Romans Verse-by-Verse

Session 4 | Romans 1:26-2:1

Romans 1:18-3:39 | The Case Rejected

• Verse 26 — Blue

  • Due to the fact they changed the truth of God into a lie (v. 25) God gave them up to vile affections. This implies that God held onto until He was totally rejected, and then he handed over those who rejected Him. This is the second of the three God gave them up statements (v. 24, 26, 28). Each of the three speak of Gentiles. Similar statements are found in Acts 7:42 and 2 Chronicles 30:7, both times in relation to Israel.

  • The word affections is *πάθος [pathos]. Pathos is always negative in the Bible, though sometimes positive or negative in other ancient Greek literature. It also always has a negative connotation in English, as the feelings of sadness. Consider, for example, the related English words: pathology* (the study of disease), apathy (an absence of the emotion of pity or sadness), sympathy (joining a person in their sadness), and pathetic (arousing pity). Along with pathos, Paul uses the adjective ἀτιμία [atimia], literally "without honor" to strengthen the already negative noun.

  • Both here and v. 27, natural is φυσικός [physicos], thus natural use can be understood as the physical use. The change is against nature, for which the Greek is παρα φυσιν [para physin]. The word *physin *(from physis) and the word physicos are of the same root. The para (alongside) is used in the sense of a failure to be in alignment with the *physicos and only being "along side" thus "not on target" (used in the same sense that paranormal** *is "not normal.")

    
    

• Verse 27 — Blue

  • In terms of physical purpose, there is a natural use of the woman“different plumbing" because it serves a “different purpose." Perhaps one reason that modern leftist ideology rejects the idea that men and women are inherently different is because it ultimately rejects the Bible and any truth reflected in Scripture.

    
    Paul uses the word ἄρσην [arsen] for men, which is a specific word meaning male. Likewise, he used the gender word female in verse 26. This clarifies that he is not talking about some problem among mankind, but an unnatural use of male to male and female to female. Not only is this activity against nature (v. 26) but also unseemly (that is, shameful).

  • Those doing such unseemly activity are receiving in themselves that recompence of their error. While we could take this as direct judgement of God, the grammar lends itself better to the argument that there is a natural recompence of such activity, not requiring the direct judgment of God. This recompence could be as simple as an inability to reproduce or even the absence of stress-free family life. Of course, it could also be diseases which affect those of a homosexual lifestyle in vastly greater proportions than those of a heterosexual or abstinence lifestyle.

  • Notice that God gave them up to these vile affections. Thus, the more a society rejects the truth of God, the greater the prevalence of homosexuality will appear in a society.

    
    

• Verse 28 - Blue

  • We have a third God gave them over statement. This time it is not because they changed the truth of God into a lie (v. 25) but because they did not like to retain God in their knowledge. This is a lighter rejection of God, and comes with a lighter abandonment, one which is wholly toward evil but not completely against nature.

  • There is a play on words with did not like to retain and reprobate mind, both of which are from the root δοκιμαζω [dokimazo], which is to make a judgement. Because the people made a judgment against God, He, in turn, made them to be without judgement in their thinking (i.e.: reprobate*). *

  • The word convenientκαθήκω [katheko], where kat is a multiplier prefix and heko is "to come." With the negative qualifier, "things which will never come [to pass]." So, metaphorically, "to do things which are not based in reality." In 1611 the word convenient had the same meaning as the Greek katheko*, from the Latin con *(with) and venire "to come."

    
    

• Verses 29-31 — Blue

  • These three verses provide a list that largely does not need explanation. It is a list, no doubt partial, of the activities of a reprobate mind (v. 28). When the ability to make good judgment ceases, society becomes unmanageable. Though it is not mentioned here, it is worthy to note that history proves that unmanageable societies always result in anarchy which is resolved with tyranny.

    
    

• Verse 32 -- Blue

  • Continuing to speak of those who did not like to retain God in their knowledge (v. 28), Paul says that they choose to ignore the judgment of God, both doing and applauding others that do the things of the representative list.

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Verse number	Characteristic	Given over to…	Seen in…
    24	They knew God but glorified him not (v. 21)	Empty wisdom and general lust.	Religious societies that worship false gods (Islam, eastern religions, etc).
    26	They changed the truth of God into a lie (v. 25)	Homosexuality	Western atheistic society.
    28	They did not like to retain God in their knowledge (v. 28)	A reprobate mind	Western secular society.

    
    
    
    

• Verse 2:1 — Blue

  • Paul now moves from talking of males and females (vv. 26-27) to talking to a representative man (using the word that can be used of male or female). Paul speaks to the individual, stating that without God there is simply no room for judgment (for God is the standard of righteousness).

  • Without God, mankind in general and men in particular are all unmanageable.