris (a primitive word, NAS dictionary) – literally quarrel, strife; properly, a readiness to quarrel (having a contentious spirit), affection for dispute.
jealousy: Strong’s G2205. zelos [eagerness, zeal, rivalry], 2205 zḗlos (an omamopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over from heat and perhaps derived from 2204 /zéō, "to boil") – properly, burning emotion (inner feeling boiling over, "boiling from heat," J. Thayer); (figuratively) something very fervent ("red-hot") as with Spirit-fueled zeal to serve the Lord. This root (zē-) is used both negatively ("jealousy") and positively ("zeal") depending on the context. [The root (zē-, "zeal") literally means "hot enough to boil." It is metaphorically used of "burning anger, love, zeal" (A-S) – i.e. to burn (in spirit). It can refer to "boiling anger, love, zeal, for what is good or bad" (J. Thayer).]
outbursts of anger: Strong’s G2372. thumos [an outburst of passionate anger, wrath], 2372 thymós (from thyō, "rush along, getting heated up, breathing violently," cf. J. Thayer) – properly, passion-driven behavior, i.e. actions emerging out of strong impulses (intense emotion). When 2372 /thymós ("expressed passion") is used of people it indicates rage (personal venting of anger, worth). This flaw is completely absent of the Lord expressing (inspiring) intense anger. Accordingly, 2372 (thymós) is used of God's perfect, holy wrath in Revelation (Rev 14:10,19,15:1, etc.). This anger is directed against sin with intense opposition and without sin.
disputes: Strong’s G2052. eritheia [(the seeking of followers and adherents by means of gifts, the seeking of followers, hence) ambition, rivalry, self-seeking; a feud, faction], 2052 eritheía (from eritheuō, "work for hire") – properly, work done merely for hire (as a mercenary), referring therefore to carnal ambition (selfish rivalry). Ancient Greek uses 2052 /eritheía ("mercenary self-seeking") of acting for one's own gain, regardless of the discord (strife) it causes. 2052 /eritheía ("selfish ambition") places self-interest ahead of what the Lord declares right, or what is good for others.
dissensions: Strong’s G1370. dichostasia [division, dissension, standing apart], 1370 dixostasía (from dixa, "separately" and 4714 /stásis, "a standing, stance") – properly, separate-standings ("standing apart"), used of divisions which wrongly separate people into pointless (groundless) factions.
factions: Strong’s G139. hairesis [a self-chosen opinion, a religious or philosophical sect, discord or contention], 139 haíresis (a feminine noun derived from 138 /hairéomai, "personally select, choose") – properly, a personal (decisive) choice. 139 /haíresis ("a strong, distinctive opinion") is used in the NT of individual "parties (sects)" that operated within Judaism. The term stresses the personal aspect of choice – and hence how being a Sadducee (Ac 5:17) was sharply distinguished from being a Pharisee (Ac 15:5; 26:5). [As a feminine noun, 139 (haíresis) highlights the subjective (individual) nature of a specific (divisive) opinion.]
Verse 21
envying: Strong’s G5355. phthonos [envy, a grudge, spite.], the miserable trait of being glad when someone experiences misfortune or pain; strong feeling (desire) that sours, due to the influence of sin; 5355 /phthónos ("the feeling of ill-will") refers to the jealous envy that negatively "energizes" someone with an embittered mind. 5355 /phthónos ("ill-will") conveys "displeasure at another's good; . . . without longing to raise oneself to the level of him whom he envies, but only to depress the envied to his own level" (R. Trench, 90).
drunkenness: Strong’s G3178. methé [deep drinking, drunkenness], apparently a primary word; an intoxicant, i.e. (by implication) intoxication, drunkenness.
carousing: Strong’s G2970. kómos [reveling, carousal], 2970 kṓmos – a riotous party (drunken feast) which hosted unbridled sexual immorality; hence, revelings (debauched "partying"). [2970 (kṓmos) had the original meaning, " 'a carousal,' such as a party of revelers parading the streets, or revels held in religious ceremonies, wild, furious, and ecstatic" (K. Wuest, Word Studies, Vol 2, Pastoral Epistles, 1 Peter, 112).]
and things like these: kai [and] ta [things] homoia [like] toutois [these]: Strong’s G3664. homoios – “like” [like, similar to, resembling, the same as]; Strong’s G3778. houtos, hauté, touto [that, these], οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, demonstrative pronoun; it refers to a subject immediately preceding, the one just named.
