Romans 1: 26-32: God Gave Them Up - Bible Studies With Mark

 

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. [Rom 1:26-32 ESV]

 

Paul is continuing his explanation of our fall into sin that began in Romans 1:18–25. Having rejected the knowledge of God and worshiped creation instead of the Creator, we experience God’s wrath. This is a present consequence of our sin that will be completed with future judgement. The phrase “God gave them up” in verses 24, 26, and 28 mark a progression of diving judgement. Those who persistently reject God will experience consequences now and in the future judgment to come. When we persistently reject God, He allows us to follow our sinful desires unchecked, leading to moral and spiritual corruption.

 

In verses 26-27 Paul addresses “dishonorable passions.” Paul is writing about same-sex relations as a clear example of rebellion against God’s created order. The phrase “contrary to nature” refers to Genesis 1-2 where God’s original design is explained. God created us, male and female, for procreation and companionship. Paul writes that this behavior (when men and women abandon natural relations) is “dishonorable” and “shameless”. Natural relations between a man and a woman are not cultural nor are they limited to Paul’s time. This is a universal moral truth grounded in creation. The consequence of this sin, the “due penalty”, can be physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual. And let’s not forget divine displeasure.

 

Because we “did not see fit to acknowledge God,” He “gave [us] up to a debased mind”. This debased mind is crippled with moral and mental corruption where discernment between right and wrong becomes distorted. Sin is not only what we do. Sin itself is a judicial consequence of rebellion against God. The mind darkened by sin can no longer think rightly about God or morality. 

 

Paul continues by listing twenty-one sins that illustrate the breakdown of our character and our society when we reject God. The list includes “little” sins such as gossip, pride, and disobedience to parents along with “big” sins like murder, malice, and hatred of God. These twenty-one sins are examples of behaviors that express our rebellion against God. Our hearts are revealed to be utterly depraved (cf. Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:20–23).

 

Our guilt is compounded when people not only know God’s moral law (Romans 2:15), they approve of sin and encourage others to practice it. This is the ultimate expression of rebellion — celebrating evil as good (Isaiah 5:20). The “deserve to die” clause refers to spiritual and eternal death — separation from God, which is the rightful wage of sin (Romans 6:23).

 

God’s Wrath Is Revealed Now — The “giving up” of sinners to their desires is both a present act of wrath and a foretaste of final judgment. When God is rejected, His moral order collapses in human hearts and societies. The distortion of sexual relations mirrors the deeper distortion of man’s relationship with the Creator. Paul’s list of 21 other sins levels the moral playing field; no one is exempt (Romans 3:9–10). And in God’s judgement, there is no “big” and “little” sin. All sin will be judged using the standard of God’s righteousness. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only remedy for sin.

 

Believers must affirm God’s design for sexuality and morality, even when culture rejects it. The proper response to sinners is not hatred but the call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9–11). These verses warn all of us — not just “others” — of the danger of hardening our hearts toward God.