Characteristics of Unrepentant Sinners in Romans Two
In Romans 2, the Apostle Paul describes the characteristics of unrepentant sinners, building on his earlier indictment of humanity in Romans 1. This chapter serves as a vindication of God's just judgment against both Gentiles, who did not have the Mosaic Law, and Jews, who did [1]. Paul's description highlights a range of behaviors and attitudes that mark those who resist God's call to repentance.
One primary characteristic is a persistent engagement in "unrighteousness" [9]. This broad term encompasses a variety of sins, which Paul details in Romans 1:29-32 and are echoed in other New Testament vice lists [2, 5]. These lists include behaviors such as covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malignity [9]. Such individuals are described as "money-loving" or "covetous," a vice that is elsewhere called "a root of all evil" [2, 6]. They are also characterized as "boasters," indicating an empty pride [2].
Unrepentant sinners are further identified by their lack of peace and their tendency toward slander and variance [3]. They are described as "wavering," neither fully living nor fully dead spiritually, suggesting an instability in their moral and spiritual state [3]. This wavering is not merely indecision but a pattern of behavior that includes railing against others and constant discord [3].
A critical aspect of unrepentance is the rejection of God's patience and kindness. Paul states that those who persist in sin are storing up wrath for themselves on the day of judgment [4]. This is because God's wrath is directed against sin, and those who remain in their sinful nature are subject to it [4]. The unrepentant are those who have not experienced adoption by God, and their actions reflect a nature that is under the control of passionate desires and inclinations [4, 5].
The concept of repentance involves ceasing from sins and not looking back to them [7]. Forgiveness of past sins is granted by God, but the responsibility for future sins rests with the individual, who must actively choose to repent [7]. Therefore, the unrepentant sinner is one who fails to make this choice, continuing in a pattern of behavior that is contrary to God's will. This persistent refusal to turn from sin leads to a state of condemnation, a stark contrast to the "no condemnation" experienced by those who are in Christ Jesus [8]. The characteristics of unrepentant sinners, as outlined in Romans 2 and related passages, depict individuals whose lives are marked by a deep-seated rebellion against God, manifested in various immoral and unrighteous acts, and a refusal to acknowledge their need for change [1, 9].
Sources
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 2 This chapter contains, in general, a vindication of the justice and equity of the divine procedure against men, such as are described in the preceding chapter; and a refutation of the several pleas that might be made by the Gentiles, who had not the law, and by the Jews who had it; and concludes with exposing the wickedness of the latter, and with showing who they are that are properly Jews, and circumcised persons, in the account of God. It begins, in Rom 2:1, with an inference deduced from what had been said in the latter part ”
- 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 3:2: men--in the professing Church. Compare the catalogue, Rom 1:29, &c., where much the same sins are attributed to heathen men; it shall be a relapse into virtual heathendom, with all its beast-like propensities, whence the symbol of it is "a beast" (Rev 13:1, Rev 13:11-12, &c.; Rev 17:3, Rev 17:8, Rev 17:11). covetous--Translate, "money-loving," a distinct Greek word from that for "covetous" (see on Col 3:5). The cognate Greek substantive (Ti1 6:10) is so translated, "the love of money is a (Greek, not 'the') root of all evil." boasters--empty boas”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. VII.: "And as many as gave in the branches half-withered and cracked, hear also about them. They whose branches were half-withered to the same extent are the wavering; for they neither live, nor are they dead. And they who have them half-withered and cracked are both waverers and slanderers, [railing against the absent,] and never at peace with one another, but always at variance. And yet to these also," he continued, "repentance is possible. You see," he said, "that some of them have repented, and there is still”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:3: 2:3 Unconverted people are naturally under the control of the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature (see Rom 3:9-20, 23). Because of their sin, they are subject to God’s anger, because God hates sin (see Eph 5:6; Rom 1:18; 2:5, 8; 3:5, 19; 4:15; 5:9; 9:22; 12:19; 13:4-5; Col 3:6; 1 Thes 1:10; 2:16; 5:9).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:8: 21:8 This vice list summarizes sins described throughout Revelation. These sins characterize people who have not experienced adoption by God; their fate is the fiery lake (see Rom 1:29-32; Gal 5:19-21; 2 Tim 3:2-5; cp. Exod 20:13-17; see also study note on Rev 20:10). • all liars: John apparently viewed deception as the root of sin; elsewhere he describes Satan as the “father of lies” (John 8:44; 1 Jn 2:4; see Rev 14:5; 21:27; 22:15; cp. Matt 12:34).”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 2:3: through, &c.--Greek, "IN covetousness" as their element (Pe2 2:14, end). Contrast Co2 11:20; Co2 12:17. of a long time--in God's eternal purpose. "Before of old ordained to condemnation" (Jde 1:4). lingereth not--though sinners think it lingers; "is not idle." damnation--Greek, "destruction" (see on Pe2 2:1). Personified. slumbereth not--though sinners slumber.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — WHO IS THE RICH MAN THAT SHALL BE SAVED? (part 27): forgive the repenting brethren.[10] "And if we, being evil, know to give good gifts,"[11] much more is it the nature of the Father of mercies, the good Father of all consolation, much pitying, very merciful, to be long-suffering, to wait for those who have turned. And to turn is really to cease from our sins, and to look no longer behind. XL. Forgiveness of past sins, then, God gives; but of future, each one gives to himself. And this is to repent, to condemn the past”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 8:1: I. The apostle here beings with one signal privilege of true Christians, and describes the character of those to whom it belongs: There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, Rom 8:1. This is his triumph after that melancholy complaint and conflict in the foregoing chapter - sin remaining, disturbing, vexing, but, blessed be God, not ruining. The complaint he takes to himself, but humbly transfers the comfort with himself to all true believers, who are all interested in it. 1. It is the unspeakable privilege and comfort of all those tha”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 1:29: Being filled with all unrighteousness,.... From hence, to the end of the chapter, follows a large and black list and catalogue of the sad characters of the Gentiles, and of the best men they had among them; for the apostle is all along speaking, not of the common people, but of their wise professors, and moral instructors; than which there never was a more wicked set of men that ever lived upon the face of the earth; who under the guise of morality were guilty of the greatest pride and covetousness, and of the most filthy debaucheries imaginable: they were "filled wit”