“21 ...of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
drunkenness: Strong’s G3178. methé [deep drinking, drunkenness], apparently a primary word; an intoxicant, i.e. (by implication) intoxication, drunkenness.
carousing: Strong’s G2970. kómos [reveling, carousal], 2970 kṓmos – a riotous party (drunken feast) which hosted unbridled sexual immorality; hence, revelings (debauched "partying"). [2970 (kṓmos) had the original meaning, " 'a carousal,' such as a party of revelers parading the streets, or revels held in religious ceremonies, wild, furious, and ecstatic" (K. Wuest, Word Studies, Vol 2, Pastoral Epistles, 1 Peter, 112).]
and things like these: kai [and] ta [things] homoia [like] toutois [these]: Strong’s G3664. homoios – “like” [like, similar to, resembling, the same as]; Strong’s G3778. houtos, hauté, touto [that, these], οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, demonstrative pronoun; it refers to a subject immediately preceding, the one just named.
“21 ...of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:5 [NASB1995]
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Verse 5
immoral: Strong’s G4205. pornos [a fornicator, man who prostitutes himself], 4205 pórnos (from pernaō, "to sell off") – properly, a male prostitute. 4205 (pórnos) is "properly, 'a male prostitute' (so Xen., etc.); in the NT, any fornicator" (Abbott-Smith); i.e. anyone engaging in sexual immorality.
impure: Strong’s G169. akathartos [unclean, impure], 169 akáthartos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 2513 /katharós, "clean, purged") – properly, not pure (because mixed), i.e. adulterated with "a wrong mix" and hence "unclean" (because tainted by sin).
covetous (which is idolatry): Strong’s G4123. pleonektés [a covetous or avaricious person; one desirous of having more, greedy of gain], Cognate: 4123 pleonéktēs (a masculine noun derived from 4122 /pleonektéō, "to covet") – used of "a greedy, covetous, rapacious, person; a defrauder, trampling on the rights of others" (Souter). One eager to have more, especially what belongs to others; Strong’s G1496. eidólolatrés [a server (worshipper) of an image (an idol)], i. e. a hireling, servant, slave), a worshiper of false gods, an idolater; anyone, even a Christian, participant in any way in the worship of heathen, especially one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of the offered victims, a covetous man, as a worshiper of Mammon.
impure: Strong’s G169. akathartos [unclean, impure], 169 akáthartos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 2513 /katharós, "clean, purged") – properly, not pure (because mixed), i.e. adulterated with "a wrong mix" and hence "unclean" (because tainted by sin).
covetous (which is idolatry): Strong’s G4123. pleonektés [a covetous or avaricious person; one desirous of having more, greedy of gain], Cognate: 4123 pleonéktēs (a masculine noun derived from 4122 /pleonektéō, "to covet") – used of "a greedy, covetous, rapacious, person; a defrauder, trampling on the rights of others" (Souter). One eager to have more, especially what belongs to others; Strong’s G1496. eidólolatrés [a server (worshipper) of an image (an idol)], i. e. a hireling, servant, slave), a worshiper of false gods, an idolater; anyone, even a Christian, participant in any way in the worship of heathen, especially one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of the offered victims, a covetous man, as a worshiper of Mammon.
