Romans 1:28-32 NKJV – 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; [they are] whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. V1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
V28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting…
The Greek word for like is (G1381) δοκιμάζω dokimázō, which means (BDG and Thayer):
“Definition:
- to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
- to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
So, after examination, they rejected God. Both the majority of the Israeli people and leaders rejected Jesus (Luke 9:22, Luke 17:25, and Luke 20:17).
In general and sadly, more people reject Him than accept Him (John 3:36, John 12:48, and 1 Peter 2:7).
God’s punishment? A debased mind. The Greek word for debased is (G96) ἀδόκιμος adókimos, which means not acceptable, thus, here it is not thinking about God, His worldview, lifestyle, and rules. They did not even give Him any thoughts. They wanted their own ideas only. Since they tested and rejected, God punishes them by giving them a debased, rejected, mind.
Vincent writes: “Lit., not standing the test. See on is tried, James 1:12; and see on trial, 1 Peter 1:7. There is a play upon the words. As they did not approve, God gave them up unto a mind disapproved.”
The Greek word for retain is (G2192) ἔχω échō, which means to hold on to in many, many senses. Here, it is to hold on to a knowledge of the one true God. Instead of holding on to a knowledge of God, they cast aside the one God. They choose different gods, no god (atheism), or they don’t know if there is a god (agnosticism).
The Greek word for not fitting is (G2520) καθήκω kathḗkō, which means not fitting, that is shameful and forbidden.
V29 …being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; [they are] whisperers…
Listed here are 11 sins.
What does a debased mind think like? It is filled with all the nouns in verses 29-31.
The fruits of this lifestyle are found in Galatians 5:19-21.
It is as it is mentioned in Genesis 6:5.
Contrast the Lord Jesus who is sinless (1 John 3:5 and 1 Peter 2:22).
V30 …backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents…
Another 7 sins added to the list.
V31 …undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful…
These 23 things are the result of rejecting God and God punishing them with a debased mind.
The sin nature of all humans (except our Lord Jesus) is very great and very evil. See Jeremiah 17:9, Isaiah 64:6, and John 3:19.
V32 …who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
The Greek word for knowing (G1921) ἐπιγινώσκω epiginṓskō means (Thayer): “to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly; to know accurately, know well.”
People know about God’s judgment but become stubborn, reject, hate, fight, destroy, increase wicked thoughts and actions, etc.
They do not repent. See Revelation 9:20-21 and Revelation 16:9-11.
They increase their sins and encourage others to sin.
All sin carries the death penalty (Romans 6:23).
V2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
People have a tendency to judge others based on their own standard of right and wrong. We may condemn another for a certain sin even while doing the same sin.
The Scriptures are God’s standard, which is the only standard, and the one all are judged by.
Jesus reminds us that the standard we use will be also used against us (Matthew 7:1-6).
We learn:
- Sin is progressive.
- Sin is rejection of God and His ways.
- About sin’s effects.
Questions:
- Do you find this attitude in society?
- Before you believed in Jesus, were you this way?