24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

 

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 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.

 

28 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. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 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.

 

1:24-25: The second kind of person Paul addresses is the “wrestler.” “I shouldn’t be judged because it’s not my fault. I can’t break free of my behavior patterns.” These words represent the type of person Paul was addressing in Romans 1:24-32. How does Paul reply? God has given you over to your passions because you have failed to give Him the proper glory, honor, and thanks.

 

Before addressing the specific interpretation of these verses, I want to share a few observations. First, while it’s true that God pursues us (Psalm 139; Luke 15) He also gives us over to our sinful ways (see Judges; Ephesians 4:19 and later Romans 1:26, 1:28). The story of the prodigal son, for example, includes his “reckless living.” (Luke 15:13)

 

Second, although no one has an excuse before God (1:18-23), we are never too far from His grace (Mephibosheth: 2 Samuel 9). Third, Paul connects our sinful behavior with false worship and idolatry. Thus, there’s something intrinsic about worship that impacts our spiritual renewal and transformation and conversely, our fall into sin.    

 

According to Moo, the phrase “gave them up” (1:24; 1:26; 1:28) was “regularly used in the stereotyped formula according to which God ‘hands over’ Israel’s enemies so that they may be defeated in battle….the same formula is used when God hands his own people over to another nation as punishment for their sins.” (110) God “gave them up…to impurity” because they were already living “in the lusts of their hearts.” (1:24; cf. Romans 6:16)  

 

All of this deviant behavior flows from idolatry—they “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” (1:25) Is Paul referring to Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve believed the creature’s (Satan) lie or simply using “creature” to refer to any animal or object? Perhaps, it’s a bit of both: Paul is saying that we are just like Adam and Eve (believed Satan’s lie) and the Israelites who worshiped the golden calf.

 

1:26-27: “God gave them up to dishonorable passions.” The traditional view is that Paul is condemning homosexual relationships. Against this traditional position, several opposing views have been advanced. Before we address these views it’s important to make a few observations.

 

First, Scripture as a whole teaches that homosexuality is a sin (Genesis 1-2 indirectly; 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10). Also, the broader context of Romans 1:18-3:20 and the immediate context (1:28-32) is dealing with sin. In short, Paul, “the prosecutor,” is making the case that Gentiles, Jews, and the whole of humanity is guilty before God.

 

Now let’s discuss (and briefly reply to) four opposing views to the traditional interpretation.

1. Paul was condemning excessive lust in homosexual relationships (not loving ones).

• Paul was not only judging “lust.” (1:24) If so, how do we explain his inclusion of women?

• Paul connects judgment (“due penalty”) with their decision (“for their error”) (1:27)

 

2. Paul was condemning homosexual relations between men and boys (pederasty)

• Paul highlights the relationship between women with women and men with men

• Paul does not mention boys

 

3. Paul was condemning those in positions in power (social status, wealthy, officials, etc.)

• Paul addressed women and men as a whole (and not limited to only people in power)

• Why didn’t Paul direct his words towards these groups of people?

 

4. Paul was condemning those who go against their natural desires (but our natural desire is for homosexual relationships)

• “Nature” does not refer to a person’s desire but God’s “creative intent” (heterosexual relationships: Genesis 1-2).

• Thus, to sin “contrary to nature” (1:26) would be to go against “God’s created order.” (Moo, 115)

• Natural is not defined by a person’s natural desire. Rather, Romans 1:27 explains it as “men…[who] gave up natural relations with women.” (1:27)

1:28-32: Although commentators have attempted to classify these twenty-one vices, I will simply make four general remarks and explain their significance. First, I believe that people hate God (1:30) because they prefer to worship and serve idols and He calls us pursue holiness.  

 

Second, we can be instruments of evil and malice (1:29, 1:30)—even to the point of murdering others (1:29). Third, a lack humility—we are insolent, haughty, and boastful (1:30) keeps us from submitting to God. Fourth, our sins of covetousness, envy, strife, deceit, gossip, slander, and being disobedient to parents undermine our families and spiritual communities (1:29-30).  

 

Let me conclude Romans 1:24-32 with three observations. First, homosexuality (1:24-27) is only one of many sins discussed in this passage—Paul also highlights a list of twenty-one “vices.” (1:28-32).

 

Second, our sinful nature includes the propensity/desire to sin. Each person is different with respect to kind and degree. The propensity/desire to sin is not sinful. We sin when we act on our propensities/desires.

 

Third, Paul warns us about approving sinful practices (1:32). Is it possible that some of us have allowed our society to shape our ethics and morality rather than Scripture?

 

In conclusion, regardless of our struggle with sin, God has not given up on us. In response to our sin, God’s grace has been revealed at the cross, in our spiritual community, and communion.

 

1. What’s significant about the phrase: “God gave them up?” (1:24, 1:26, 1:28)

 

2. What’s the connection between giving thanks, honoring, and worshiping God and idolatry? To what extent do you commit idolatry?

 

3. Why do you think Paul highlighted sexual sin (homosexuality)?  

 

4. Why do you think people (sometimes) place more authority in society rather than in Scripture?

 

5. Read from the list of vices in 1:28-32. Do any of these sins have more power over you? If possible, please share within your small group or find another person to share about your struggles.

 

6. The Bible provides three ways to address our sinful ways: the Cross, Community, and Communion (experiencing the gospel).

• Cross: We will never “defeat” our sins unless we first have a renewed heart. Only by having a new life in Christ, can anyone begin to have victory over our sins. Have you come to saving knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ? What’s stopping you?

 

• Community: We were not created to live independent and isolated lives from one another. God created to us to do life together. We need a spiritual community to listen, support, encourage, challenge, and pray for us as we put to death our idols. How does community help you overcome some of your “vices?”

 

• Communion: In light of our brokenness, Christians need to experience the blessings of the gospel (grace, forgiveness, peace, spiritual union with Christ, justification, Spirit’s presence and power). How can we experience the blessings of the gospel on a regular, daily basis?