Revelation 22:14-15 [NASB1995]
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
Verse 15
dogs: Strong’s G2965. kuón [a dog], 2965 kýōn – literally, a dog, scavenging canine; (figuratively) a spiritual predator who feeds off others.
sorcerers: Strong’s G5333. pharmakos [a poisoner, sorcerer, magician], Cognate: 5333 phármakos – properly, a sorcerer; used of people using drugs and "religious incantations" to drug people into living by their illusions – like having magical (supernatural) powers to manipulate God into giving them more temporal possessions.
immoral: Strong’s G4205. pornos [a fornicator, man who prostitutes himself], 4205 pórnos (from pernaō, "to sell off") – properly, a male prostitute. 4205 (pórnos) is "properly, 'a male prostitute' (so Xen., etc.); in the NT, any fornicator" (Abbott-Smith); i.e. anyone engaging in sexual immorality.
murderers: Strong’s G5406. phoneus [a murderer], Cognate: 5406 phoneús – a murderer, committing unjustified, intentional homicide.
idolaters: Strong’s G1496. eidólolatrés [a server (worshipper) of an image (an idol)], i. e. a hireling, servant, slave), a worshipper of false gods, an idolater; anyone, even a Christian, participant in any way in the worship of heathen, especially one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of the offered victims, a covetous man, as a worshipper of Mammon.
[everyone who] loves and practices lying: Strong’s G5368. phileó – “loves”; Strong’s G4160. poieó – “practices” ; Strong’s G5579. pseudos – “lying”
Strong’s G5368. phileó – “loves” [I love (of friendship), regard with affection, cherish; I kiss], 5368 philéō (from 5384 /phílos, "affectionate friendship") – properly, to show warm affection in intimate friendship, characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship; Strong’s G4160. poieó – “practices” [(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause] with the names of the things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.; Strong’s G5579. pseudos – “lying” [a lie, falsehood, untruth; false religion], a lie; conscious and intentional falsehood.
sorcerers: Strong’s G5333. pharmakos [a poisoner, sorcerer, magician], Cognate: 5333 phármakos – properly, a sorcerer; used of people using drugs and "religious incantations" to drug people into living by their illusions – like having magical (supernatural) powers to manipulate God into giving them more temporal possessions.
immoral: Strong’s G4205. pornos [a fornicator, man who prostitutes himself], 4205 pórnos (from pernaō, "to sell off") – properly, a male prostitute. 4205 (pórnos) is "properly, 'a male prostitute' (so Xen., etc.); in the NT, any fornicator" (Abbott-Smith); i.e. anyone engaging in sexual immorality.
murderers: Strong’s G5406. phoneus [a murderer], Cognate: 5406 phoneús – a murderer, committing unjustified, intentional homicide.
idolaters: Strong’s G1496. eidólolatrés [a server (worshipper) of an image (an idol)], i. e. a hireling, servant, slave), a worshipper of false gods, an idolater; anyone, even a Christian, participant in any way in the worship of heathen, especially one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of the offered victims, a covetous man, as a worshipper of Mammon.
[everyone who] loves and practices lying: Strong’s G5368. phileó – “loves”; Strong’s G4160. poieó – “practices” ; Strong’s G5579. pseudos – “lying”
Strong’s G5368. phileó – “loves” [I love (of friendship), regard with affection, cherish; I kiss], 5368 philéō (from 5384 /phílos, "affectionate friendship") – properly, to show warm affection in intimate friendship, characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship; Strong’s G4160. poieó – “practices” [(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause] with the names of the things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.; Strong’s G5579. pseudos – “lying” [a lie, falsehood, untruth; false religion], a lie; conscious and intentional falsehood.
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The Following Passages Don’t Necessarily State Certain People and Groups of People Who Will Not Enter Heaven, but These Passages Certainly and Strongly Suggest It
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The Following Passages Don’t Necessarily State Certain People and Groups of People Who Will Not Enter Heaven, but These Passages Certainly and Strongly Suggest It
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Hebrews 12:14 [NASB1995]
14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
sanctification: Strong’s G38. hagiasmos [consecration, the process of making or becoming holy, set apart, sanctification, holiness], Cognate: 38 hagiasmós (a masculine noun derived from 40 /hágios, "holy") – sanctification (the process of advancing in holiness); use of the believer being progressively transformed by the Lord into His likeness (similarity of nature). See 40 /hagios ("holy").
