Romans 1:26-32

Text

Romans 1:26-32. For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: Romans 1:27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due. Romans 1:28 And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; Romans 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Romans 1:30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Romans 1:31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: Romans 1:32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 1:26-32

47.

Are there some passions that are not vile? Is it true that there is nothing good or bad; only thinking makes it so?

48.

Isn-'t a sexual pervert or deviate sick? Should we censure people who are ill? Paul attributes the responsibility of sexual perversion to whom? It would amaze you to know the statistics on sexual perversion in your own Christian America. Is there any hope for these people? Do you truly believe your answer?

49.

Oh, to constantly have God in our knowledge! This is the answer to this sordid picture. Read carefully Romans 1:28-32, and see if you can divide and subdivide the words into some sort of ladder downward. Show how one leads to anotherif they do.

50.

Romans 1:32 reveals the worst quality of these people. What is it?

51.

Why does Paul give us this description as in Romans 1:18-32? Do you believe Paul met such people in his travels? Were there any in some of the churches who formerly walked in these things? Specify.

Paraphrase

Romans 1:26-32. I say, because they changed the truth concerning God into a lie, God left them to be led by the most shameful lusts. For even their women changed the use of their bodies into that which is contrary to nature, burning with lust towards one another.

Romans 1:27 In like manner also, the men, forsaking the natural use of the women, burned with their lust towards one another, men with men working habitually that which is shameful, whereby they received in their own minds and bodies that punishment for their error concerning God which was fit. The idolatry whereby they dishonored God, naturally led them to dishonor themselves, by lascivious practices, in imitation of their gods.

Romans 1:28 And as the Grecian legislators and philosophers did not approve of holding the knowledge of God with that worship which is due to him, God delivered them and their people over to a dead conscience, so that they practiced habitually those things which are not suitable to human nature:

Romans 1:29 Being not slightly tinctured, but filled with every kind of injustice, uncleanness, treachery, covetousness, malicious dealing; full of envy, murder, strife, cunning, habitual bad disposition, whispering evil of their neighbors.

Romans 1:30 Revilers, haters of God on account of his purity, insolent towards their inferiors, proud, boasters of qualities which they did not possess, inventors of unlawful pleasures, disobedient to parents;

Romans 1:31 Imprudent in the management of affairs, having no regard to the faith of covenants, without natural affection to their children and relations, implacable towards their enemies, unmerciful to the poor:

Romans 1:32 So utterly corrupt are they, that although they know the law of God, that they who practice such things shall be punished with death, they not only commit these crimes themselves, but even take delight in and encourage those who practice them; which is a demonstration that their wickedness is not to be cured by their own natural powers.

Summary

Being abandoned of God, both their men and women degraded themselves by their vile practices. They received in their own bodies the due reward of their error. They rejected God from their knowledge, and he rejected them. After this they became filled with every vice and crime. These they not only practiced themselves, but even had delight in others for practicing them. All this they did, knowing the decree of God, both against their sins and against themselves. They therefore sinned willfully and recklessly.

18.

Why did God give them up? What was the recompense for their sin?

19.

To what extent did these Gentiles indulge in sin?

20.

What is the final word of condemnation given against the Gentiles?

Comment

Why did God give them up? Because they refused to have him in their knowledge. How could they have him before their mind while they indulged in such vile passions as attributed to both men and women in Romans 1:26-27 a? In all this free reign of lust there was to be found the sure recompense of their error in their own bodies (Romans 1:27 b). Because they abandoned their minds to sin and gave God no place in their knowledge God gave them up to do those things which are not fitting (Romans 1:28). The Gentiles were (and are) filled with the terrible catalog of sins described in Romans 1:29-31.

The final toll of the bell of doom in all of this willful sin is that they who knew the law of God and realized that they who did such things under such conditions were worthy of the penalty of the wrath of God, actually encouraged others to do the same (Romans 1:32). (Romans 1:26-32)

Rethinking in Outline Form

II.

Proposition Needed. Romans 1:18 to Romans 3:20

1.

Needed by the Gentiles. Romans 1:18-32

a.

Needed by the Gentiles because they were under the wrath of God Romans 1:18 a

(1)

They were objects of God's wrath for the following reasons:

(a)

Although they had a knowledge of God's power and divinity through creation, they through their sin stifled this truth. Romans 1:18 b - Romans 1:20

(b)

Deliberately ignoring their knowledge of God they entered into vain speculation. This ended in the worst type of idolatry. Romans 1:21-23

(c)

God had to give them up because of their absolute moral degradation. Romans 1:24-32

2.

Needed by the Jews. Romans 2:1, Romans 3:9 a