Misery (5004) (talaiporia from talaiporos [Ro 7:24-note, Re 3:17-note] = afflicted, wretched, miserable, distressed condition in turn from tálas = suffering, wretched) is the general term that denotes the resulting harm that is always in the wake of man’s acts of destruction against his fellow man. His destructiveness inevitably leaves a trail of pain and despair. Talaiporia describes overwhelming hardship, trouble, suffering, calamity, misery or distress. Talaiporia also describes the emotional condition that arises from inner or outer torment. In the present verse misery follows in the wake of man’s destructive acts against his fellow man. Talaiporia is found 29 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Job 30:3; Ps 12:5; 14:3; 32:4; 40:2; 69:20; 88:18; 140:10; Isa 47:11; 59:7; 60:18; Jer 4:20; 6:7, 26; 15:8; 20:8; 51:35, 56; Ezek 45:9; Hos 9:6; Joel 1:15; Amos 3:10; 5:9; Mic 2:4; Hab 1:3; 2:17) The only other NT use of talaiporia is by James who writes... Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. (James 5:1) Path (3598)(hodos) when used literally describes any place along which one travels and moves from one place to another, and thus a way, a road, or a highway Destruction and misery as Newell says is the "epitome (embodiment or summary of) of human history. It is said that the ancient Troy of which Homer sang was built upon the ruins of an earlier Troy, -and that seven other Troys, each constructed upon the ruins of a former, have been found! ...Those who so loudly proclaim that the human race is "improving, "" progressing, " are blind deceivers, -blind to history, blind to present day facts, blind to the rising tide of human violence. "As it was in the days of Noah, " our Lord said, "so shall be the coming of the Son of Man." In those days of Noah the earth became "full of violence" (Ge 6:11)." (Romans 3: Verse by Verse) Denney - Wherever they go, you can trace them by the ruin and distress they leave behind. Wayne Barber - Look back over human history and what do you have? You have the ruins of cities that have been destroyed by somebody else...Homer sang a song about the city of Troy, "The city of Troy is built on the ruins of an earlier city." Since the time Homer sang that song they have found seven more cities underneath the ruins. Now you say, "I haven’t killed anybody. I haven’t shot anybody. I am a pretty decent person." No...you have covered it over. It is like putting honey over the top of it, but underneath it is the same vengefulness. One of these days, the Lord Jesus is going to take the church out of this world and this world will for the first time see the hate that has been here, the depravity of man’s heart, wickedness like never before. Thank God we are not destined for His wrath. Thank God we have received the Lamb. (The full measure of man's destructiveness) is going to be seen one day. The only thing that is restraining it right now is the presence of the Holy Spirit in this world. (Barber, Wayne. Notes on Romans) Mankind's tendency to destructiveness inevitably leaves a trail of deeply afflicted, dejected, and distressed men and women. As Godet puts it man oppresses (suntrimma) his brother, and fills his life with misery (talaipōrÃa), so that the way marked out by such a course is watered with the tears of others...this overflow of depravity and suffering arises from a void: the absence of that feeling which should have filled the heart, the fear of God (v18). (Godet, F. Commentary on Romans). Ray Stedman - Wherever man goes, ruin follows. Do we need any documentation of that today? Why do cities always develop ghettos and slums? Why do our beautiful mountains and streams become polluted? It is because of the heart of man. (Romans 3:1-20 Total Wipeout ) Robert Haldane - Men labor to destroy and to ruin one another; proceeding in their perverse ways, they cause destruction and misery. (Romans 3 Commentary). Albert Barnes - The tendency of their conduct is to destroy the virtue, happiness, and peace of all with whom they come in contact. (Romans 3 Commentary) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_314-20.htm#Misery