[This is a good passage to use when examining ourselves (something we should all be doing on a regular basis). Do we see the process of sanctification (becoming more holy and less worldly as the days go on) taking place within us? Is our attitude with others becoming more Christ centered, more God centered, instead of more worldly? We should be examining ourselves regularly to ensure we are really in the faith, and not simply pew warming pseudo-Christians. See also: Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Corinthians 13:5; and 2 Peter 1:5-11, especially verse 10.]
sanctification: Strong’s G38. hagiasmos [consecration, the process of making or becoming holy, set apart, sanctification, holiness], Cognate: 38 hagiasmós (a masculine noun derived from 40 /hágios, "holy") – sanctification (the process of advancing in holiness); use of the believer being progressively transformed by the Lord into His likeness (similarity of nature). See 40 /hagios ("holy").
[This is a good passage to use when examining ourselves (something we should all be doing on a regular basis). Do we see the process of sanctification (becoming more holy and less worldly as the days go on) taking place within us? Is our attitude with others becoming more Christ centered, more God centered, instead of more worldly? We should be examining ourselves regularly to ensure we are really in the faith, and not simply pew warming pseudo-Christians. See also: Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Corinthians 13:5; and 2 Peter 1:5-11, especially verse 10.]
1 Timothy 1:8-11 [NASB1995]
8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
Verse 9
lawless: Strong’s G459. anomos [lawless, wicked, without law], Cognate: 459 ánomos (from 1 /A "no" and 3551 /nómos, "law") – properly, "no-law," i.e. lawless disregard for proper authority.
rebellious: Strong’s G506. anupotaktos [not subject to rule, unruly], 506 anypótaktos (from 1 /A "not" and 5273 /hypokritḗs, "under God's arrangement") – properly, not submissive; disobedient (unruly), unwilling to come under Christ's Lordship; refusing to "fall in line with" (fit in with) God's plan; uncooperative, with a defiant attitude towards duly-appointed authority; uncontrollable, refractory (unsubjected); anti-authoritarian (rebellious).
ungodly: Strong’s G765. asebés [impious, ungodly, wicked], 765 asebḗs (an adjective which is the negation of 4576 /sébomai, "to respect") – properly, lack of reverence ("without due respect"), i.e. failing to honor what is sacred – especially in the outward (ceremonial) sense.
sinners: Strong’s G268. hamartólos [sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable], Cognate: 268 hamartōlós (a substantival adjective, derived from 264 /hamartánō, "to forfeit by missing the mark") – properly, loss from falling short of what God approves, i.e. what is "wide of the mark"; a blatant sinner.
unholy: Strong’s G462. anosios [unholy, profane], 462 anósios (an adjective, derived from 1 /A, "without" and 3741 /hósios, "reverence for what should be hallowed") – properly, utter disregard of what is sacred, i.e. willful (arrogant) disrespect of the things of God; "impious; wicked" (J. Thayer).
profane: Strong’s G952. bebélos [permitted to be trodden, by implication unhallowed], 952 bébēlos (an adjective, derived from bainō, "go" and bēlos, "a threshold to enter a building") – properly, improper, unauthorized entry – literally, "crossing a threshold" which profanes because of improper entrance. 952 /bébēlos ("profane because of improper entrance") refers to people unfit to access (know) God, because they approach Him apart from faith.
[those who] kill their fathers or mothers: Strong’s G3964. patralóas – “kill their fathers”; Strong’s G3389. métrolóas – “kill their mothers”
Strong’s G3964. patralóas – “kill their fathers” [a patricide, a murderer of his father] From pater, and the same as the latter part of metraloias; a parricide -- murderer of fathers. ; Strong’s G3389. métrolóas – “kill their mothers” [a matricide, smiter of his mother], From meter and the base of halon; a mother-thresher, i.e. Matricide -- murderer of mothers.
murderers: Strong’s G409. androphonos [a murderer, man-slayer], From aner and phonos; a murderer -- manslayer
rebellious: Strong’s G506. anupotaktos [not subject to rule, unruly], 506 anypótaktos (from 1 /A "not" and 5273 /hypokritḗs, "under God's arrangement") – properly, not submissive; disobedient (unruly), unwilling to come under Christ's Lordship; refusing to "fall in line with" (fit in with) God's plan; uncooperative, with a defiant attitude towards duly-appointed authority; uncontrollable, refractory (unsubjected); anti-authoritarian (rebellious).
