Rom 1:24-25 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 24. Wherefore . That is, because they were unwilling to retain him in their knowledge, and chose to worship idols. Here is traced the practical tendency of heathenism; not as an innocent and harmless system, but as resulting in the most gross and shameless acts of depravity. God also gave them up . He abandoned them, or he ceased to restrain them, and suffered them to act out their sentiments, and to manifest them in their life. This does not imply that he exerted any positive influence in inducing them to sin, any more than it would if we should seek, by argument and entreaty, to restrain a headstrong youth, and when neither would prevail, should leave him to act out his propensities, and to go as he chose to ruin. It is implied in this, (1.) that the tendency of man was to these sins; (2) that the tendency of idolatry was to promote them; and (3) that all that was needful, in order that men should commit them, was for God to leave him to follow the devices and desires of his own heart. Comp. . To uncleanness . To impurity, or moral defilement; particularly to those impurities which he proceeds to specify, , etc. Through the lusts of their own hearts . Or, in consequence of their own evil and depraved passions and desires. He left them to act out, or manifest, their depraved affections and inclinations. To dishonour . To disgrace, . Between themselves . Among themselves; or mutually. They did it by unlawful and impure connexions with one another. (e) "gave them up"

Romans 1:24-25

Verse 24. Wherefore. That is, because they were unwilling to retain him in their knowledge, and chose to worship idols. Here is traced the practical tendency of heathenism; not as an innocent and harmless system, but as resulting in the most gross and shameless acts of depravity.

God also gave them up. He abandoned them, or he ceased to restrain them, and suffered them to act out their sentiments, and to manifest them in their life. This does not imply that he exerted any positive influence in inducing them to sin, any more than it would if we should seek, by argument and entreaty, to restrain a headstrong youth, and when neither would prevail, should leave him to act out his propensities, and to go as he chose to ruin. It is implied in this,

(1.) that the tendency of man was to these sins;

(2) that the tendency of idolatry was to promote them; and

(3) that all that was needful, in order that men should commit them, was for God to leave him to follow the devices and desires of his own heart. Comp. Ps 81:12, 2Thes 2:10,12.

To uncleanness. To impurity, or moral defilement; particularly to those impurities which he proceeds to specify, Rom 1:26, etc.

Through the lusts of their own hearts. Or, in consequence of their own evil and depraved passions and desires. He left them to act out, or manifest, their depraved affections and inclinations.

To dishonour. To disgrace, Rom 1:26,27.

Between themselves. Among themselves; or mutually. They did it by unlawful and impure connexions with one another.

(e) "gave them up" Ps 81:12, 2Thes 2:11 Verse 25. Who changed the truth of God. This is a repetition of the declaration in Rom 1:23, in another form. The phrase, "the truth of God," is a Hebrew phrase, meaning the true God. In such a ease, where two nouns come together, one is employed as an adjective to qualify the other. Most commonly the latter of two nouns is used as the adjective, but sometimes it is the former, as in this case. God is called the true God in opposition to idols, which are called false gods. There is but one real or true God, and all others are false.

Into a lie. Into idols, or false gods. Idols are not un frequently called falsehood and lies, because they are not true representations of God, Jer 13:25, Isa 28:15, Jer 10:14, Ps 40:4.

The creature. Created things, as the sun, moon, animals, etc.

Who is blessed for ever. It was not uncommon to add a doxology, or ascription of praise to God, when his name was mentioned. See Rom 9:5, 2Cor 11:31, Gal 1:6. The Jews also usually did it. In this way they preserved veneration for the name of God, and accustomed themselves to speak of him with reverence.

"The Mohammedans also borrowed this custom from the Jews,

and practise it to a great extent. Tholuk mentions an

Arabic manuscript, in the library at Berlin, which

contains an account of heresies in respect to Islamism,

and as often as the writer has occasion to mention the

name of a new heretical sect, he adds, 'God be exalted

above all which they say.'" Stuart.

Amen. This is a Hebrew word denoting strong affirmation. So let it be. It implies here the solemn assent of the writer to what was just said; or his strong wish that what he had said might be--that the name of God might be esteemed and be blessed for ever. The mention of the degrading idolatry of the heathens was strongly calculated to impress on his mind the superior excellency and glory of the one living God. It is mentioned respecting the honourable Robert Boyle, that he never mentioned the name of God without a solemn pause, denoting his profound reverence. Such a practice would tend eminently to prevent an unholy familiarity and irreverence in regard to the sacred name of the Most High. Comp. Ex 20:7.

(f) "truth of God into a lie" Amos 2:4. (1) "more" or, "rather"