Romans 1:30
What does Romans 1:30 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 1:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 1:30 means
Paul adds further vices: backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents. The list ranges from socially acceptable sins, like pride and boasting, to shocking ones, like inventing new evils. Disobedience to parents shows rebellion at the most basic human authority. “Hateful to God” captures the enmity that sin nurtures against the Holy One. Insolence and haughtiness breed contempt for others, magnifying division. Paul’s breadth dismantles any self-righteousness; even if one escapes certain sins, others ensnare. The portrait is cumulative: a humanity estranged from God and from one another.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Hated by God, full of pride, without respect, full of loud talk, given to evil inventions, not honouring father or mother,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Detractors, hateful to God, contumelious, proud, haughty, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890back-biters, hateful toGod, insolent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Context
Continuing the list from verse 29, verse 30 widens the net to attitudes and actions that fracture families and communities. The mix of seemingly minor and major sins exposes the heart’s rebellion in ordinary life. Verse 31 will complete the vices, emphasizing lack of understanding, fidelity, affection, and mercy. Then verse 32 will deliver the final blow: people know such deeds deserve death, yet they do them and applaud others who do.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 94:4
They prate, they speak arrogantly: All the workers of iniquity boast themselves.
- Psalms 49:6
They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
- Proverbs 8:36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death.
- Deuteronomy 27:16
Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- 2 Chronicles 19:2
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before Jehovah.
- Psalms 81:15
The haters of Jehovah should submit themselves unto him: But their time should endure for ever.
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