ungodly: Strong’s G765. asebés [impious, ungodly, wicked], 765 asebḗs (an adjective which is the negation of 4576 /sébomai, "to respect") – properly, lack of reverence ("without due respect"), i.e. failing to honor what is sacred – especially in the outward (ceremonial) sense.
sinners: Strong’s G268. hamartólos [sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable], Cognate: 268 hamartōlós (a substantival adjective, derived from 264 /hamartánō, "to forfeit by missing the mark") – properly, loss from falling short of what God approves, i.e. what is "wide of the mark"; a blatant sinner.
unholy: Strong’s G462. anosios [unholy, profane], 462 anósios (an adjective, derived from 1 /A, "without" and 3741 /hósios, "reverence for what should be hallowed") – properly, utter disregard of what is sacred, i.e. willful (arrogant) disrespect of the things of God; "impious; wicked" (J. Thayer).
profane: Strong’s G952. bebélos [permitted to be trodden, by implication unhallowed], 952 bébēlos (an adjective, derived from bainō, "go" and bēlos, "a threshold to enter a building") – properly, improper, unauthorized entry – literally, "crossing a threshold" which profanes because of improper entrance. 952 /bébēlos ("profane because of improper entrance") refers to people unfit to access (know) God, because they approach Him apart from faith.
[those who] kill their fathers or mothers: Strong’s G3964. patralóas – “kill their fathers”; Strong’s G3389. métrolóas – “kill their mothers”
Strong’s G3964. patralóas – “kill their fathers” [a patricide, a murderer of his father] From pater, and the same as the latter part of metraloias; a parricide -- murderer of fathers. ; Strong’s G3389. métrolóas – “kill their mothers” [a matricide, smiter of his mother], From meter and the base of halon; a mother-thresher, i.e. Matricide -- murderer of mothers.
murderers: Strong’s G409. androphonos [a murderer, man-slayer], From aner and phonos; a murderer -- manslayer
Verse 10
immoral men: Strong’s G4205. pornos [a fornicator, man who prostitutes himself], 4205 pórnos (from pernaō, "to sell off") – properly, a male prostitute. 4205 (pórnos) is "properly, 'a male prostitute' (so Xen., etc.); in the NT, any fornicator" (Abbott-Smith); i.e. anyone engaging in sexual immorality.
homosexuals: Strong’s G733. arsenokoites [a male engaging in same-gender sexual activity; a sodomite, pederast], properly, a man in bed with another man; one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite, a homosexual. More frequently used of a dominant male in a homosexual relationship, or engaging in homosexual activities.
kidnappers: Strong’s G405. andrapodistés [an enslaver, one who forcibly enslaves, a kidnapper, a slave dealer], a slave-dealer, kidnapper, man-stealer, i. e. as well one who unjustly reduces free men to slavery, as one who steals the slaves of others and sells them; one who takes a person who has been taken in war, and then sells them into slavery.
liars: Strong’s G5583. pseustés [a liar, deceiver], Cognate: 5583 pseústēs (from 5574 /pseúdomai, "to falsify, lie") – properly, a lair; a person who falsifies, misrepresents (distorts, misleads).
perjurers: Strong’s G1965. epiorkos [sworn falsely, a perjurer], from ἐπί (which see D. 7) against, and ὅρκος); (masculine as a substantive) a false swearer, a perjurer: 1 Timothy 1:10.
[whatever else is] contrary to sound teaching: Strong’s G480. antikeimai – “contrary”; Strong’s G5198. hugiainó – “sound”, Strong’s G1319. didaskalia teaching”
Strong’s G480. antikeimai – “contrary” [resist, oppose, withstand, lie opposite to], 480 antíkeimai (from 473 /antí, "against" and 2743 /kautēriázō, "to place") – properly, place fully against, constitutionally oppose – like someone being thoroughly unreconcilable ("intractable, implacable").; Strong’s G5198. hugiainó – “sound” [to be well, in good health; right, reasonable, sound, pure, uncorrupted], 5198 hygiaínō (the root of the English term, "hygiene") – properly, in good working order – hence, "healthy," in sound condition (in-balance); Strong’s G1319. didaskalia “teaching” [instruction, teaching], Cognate: 1319 didaskalía (a feminine noun derived from 1321 /didáskō, "teach") – properly applied-teaching; Christian doctrine (teaching) as it especially extends to its necessary lifestyle (applications).
