“They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips” (Romans 1:29 NET).
The next attribute given to us in Romans 1:29 is the horrific act of murder. One reference defines murder as “the unlawful killing of a human being with malice.” (1) Although that definition appears straightforward, the act of murder takes many forms.
For example, “premeditated murder” refers to a killing that is planned in advance. That offense is generally classified as first-degree criminal homicide in the United States. Another type of murder is manslaughter. This describes a form of homicide that occurs when someone kills another person without prior intent.
Manslaughter is typically divided into two subcategories. The first is voluntary manslaughter (a death that occurs “in the heat of the moment” or when someone seeks to injure, but not kill someone). The second is involuntary manslaughter (or an unintentional death that results from criminal negligence or recklessness).
We should also note that “killing” does not always constitute murder, for there may be reasonable grounds that justify the act of taking another person’s life. Those grounds might include a judicially sanctioned execution (also known as capital punishment), an act of self-defense, or a circumstance where a soldier engages in lethal force against an enemy during an armed conflict.
With these things in mind, we can say murder is a crime that violates the sixth commandment and shows a callous disregard for human life. Furthermore, an act of murder demonstrates contempt for God, for it involves a lawless act that ends the life of someone who is created in His image. Murder is also an attribute of Satan, our spiritual adversary. Consider Jesus’ characterization of Satan from the Gospel of John: “…He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him…” (John 8:44).
Finally, Jesus also expanded the definition of murder to include our internal thought life as well…
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…” (Matthew 5:21-22, see also Mark 7:20-23).
To this, one source adds…
“You appeal to the sixth commandment, which forbids murder, and you feel good about this because you have never actually murdered anybody. But have you forgotten that God looks on the heart and judges by thoughts and wishes as well as by actions? Have you never been angry enough with somebody to want to murder that person? Jesus said on one occasion that even speaking a defamatory word is sufficient to incur God’s wrath for breaking this commandment (Matt. 5:21-22).” (2)
Therefore, we should seek God’s empowerment to avoid all such expressions of murder.
(1) 1536. Murder — Definition and degrees. (2020, January 17). https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1536-murder-definition-and-degrees
(2) Boice, J. M. (2005). Romans: Justification by Faith (Romans 1-4). Baker Books. [p.205]