Lexical Summary aneleemon: Unmerciful, without mercy Original Word: ἀνελεήμων Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unmerciful. From a (as a negative particle) and eleemon; merciless -- unmerciful. see GREEK a see GREEK eleemon Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 415: ἀνελεήμωνἀνελεήμων, ἀνελεημον, genitive ἀνελεήμονος (alpha privative and ἐλεήμων), without mercy, merciless: Romans 1:31. ((Aristotle, rhet. Alex. 37, p. 1442a, 13); Proverbs 5:9, etc.; Sir. 13:12, etc.; Wis. 12:5 Wis. 19:1.) STRONGS NT 415a: ἀνέλεοςἀνέλεος, ἀνελεον, without mercy, merciless: James 2:13 L T Tr WH, unusual form for ἀνίλεως R G. The Greeks said ἀνηλεής and ἀνελεης, cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 710f; Winer's Grammar, 100 (95). Strong’s Greek 415 portrays a person who withholds compassion. It describes an ethical state rather than a momentary lapse—a settled disposition that refuses pity, mercy, or kindness toward another human being. Biblical Context in Romans 1:31 Paul places the term in his sweeping diagnosis of Gentile depravity (Romans 1:18–32). The Spirit-inspired catalogue moves from idolatry to relational breakdown and culminates with “senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless” (Romans 1:31). The word shows the moral bottom of a society that has rejected the knowledge of God: when divine mercy is spurned, human mercy evaporates. Contrast with Divine Mercy God is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4), “abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). Scripture highlights the sharp contrast between the Creator’s gracious nature and the creature’s potential for mercilessness. The gospel displays this contrast most vividly: “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The merciless heart thus stands in direct opposition to the revealed character of God. Old Testament Background Old Covenant law occasionally commanded Israel to execute judgment “without pity” (Deuteronomy 19:13) against persistent evil, but those acts were judicial, not personal cruelty. By contrast, the prophets condemn oppression that springs from a merciless heart (Isaiah 58:6–7; Amos 1:11). The shepherd metaphor in Ezekiel 34 indicts leaders who “ruled them with harshness and severity,” showing how a lack of mercy ruins a community. New Testament Emphasis on Mercy The Lord Jesus elevates mercy to a kingdom hallmark: James presses the issue home: “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). The presence or absence of mercy evidences whether saving faith is genuine. Theological Observations 1. Depravity: Strong’s 415 exposes the social cost of sin. When man rejects God, horizontal relationships fracture. Historical Interpretation Early church writers such as Clement of Rome and Polycarp urged believers to guard against a merciless spirit, seeing it as evidence of falling back into pagan ways. Medieval commentators linked Romans 1:31 to the cruelty of persecuting powers. Reformers highlighted the verse as proof that works cannot save; only regeneration can transform the heart. Practical Ministry Implications • Pastoral diagnosis: A congregation tolerant of cruelty or indifference to the needy may signal deeper doctrinal drift. Warnings and Promises Scripture warns that those who practice mercilessness “know God’s righteous decree… yet continue to do so” and are “worthy of death” (Romans 1:32). Conversely, those who extend mercy mirror the Father and will receive mercy in the day of Christ (Matthew 5:7). Key Related Passages for Study Deuteronomy 19:13; Psalm 103:8; Isaiah 58:6–7; Matthew 5:7; Matthew 18:33; Luke 6:36; Luke 10:25–37; James 2:13; Jude 1:22–23. |
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