homosexuals: Strong’s G733. arsenokoites [a male engaging in same-gender sexual activity; a sodomite, pederast], properly, a man in bed with another man; one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite, a homosexual. More frequently used of a dominant male in a homosexual relationship, or engaging in homosexual activities.
kidnappers: Strong’s G405. andrapodistés [an enslaver, one who forcibly enslaves, a kidnapper, a slave dealer], a slave-dealer, kidnapper, man-stealer, i. e. as well one who unjustly reduces free men to slavery, as one who steals the slaves of others and sells them; one who takes a person who has been taken in war, and then sells them into slavery.
liars: Strong’s G5583. pseustés [a liar, deceiver], Cognate: 5583 pseústēs (from 5574 /pseúdomai, "to falsify, lie") – properly, a lair; a person who falsifies, misrepresents (distorts, misleads).
perjurers: Strong’s G1965. epiorkos [sworn falsely, a perjurer], from ἐπί (which see D. 7) against, and ὅρκος); (masculine as a substantive) a false swearer, a perjurer: 1 Timothy 1:10.
[whatever else is] contrary to sound teaching: Strong’s G480. antikeimai – “contrary”; Strong’s G5198. hugiainó – “sound”, Strong’s G1319. didaskalia teaching”
Strong’s G480. antikeimai – “contrary” [resist, oppose, withstand, lie opposite to], 480 antíkeimai (from 473 /antí, "against" and 2743 /kautēriázō, "to place") – properly, place fully against, constitutionally oppose – like someone being thoroughly unreconcilable ("intractable, implacable").; Strong’s G5198. hugiainó – “sound” [to be well, in good health; right, reasonable, sound, pure, uncorrupted], 5198 hygiaínō (the root of the English term, "hygiene") – properly, in good working order – hence, "healthy," in sound condition (in-balance); Strong’s G1319. didaskalia “teaching” [instruction, teaching], Cognate: 1319 didaskalía (a feminine noun derived from 1321 /didáskō, "teach") – properly applied-teaching; Christian doctrine (teaching) as it especially extends to its necessary lifestyle (applications).
The preceding lists, all of which appear in Scripture, provide descriptive traits of people who have been given over to a debased and sin-filled mind; a mind that is controlled not by the Holy Spirit, but by a demon. Please note that this doesn’t mean that anyone who engages in one of the sins mentioned is a lost and reprobated sinner. No, it means that those who engage in these sins that are mentioned in the above lists, and do so habitually, persistently, and in an unrepentant manner ––as a pattern of their life, then the chances are that they have been been given over to their sin, they have been given over to a debased, depraved, reprobate mind. They can be described by their sin.
Now, this doesn’t mean they cannot come to salvation. Of course they can, if the Lord calls them to salvation. First Corinthians, Chapter 6, Verse 11, assures of the truth of this. They can come to salvation just like anyone else can. They may be reprobate, but they are not beyond salvation. In this verse, the Apostle Paul states in this verse, “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” [c/f Heb.10:19-25]
Our responsibility is to love them, and lead them to the Lord by presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and, to pray for them constantly and live a solid Christian life that glorifies the Lord God Almighty.
I hope you have found this this brief word study beneficial. May God richly bless each of you.
Now, this doesn’t mean they cannot come to salvation. Of course they can, if the Lord calls them to salvation. First Corinthians, Chapter 6, Verse 11, assures of the truth of this. They can come to salvation just like anyone else can. They may be reprobate, but they are not beyond salvation. In this verse, the Apostle Paul states in this verse, “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” [c/f Heb.10:19-25]
Our responsibility is to love them, and lead them to the Lord by presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and, to pray for them constantly and live a solid Christian life that glorifies the Lord God Almighty.
I hope you have found this this brief word study beneficial. May God richly bless each of you.
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