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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a chilling balance: because people didn't approve of keeping God in their minds, God gave them a mind that disapproves of what is right. This isn't just about forgetting God, but actively rejecting His rightful place, leading to a mind that is no longer capable of discerning or valuing what is good and proper.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is detailing the downward spiral of humanity apart from God, moving from suppressing the truth of God's existence to increasingly depraved actions. Having already described how people exchanged God's truth for a lie and indulged in unnatural desires, he now explains that this rejection leads to a corrupted mind, making them incapable of discerning right from wrong and prompting further sinful behavior. This sets the stage for a long list of vices that characterize those who have been given over by God.
Ever felt a subtle nudge to do something you know isn't right? This verse talks about a deeper, more profound 'not liking' – and its devastating consequences.
The phrase 'did not see fit to acknowledge God' (or 'did not like to retain God in their knowledge') is crucial. It's not about a lack of information. These people had enough natural revelation to know God existed, but they chose not to value that knowledge, not to let it shape them.
The idea of God 'giving someone up' can sound harsh. But what does this act of judicial abandonment truly mean for humanity?
The phrase 'God gave them up' is profound and sobering. It signifies God's righteous judgment when humanity persistently rejects Him.
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Understand the original words
adokimon · Greek Adjective
A state of being morally depraved or lacking the ability to make sound moral judgments, often resulting from persistent rejection of divine truth.
This passage describes God's reaction to the pervasive wickedness of humanity before the flood, showing a similar pattern of 'giving up' humanity due to their persistent evil inclinations, highlighting the profound depth of human depravity when God's presence is rejected.
Deuteronomy 29:4Here, God states that He has not given the people a 'mind to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear' to this very day. This connects to Romans 1 by illustrating a divine act of withholding understanding as a consequence of turning away from God's truth.
Psalm 81:12This verse reveals God saying, 'So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.' This is a clear parallel to Paul's teaching in Romans 1, showing God's justice in allowing people to reap the consequences of their rejection of Him by leaving them to their own willful desires.
2 Thessalonians 2:11Paul writes about God sending 'the powerful delusion' to those who do not love the truth. This passage echoes Romans 1:28 by describing a divine 'giving up' that leads to a deceived mind and a descent into further error and unrighteousness.
Proverbs 1:29-30This proverb states that because people hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would be left to eat the fruit of their own way. This illustrates the principle that rejecting God's wisdom leads to being abandoned to foolish choices, mirroring the consequence described in Romans 1.
ellicottRomans 1:28: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
(28) Even as. —Rightly translated in the Authorised version: “as” is not here equivalent to “because,” but means rather, just in like proportion as. The degree of God’s punishment corresponded exactly to the degree of man’s deflection from God. Did not like.—There is a play upon words here with “reprobate” in the clause following whi…
meyerRomans 1:28: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
Romans 1:28 . From the previous exclusive description of the sensual vice of the Gentiles, Paul now proceeds to a summary enumeration of yet other vices to which they had been given up by God in punishment of their apostasy. καθώς ] is not causal, but quemadmodum . The giving them up was something corresponding to their disdainful re…
The verse highlights a chilling balance: because people didn't approve of keeping God in their minds, God gave them a mind that disapproves of what is right. This isn't just about forgetting God, but actively rejecting His rightful place, leading to a mind that is no longer capable of discerning or valuing what is good and proper.
Paul is detailing the downward spiral of humanity apart from God, moving from suppressing the truth of God's existence to increasingly depraved actions. Having already described how people exchanged God's truth for a lie and indulged in unnatural desires, he now explains that this rejection leads to a corrupted mind, making them incapable of discerning right from wrong and prompting further sinful behavior. This sets the stage for a long list of vices that characterize those who have been given over by God.
Paul is detailing the downward spiral of humanity apart from God, moving from suppressing the truth of God's existence to increasingly depraved actions. Having already described how people exchanged God's truth for a lie and indulged in unnatural desires, he now explains that this rejection leads to a corrupted mind, making them incapable of discerning right from wrong and prompting further sinful behavior. This sets the stage for a long list of vices that characterize those who have been given over by God.
"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." — The verse highlights a chilling balance: because people didn't approve of keeping God in their minds, God gave them a mind that disapproves of what is right. This isn't just about forgetting God,…
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Last reviewed October 2026