"...Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful..."
(Rom 1:31)
Paul in the above passages is describing the extreme wickedness of the Gentiles. Among other
things, he said they were "without natural affection." This phrase comes from one word in the
Greek, and means, literally, "to cherish affectionately" but with the negative; thus, "to not cherish
affectionately." It is found only in Rom. 1:31 and 2 Tim. 3:3 and is translated "unloving" in the
New King James Version, and "inhuman" in the Revised Standard Version.
The word well describes the temperament of many people in our time. Many do not have
affection, not even that which is naturally expected of a parent toward a child. God, speaking
through Isaiah, said, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son
of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you." (Isa. 49:15)
Let us seek to have natural affection toward all, and especially toward those of our own family.