Rom 1:18-32 | NETfull | STEP | For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness,

Romans 1:18-32

The Condemnation of the Unrighteous

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people ^{▼▼ The genitive ἀνθρώπων could be taken as an attributed genitive, in which case the phase should be translated “against all ungodly and unrighteous people” (cf. “the truth of God” in v. 25 which is also probably an attributed genitive). C. E. B. Cranfield takes the section 1:18–32 to refer to all people (not just Gentiles), while 2:1–3:20 points out that the Jew is no exception (Romans [ICC], 1:104–6; 1:137–38).} who suppress the truth by their ^{▼▼ “Their” is implied in the Greek, but is supplied because of English style.} unrighteousness, ^{▼▼ Or “by means of unrighteousness.” Grk “in (by) unrighteousness.”} 19 because what can be known about God is plain to them, ^{▼▼ Grk “is manifest to/in them.”} because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people ^{▼▼ Grk “they”; the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts ^{▼▼ Grk “heart.”} were darkened. 22 Although they claimed ^{▼▼ The participle φάσκοντες (faskontes) is used concessively here.} to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings ^{▼▼ Grk “exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God in likeness of an image of corruptible man.” Here there is a wordplay on the Greek terms ἄφθαρτος (afthartos, “immortal, imperishable, incorruptible”) and φθαρτός (fthartos, “mortal, corruptible, subject to decay”).} or birds or four-footed animals ^{▼▼ Possibly an allusion to Ps 106:19–20.} or reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over ^{▼▼ Possibly an allusion to Ps 81:12.} in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor ^{▼▼ The genitive articular infinitive τοῦ ἀτιμάζεσθαι (tou atimazesqai, “to dishonor”) has been taken as (1) an infinitive of purpose; (2) an infinitive of result; or (3) an epexegetical (i.e., explanatory) infinitive, expanding the previous clause.} their bodies among themselves. ^{▼▼ Grk “among them.”} 25 They ^{▼▼ Grk “who.” The relative pronoun was converted to a personal pronoun and, because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.} exchanged the truth of God for a lie ^{▼▼ Grk “the lie.”} and worshiped and served the creation ^{▼▼ Or “creature, created things.”} rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, ^{▼▼ Grk “for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is contrary to nature.” The term χρῆσις (chrēsis) has the force of “sexual relations” here (L&N 23.65).} 27 and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women ^{▼▼ Grk “likewise so also the males abandoning the natural function of the female.”} and were inflamed in their passions ^{▼▼ Grk “burned with intense desire” (L&N 25.16).} for one another. Men ^{▼▼ Grk “another, men committing…and receiving,” continuing the description of their deeds. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.} committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, ^{▼▼ Grk “and just as they did not approve to have God in knowledge.”} God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. ^{▼▼ Grk “the things that are improper.”} 29 They are filled ^{▼▼ Grk “being filled” or “having been filled,” referring to those described in v. 28. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.} with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with ^{▼▼ Grk “malice, full of,” continuing the description. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.} envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 senseless, covenant-breakers, ^{▼▼ Or “promise-breakers.”} heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they fully know ^{▼▼ Grk “who, knowing…, not only do them but also approve…” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.} God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, ^{▼▼ Grk “are worthy of death.”} they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them. ^{▼▼ “Vice lists” like vv. 28–32 can be found elsewhere in the NT in Matt 15:19; Gal 5:19–21; 1 Tim 1:9–10; and 1 Pet 4:3. An example from the intertestamental period can be found in Wis 14:25–26.}