Romans 1:32
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just point out that people know they shouldn't do wrong things, but that they possess a deep understanding of God's "righteous decree"—His declared standard of justice—that such actions are worthy of death. What's truly chilling is that they don't just commit these acts but actively "give approval" to others doing them, showing a profound rejection of God's standard that goes beyond mere personal sin.
This verse concludes a sweeping indictment of Gentile immorality, describing a society abandoned to sinful practices despite their knowledge of God's righteous standards. The preceding verses detail the pervasive depravity that resulted from rejecting God, painting a grim picture of humanity's descent into vice. Here, Paul emphasizes that this isn't just about individual sin but a societal endorsement of wrongdoing, showing the complete breakdown of moral awareness.
How can people do wrong things when they know they deserve punishment? Paul lays bare a shocking truth about human nature when it's abandoned by God.
Paul points out a disturbing reality: the people he describes know God's righteous standard and understand that their actions warrant death. This isn't ignorance; it's rebellion.
Acknowledging God's Standard
Even without the full revelation of Scripture, people have an inner sense of right and wrong, a 'natural law' (as some scholars call it). They have a sense of God's 'righteous decree' – His just standard for how things should be and the consequences for falling short. They know, deep down, that certain actions are wrong and carry a severe penalty.
The Rebellion of the Will
Despite this knowledge, they don't just stumble into sin; they actively practice it. The Greek word used here implies habitual action, a lifestyle. This highlights that their sin isn't a momentary lapse but a chosen path, a deliberate turning away from what they know to be true and right.
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It gets worse. They don't just do wrong; they start to like it. What does this shift from personal sin to endorsing others' sin reveal about the human heart?
The passage climaxes with a chilling observation: these individuals don't stop at their own wrongdoing; they actively approve of and even delight in those who join them in sin.
The Social Spread of Sin
This approval signifies a deep corruption. It means that the moral compass is not just broken but inverted. Instead of shame or regret, there's celebration. Society itself becomes a place where sin isn't just tolerated but encouraged.
The 'Reprobate Mind'
This approval of others' sins is a key indicator of what Paul calls a 'reprobate mind' – a mind that has been rejected or proven to be worthless. It's a mind that can no longer discern good from evil, not because it lacks information, but because it has willfully turned away from God's truth and now finds pleasure in its own perversion.
Understand the original words
dikaiōma · Greek Noun
Refers to the objective, moral standard of God's character and requirements; it is the manifestation of His holiness applied to human conduct.
thanatos · Greek Noun/Verb
To exist in a state of moral or spiritual separation from God, ultimately resulting in eternal judgment as the consequence of sin.
syneudokeō · Greek Verb
To offer endorsement, validation, or support to others, thereby participating in their sin by encouraging their sinful lifestyle.
Paul's letter to the Romans was written into a world where pagan practices were deeply entrenched, and where the nascent Christian faith was beginning to face suspicion and persecution. This context highlights the radical nature of his message about God's wrath and the call to a new way of life grounded in Christ.
Early 1st century AD
Dominance of Greco-Roman Paganism
The Roman Empire was characterized by a complex religious landscape, with various pagan deities and cults. While polytheistic, there was a pervasive awareness of moral principles, often reflected in philosophical schools, though not always tied to a personal God.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Christ's Ministry and Crucifixion
The foundational events of Christianity occurred during this period in Judea, under Roman rule. The teachings of Jesus and his crucifixion and resurrection marked a radical departure from pagan and Jewish norms.
c. AD 40s-60s— this verse
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, establishing Christian communities and spreading the gospel. His ministry brought him into direct contact with the prevailing pagan cultures and their moral standards.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome and Persecution
Under Emperor Nero, a severe persecution of Christians began in Rome, fueled by accusations that they had caused the fire. This event marked a significant escalation of Roman hostility towards the nascent Christian movement.
This passage directly follows Romans 1 and rebukes those who judge others for the very same practices they themselves commit, highlighting the hypocrisy and the 'knowing' aspect mentioned in 1:32.
Genesis 6:5-7This passage describes the deep corruption of humanity before the flood, showing that humanity's descent into sin and God's judgment on it is a recurring theme throughout Scripture.
Psalm 14:1-3This psalm describes a similar state of pervasive ungodliness and corruption, where 'all have turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one,' mirroring the universal nature of sin described in Romans 1.
Proverbs 14:9This proverb states that 'Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright deal with it sincerely,' which speaks to the different responses to sin and its consequences—one group mocks or disregards, while another acknowledges and seeks reconciliation, contrasting with the attitude in Romans 1:32.
Jeremiah 8:12This verse speaks of people being ashamed of abominations, but here it's the opposite: 'They were not at all ashamed; they did not even know how to blush.' This highlights the loss of moral sensitivity described in Romans 1.
meyerRomans 1:32: "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
Romans 1:32 . Οἵτινες ] quippe qui, of such a character, that they , cannot be the specification of a reason, as in Romans 1:25 , and cannot consequently be intended to repeat once more the laying of the blame on themselves, since Romans 1:32 merely continues the description of the wickedness. It rather serves to introduce the awfu…
henryRomans 1:26-32: "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:"
1:26-32 In the horrid depravity of the heathen, the truth of our Lord's words was shown: Light was come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil; for he that doeth evil hateth the light. The truth was not to their taste. And we all know how soon a man will contrive, against the strongest evidence…
The verse doesn't just point out that people know they shouldn't do wrong things, but that they possess a deep understanding of God's "righteous decree"—His declared standard of justice—that such actions are worthy of death. What's truly chilling is that they don't just commit these acts but actively "give approval" to others doing them, showing a profound rejection of God's standard that goes beyond mere personal sin.
This verse concludes a sweeping indictment of Gentile immorality, describing a society abandoned to sinful practices despite their knowledge of God's righteous standards. The preceding verses detail the pervasive depravity that resulted from rejecting God, painting a grim picture of humanity's descent into vice. Here, Paul emphasizes that this isn't just about individual sin but a societal endorsement of wrongdoing, showing the complete breakdown of moral awareness.
This verse concludes a sweeping indictment of Gentile immorality, describing a society abandoned to sinful practices despite their knowledge of God's righteous standards. The preceding verses detail the pervasive depravity that resulted from rejecting God, painting a grim picture of humanity's descent into vice. Here, Paul emphasizes that this isn't just about individual sin but a societal endorsement of wrongdoing, showing the complete breakdown of moral awareness.
"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." — The verse doesn't just point out that people know they shouldn't do wrong things, but that they possess a deep understanding of God's "righteous decree"—His declared standard of justice—that such a…
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