"...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.