Vices: Part 3
Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
"Backbiter" are defamers, evil speakers. As opposed to whisperers, these may do so on any forum. The basic premise is a disrespect for one's opponent, a disregard for human dignity.
"haters of God" these are exceptionally impious towards God. They detest God.
"Violent" In particular this word is "hubristes" is Greek, from which we get the English word "Hubris" meaning arrogance. The Greek lexicon has "hubristes" as one who, uplifted with pride, either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some shameful act of wrong and finds pleasure in such acts. Ps 11:5 "The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates" It's found a few places in the LXX where it's often translated "pride". Job 40:11b "Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him." Pr 15:25 "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow."
"Proud" (huperephanos) is distinction from "hubristes" in that it refers to "showing one’s self above others". Sort of Jesus' criticism of the religious elite of his day in Matthew 23. The Lexicon elaborates that "huperephanos describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others." It's also the word used in the catch phrase "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (Pr 3:34)
"Boasters" The lexicon describes as, "one who tells great things concerning his own prowess and achievements, with the implied idea that many of his claims are false. This word naturally describes a trait which manifests itself in contact with one’s fellow men, not one which exists simply within the heart." Paul says, "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" Gal 6:14 Avoid boasting about yourself, for inevitably the human (sinful) nature will cause one to make too much of oneself.
"Inventors of evil things" is the product of "evil-mindedness". These contrive of new ways to do evil or investors of things which are used for the purpose of evil.
"Disobedient to parents" falls under the general category of disregarding legitimate human authority. But respect for parents is something God particularly takes seriously. In fact under the Law of Moses it says, "Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death." Ex 21:17 And "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard.' Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid." Deut 21:18-21 So "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Eph 6:1
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
"Backbiter" are defamers, evil speakers. As opposed to whisperers, these may do so on any forum. The basic premise is a disrespect for one's opponent, a disregard for human dignity.
"haters of God" these are exceptionally impious towards God. They detest God.
"Violent" In particular this word is "hubristes" is Greek, from which we get the English word "Hubris" meaning arrogance. The Greek lexicon has "hubristes" as one who, uplifted with pride, either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some shameful act of wrong and finds pleasure in such acts. Ps 11:5 "The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates" It's found a few places in the LXX where it's often translated "pride". Job 40:11b "Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him." Pr 15:25 "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow."
"Proud" (huperephanos) is distinction from "hubristes" in that it refers to "showing one’s self above others". Sort of Jesus' criticism of the religious elite of his day in Matthew 23. The Lexicon elaborates that "huperephanos describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others." It's also the word used in the catch phrase "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (Pr 3:34)
"Boasters" The lexicon describes as, "one who tells great things concerning his own prowess and achievements, with the implied idea that many of his claims are false. This word naturally describes a trait which manifests itself in contact with one’s fellow men, not one which exists simply within the heart." Paul says, "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" Gal 6:14 Avoid boasting about yourself, for inevitably the human (sinful) nature will cause one to make too much of oneself.
"Inventors of evil things" is the product of "evil-mindedness". These contrive of new ways to do evil or investors of things which are used for the purpose of evil.
"Disobedient to parents" falls under the general category of disregarding legitimate human authority. But respect for parents is something God particularly takes seriously. In fact under the Law of Moses it says, "Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death." Ex 21:17 And "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard.' Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid." Deut 21:18-21 So "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Eph 6:1
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
