Romans 1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

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:

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

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;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

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.

What does Romans 1:29 mean?

Explanation:

Romans 1:29 is part of the Apostle Paul’s description of the degenerative behavior of humanity due to its deliberate turning away from God.

The verse lists a series of vices that characterize a society which has exchanged the truth of God for lies and worshipped created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).

Paul piles on terms to illustrate the moral decay he attributes to the rejection of God – unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, and so on.

This depiction serves to underscore the severity and pervasiveness of sin.

The deeper meaning implies that such behaviors are symptoms of a fundamental issue: humanity's refusal to acknowledge and honor God.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context:

Romans was written around 57 A.D. to the Christian Church in Rome, which was a diverse community of Jews and Gentiles in a city at the heart of the Roman Empire.

The Roman society at the time was known for its cosmopolitanism but also for its decadence.

The prevailing pagan religious practices often involved sexual rites, and pursuit of personal wealth and power was esteemed.

Paul's message challenged both Jewish and Gentile believers to re-evaluate their conduct in light of the gospel and the righteousness of God.

Theological Insights:

From a theological perspective, this verse contributes to the doctrine of total depravity, suggesting that sin affects all aspects of a person’s being. It also emphasizes the reality of sin's consequences, both on individuals and on society at large.

Some theologians might argue that this describes the condition of humankind apart from the grace of God, thus highlighting the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.

Practical Applications:

This verse can inspire contemporary readers to reflect on their own moral state and society’s ethical standards.

It warns against complacency and conformity to a world that often values self-gratification and material wealth over spiritual wellbeing.

Individuals can examine areas in their life where they may have succumbed to the sins listed and seek to make amends through repentance, seeking forgiveness, and reorienting their values according to biblical standards.

Cross-References:

2 Timothy 3:2-4: "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;"
Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Language Study:

Some key words in the original Greek text and their meanings are:

Adikia (unrighteousness): injustice, moral wrongfulness
Porneia (fornication): sexual immorality of all kinds
Poneria (wickedness): depravity, iniquity, malice
Pleonexia (covetousness): greed, avarice
Kakia (maliciousness): malice, ill-will, desire to injure
Phthonos (envy): jealousy, spite
Phoneus (murder): the act of taking a life
Eris (debate): strife, contention, rivalry
Dolos (deceit): guile, deceitfulness
Kakoetheia (malignity): malice, malevolence
Psithuristes (whisperers): gossips, secret slanderers

Cultural and Religious Comparisons:

In comparing Romans 1:29 with other ancient texts and religions, one can see parallels in ethical teachings against similar vices.

For example, ancient Greco-Roman philosophies like Stoicism and Epicureanism dealt heavily with questions of morality, often emphasizing virtue over vice.

Certain virtues extolled in these philosophies stand in contrast to the vices Paul enumerates, showing a general human concern with ethical behavior, regardless of the religious framework.

Scientific Perspectives:

Modern psychology may give insights into behavior patterns described in Romans 1:29. For instance, it is understood that behaviors such as envy and deceit can stem from underlying psychological conditions or societal influences.

While scientific perspectives would not typically address the theological implications of sin, they can offer explanations for why certain behaviors manifest and propose therapeutic approaches for change.

Commentaries:

Different commentaries reflect upon Romans 1:29 in various ways:

Matthew Henry's Commentary: Describes this list of vices as indications of a mind that is corrupt and apostate, interpreting the text as a warning against straying from divine guidance.
John Calvin’s Commentary: Considers the verse as a depiction of the natural state of humankind when left to its own devices, highlighting the necessity of divine grace.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Emphasizes the universal nature of sin's corruption, suggesting these vices underline the breach between humanity and God that requires reconciliation through the gospel message.

Romans 1

Romans 1

What does Romans 1:29 mean?

Explanation:

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context:

Theological Insights:

Practical Applications:

Cross-References:

Language Study:

Cultural and Religious Comparisons:

Scientific Perspectives:

Commentaries:

Want more context?

What does Romans 1:29 mean?

Explanation:

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context:

Theological Insights:

Practical Applications:

Cross-References:

Language Study:

Cultural and Religious Comparisons:

Scientific Perspectives:

Commentaries:

Want more context?