Backbiters
Who more publicly defamed the characters of their neighbours, and
hurt their good name, credit and reputation, though behind their
backs:
haters of God;
some read it, "hated of God"; as all workers of iniquity are; but
rather this expresses their sin, that they were deniers of the
being and providence of God, and showed themselves to be enemies
to him by their evil works:
despiteful;
both by opprobrious words, and injurious actions:
proud;
of their natural knowledge, learning, eloquence and vain
philosophy:
boasters:
of their parts, abilities, wisdom and works; all which they
attributed to themselves, and to the sharpness of their wit,
their sagacity and industry:
inventors of evil things;
of evil schemes of morality and philosophy, and of evil
practices, as well as principles:
disobedient to parents;
which was acting contrary to the light of nature.