King James Version

What Does Romans 1:29 Mean?

Romans 1:29 in the King James Version says “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debat...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,”

Romans 1:29 · KJV

Context

27

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; to retain: or, to acknowledge a reprobate: or, a mind void of judgment or, an unapproving mind

29

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30

Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: without natural: or unsociable

Read Romans 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Which of these sins most characterizes your thought life, even if not acted upon externally?
  2. How does being 'filled' (πληρόω) with vice contrast with being 'filled with the Spirit' (Ephesians 5:18)?
  3. In what ways does contemporary culture normalize or celebrate these sins that Paul condemns?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
πεπληρωμένους1 of 14

“Being filled with”

G4137

to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute

πάσῃ2 of 14

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἀδικίᾳ3 of 14

“unrighteousness”

G93

(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)

πορνείᾳ,4 of 14

“fornication”

G4202

harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry

πονηρίᾳ5 of 14

“wickedness”

G4189

depravity, i.e., (specially), malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins

πλεονεξίᾳ6 of 14

“covetousness”

G4124

avarice, i.e., (by implication) fraudulency, extortion

κακίᾳ7 of 14

“maliciousness”

G2549

badness, i.e., (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble

μεστοὺς8 of 14

“full”

G3324

replete (literally or figuratively)

φθόνου9 of 14

“of envy”

G5355

ill-will (as detraction), i.e., jealousy (spite)

φόνου10 of 14

“murder”

G5408

murder

ἔριδος11 of 14

“debate”

G2054

a quarrel, i.e., (by implication) wrangling

δόλου12 of 14

“deceit”

G1388

a trick (bait), i.e., (figuratively) wile

κακοηθείας13 of 14

“malignity”

G2550

bad character, i.e., (specially) mischievousness

ψιθυριστάς14 of 14

“whisperers”

G5588

a secret calumniator

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 1:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 1:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 12:20Proverbs 16:28Proverbs 26:20Psalms 41:7

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Romans 1 with CommentaryAll Romans ChaptersComplete Romans QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes