The Meaning of Romans 1:26 Explained

Romans 1:26

KJV: 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:

YLT: Because of this did God give them up to dishonourable affections, for even their females did change the natural use into that against nature;

Darby: For this reason God gave them up to vile lusts; for both their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature;

ASV: For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does Romans 1:26 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 1:24-32 - From Gross Sins Of The Flesh
Few men knew as much as did Paul of the unutterableness of human need. In terrible words he enumerates its various aspects. Truth would enter human hearts from God's work in nature and from conscience, yet men pull down the blind and close the curtain. It is not that they do not know, but that they refuse to have God in their knowledge. They shun the thought of God, Psalms 10:4. They will not lift their happy faces toward Him with filial confidence. Thus a heavy darkness steals over them and veils His presence.
The next downward step is uncleanness; and when once men have deliberately chosen the downward path, there is nothing to stop them. They go headlong from one point to another in their descent into darkness. When our hearts turn from the purifying presence of God, they become the haunt of every foul bird and noisome reptile. What a marvel it is that out of such material God can even create saints! [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 1

1  Paul commends his calling to the Romans;
9  and his desire to come to them
16  What his gospel is
18  God is angry with sin
21  What were the sins of mankind

Greek Commentary for Romans 1:26

Unto vile passions [εις πατη ατιμιας]
Unto passions of dishonour. Πατος — Pathos old word from πασχω — paschō to experience, originally meant any feeling whether good or bad, but in N.T. always in bad sense as here, 1 Thessalonians 4:5; Colossians 3:5 (only N.T. examples). [source]
That which is against nature [την παρα πυσιν]
The degradation of sex is what Paul here notes as one of the results of heathenism (the loss of God in the life of man). They passed by the Creator. [source]
Vile affections [πάθη ἀτιμίας]
Lit., passions of dishonor. Rev., passions. As distinguished from ἐπιθυμίαι lustsin Romans 1:24, πάθη passionsis the narrower and intenser word. Ἐπιθυμία is the larger word, including the whole world of active lusts and desires, while the meaning of πάθος is passive, being the diseased condition out of which the lusts spring. Ἐπιθυμίαι areevil longings; πάθη ungovernableaffections. Thus it appears that the divine punishment was the more severe, in that they were given over to a condition, and not merely to an evil desire. The two words occur together, 1 Thessalonians 4:5. [source]
Women [θήλειαι]
Strictly, females. This, and ἄρσενες malesare used because only the distinction of sex is contemplated. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 1:26

Acts 14:16 Suffered [ειασεν]
Constative aorist active indicative of εαω — eaō (note syllabic augment). Paul here touches God in history as he did just before in creation. God‘s hand is on the history of all the nations (Gentile and Jew), only with the Gentiles he withdrew the restraints of his grace in large measure (Acts 17:30; Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28), judgment enough for their sins. To walk in their ways (πορευεσται ταις οδοις αυτων — poreuesthai tais hodois autōn). Present middle infinitive, to go on walking, with locative case without εν — en This philosophy of history does not mean that God was ignorant or unconcerned. He was biding his time in patience. [source]
Acts 7:42 Gave them up [παρεδωκεν]
First aorist active indicative of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi This same form occurs three times like clods on a coffin in a grave in Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28 where Paul speaks of God giving the heathen up to their lusts. [source]
Romans 7:5 The motions of sins [τὰ παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν]
Motions used in earlier English for emotions or impulses. Thus Bacon: “He that standeth at a stay where others rise, can hardly avoid motions of envy” (“Essay” xiv.). The word is nearly synonymous with πάθος passion(Romans 1:26, note). From πάθειν tosuffer; a feeling which the mind undergoes, a passion, desire. Rev., sinful passions: which led to sins. [source]
Romans 1:25 Who changed [οἵτινες μετήλλαξαν]
Rev., for that they exchanged. The double relative specifies the class to which they belonged, and thereby includes the reason for their punishment. He gave them up as being those who, etc. Μετήλλαξαν exchanged(so Rev.), is stronger than the simple verb in Romans 1:23. Godet renders travestied. Compare the same word in Romans 1:26. [source]
Romans 1:24 Wherefore [διο]
Paul‘s inexorable logic. See it also in Romans 1:26 with the same verb and in Romans 1:28 και — kai like “and so.” [source]
Romans 1:25 Exchanged [μετηλλαχαν]
First aorist active indicative of μεταλλασσω — metallassō old word for exchanging trade, only here and Romans 1:26 in N.T. What a bargain they made, “the truth of God for (εν — en) the (τωι — tōi) lie.” “The price of mythology” (Bengel). [source]
Romans 1:28 Unto a reprobate mind [εις αδοκιμον νουν]
Play on ουκ εδοκιμασαν — ouk edokimasan They rejected God and God rejected their mental attitude and gave them over (Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28). See this adjective already in 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7. Like an old abandoned building, the home of bats and snakes, left “to do those things which are not fitting” (ποιειν τα μη κατηκοντα — poiein ta mē kathēkonta), like the night clubs of modern cities, the dives and dens of the underworld, without God and in the darkness of unrestrained animal impulses. This was a technical term with Stoics (2 Maccabees 6:4). [source]
Romans 7:5 In the flesh [ἐν τῇ σαρκί]
Σάρξ fleshoccurs in the classics in the physical sense only. Homer commonly uses it in the plural as denoting all the flesh or muscles of the body. Later the singular occurs in the same sense. Paul's use of this and other psychological terms must be determined largely by the Old-Testament usage as it appears in the Septuagint. 1. In the physical sense. The literal flesh. In the Septuagint τὰ κρέα flesh(plural) is used where the reference is to the parts of animals slain, and αἱ σάρκες , flesh (plural) where the reference is to flesh as the covering of the living body. Hence Paul uses κρέα in Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 8:13, of the flesh of sacrificed animals. Compare also the adjective σάρκιμος fleshy 2 Corinthians 3:3; and Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26, Sept. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. Kindred. Denoting natural or physical relationship, Romans 1:3; Romans 9:3-8; Romans 11:14; Galatians 4:23, Galatians 4:29; 1 Corinthians 10:18; Philemon 1:16. This usage forms a transition to the following sense: the whole human body. Flesh is the medium in and through which the natural relationship of man manifests itself. Kindred is conceived as based on community of bodily substance. Therefore:-DIVIDER-
3. The body itself. The whole being designated by the part, as being its main substance and characteristic, 1 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Corinthians 7:28; 2 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 10:3; 2 Corinthians 12:7. Romans 2:28; Galatians 6:13, etc. Paul follows the Septuagint in sometimes using σῶμα bodyand sometimes σάρξ fleshin this sense, so that the terms occasionally seem to be practically synonymous. Thus 1 Corinthians 6:16, 1 Corinthians 6:17, where the phrase one body is illustrated and confirmed by one flesh. See Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:28, Ephesians 5:31, where the two are apparently interchanged. Compare 2 Corinthians 4:10, 2 Corinthians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 5:3, and Colossians 2:5. Σάρξ , however, differs from σῶμα in that it can only signify the organism of an earthly, living being consisting of flesh and bones, and cannot denote “either an earthly organism that is not living, or a living organism that is not earthly” (Wendt, in Dickson). Σῶμα not thus limited. Thus it may denote the organism of the plant (1 Corinthians 15:37, 1 Corinthians 15:38) or the celestial bodies (1 Corinthians 15:40). Hence the two conceptions are related as general and special: σῶμα bodybeing the material organism apart from any definite matter (not from any sort of matter), σάρξ , flesh, the definite, earthly, animal organism. The two are synonymons when σῶμα is used, from the context, of an earthly, animal body. Compare Philemon 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Σῶμα bodyand not σάρξ fleshis used when the reference is to a metaphorical organism, as the church, Romans 12:4sqq.; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:18, etc. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The σάρξ is described as mortal (2 Corinthians 4:11); subject to infirmity (Galatians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:7); locally limited (Colossians 2:15); an object of fostering care (Ephesians 5:29). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
4. Living beings generally, including their mental nature, and with a correlated notion of weakness and perishableness. Thus the phrase πᾶσα σάρξ allflesh (Genesis 6:12; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 49:23). This accessory notion of weakness stands in contrast with God. In Paul the phrase all flesh is cited from the Old Testament (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16) and is used independently (1 Corinthians 1:29). In all these instances before God is added. So in Galatians 1:16, flesh and blood implies a contrast of human with divine wisdom. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:50; Ephesians 6:12. This leads up to-DIVIDER-
5. Man “either as a creature in his natural state apart from Christ, or the creaturely side or aspect of the man in Christ.” Hence it is correlated with ἄνθρωπος man 1 Corinthians 3:3; Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17. Compare Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9; Galatians 5:24. Thus the flesh would seem to be interchangeable with the old man. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
It has affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24); willings (Ephesians 2:3; Romans 8:6, Romans 8:7); a mind (Colossians 2:18); a body (Colossians 2:11). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
It is in sharp contrast with πνεῦμα spirit(Galatians 3:3, Galatians 3:19; Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:17, Galatians 5:19-24; Galatians 6:8; Romans 8:4). The flesh and the spirit are thus antagonistic. Σάρξ fleshbefore or in contrast with his reception of the divine element whereby he becomes a new creature in Christ: the whole being of man as it exists and acts apart from the influence of the Spirit. It properly characterizes, therefore, not merely the lower forms of sensual gratification, but all - the highest developments of the life estranged from God, whether physical, intellectual, or aesthetic. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
It must be carefully noted:-DIVIDER-
1. That Paul does not identify flesh and sin. Compare, flesh of sin, Romans 8:3. See Romans 7:17, Romans 7:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 2:20. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. That Paul does not identify σάρξ withthe material body nor associate sin exclusively and predominantly with the body. The flesh is the flesh of the living man animated by the soul ( ψυχή ) as its principle of life, and is distinctly used as coordinate with ἄνθρωπος manAs in the Old Testament, “it embraces in an emphatic manner the nature of man, mental and corporeal, with its internal distinctions.” The spirit as well as the flesh is capable of defilement (2 Corinthians 7:1; compare 1 Corinthians 7:34). Christian life is to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2; compare Ephesians 4:23). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
3. That Paul does not identify the material side of man with evil. The flesh is not the native seat and source of sin. It is only its organ, and the seat of sin's manifestation. Matter is not essentially evil. The logical consequence of this would be that no service of God is possible while the material organism remains. See Romans 12:1. The flesh is not necessarily sinful in itself; but as it has existed from the time of the introduction of sin through Adam, it is recognized by Paul as tainted with sin. Jesus appeared in the flesh, and yet was sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21).The motions of sins ( τὰ παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν )Motions used in earlier English for emotions or impulses. Thus Bacon: “He that standeth at a stay where others rise, can hardly avoid motions of envy” (“Essay” xiv.). The word is nearly synonymous with πάθος passion(Romans 1:26, note). From πάθειν tosuffer; a feeling which the mind undergoes, a passion, desire. Rev., sinful passions: which led to sins.Did work ( ἐνηργεῖτο )Rev., wrought. See 2 Corinthians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 4:12; Ephesians 3:20; Galatians 5:6; Philemon 2:13; Colossians 1:29. Compare Mark 6:14, and see on power, John 1:12. [source]

Romans 4:25 Was delivered [παρεδόθη]
See on Matthew 4:12; see on 1 Peter 2:23. Used of casting into prison or delivering to justice, Matthew 4:12; Matthew 10:17, Matthew 19:21. Frequently of the betrayal of Christ, Matthew 10:4; Matthew 17:22; John 6:64, John 6:71. Of committing a trust, Matthew 25:14, Matthew 25:20, Matthew 25:22. Of committing tradition, doctrine, or precept, Mark 7:13; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 6:17; 2 Peter 2:21. Of Christ's yielding up His spirit, John 19:30. Of the surrender of Christ and His followers to death, Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 4:11; Galatians 2:20. Of giving over to evil, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28; 1 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 4:19. [source]
Romans 1:24 God gave them up [παρεδωκεν αυτους ο τεος]
First aorist active indicative of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi old and common verb to hand over (beside, παρα — para) to one‘s power as in Matthew 4:12. These people had already wilfully deserted God who merely left them to their own self-determination and self-destruction, part of the price of man‘s moral freedom. Paul refers to this stage and state of man in Acts 17:30 by “overlooked” The withdrawal of God‘s restraint sent men deeper down. Three times Paul uses παρεδωκεν — paredōken here (Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28), not three stages in the giving over, but a repetition of the same withdrawal. The words sound to us like clods on the coffin as God leaves men to work their own wicked will. That their bodies should be dishonoured (του ατιμαζεσται τα σωματα αυτων — tou atimazesthai ta sōmata autōn). Contemplated result expressed by του — tou (genitive article) and the passive infinitive ατιμαζεσται — atimazesthai (from ατιμος — atimos α — a privative and τιμος — timos dishonoured) with the accusative of general reference. Christians had a new sense of dignity for the body (1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 6:13). Heathenism left its stamp on the bodies of men and women. [source]
Romans 1:28 Knowledge [επιγνωσει]
Full knowledge They had a dim memory that was a caricature. Unto a reprobate mind (εις αδοκιμον νουν — eis adokimon noun). Play on ουκ εδοκιμασαν — ouk edokimasan They rejected God and God rejected their mental attitude and gave them over (Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28). See this adjective already in 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7. Like an old abandoned building, the home of bats and snakes, left “to do those things which are not fitting” (ποιειν τα μη κατηκοντα — poiein ta mē kathēkonta), like the night clubs of modern cities, the dives and dens of the underworld, without God and in the darkness of unrestrained animal impulses. This was a technical term with Stoics (2 Maccabees 6:4). [source]
Romans 2:1 Wherefore [διο]
See note on Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26 for this relative conjunction, “because of which thing.” [source]
Romans 9:18 He hardeneth [σκληρυνει]
Pharaoh hardened his own heart also (Exodus 8:15, Exodus 8:32; Exodus 9:34), but God gives men up also (Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28). This late word is used by the Greek physicians Galen and Hippocrates. See note on Acts 19:9. Only here in Paul. [source]
Galatians 5:24 Affections [παθήμασιν]
Better, passions. Often sufferings, as Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 1:5, 2 Corinthians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 1:7; Philemon 3:10; Hebrews 2:9. Often of Christ's sufferings. Comp. passions of sins, Romans 7:5(see on motions ). olxx, where we find πάθος in both senses, but mostly sufferings. Πάθος also in N.T., but rarely and PoSee Romans 1:26; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:5: always of evil desires. [source]
Colossians 3:5 Inordinate affection, evil concupiscence [πάθος, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν]
See on Romans 1:26. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this reason God sendeth them [και δια τουτο πεμπει αυτοις ο τεος]
Futuristic (prophetic) present of the time when the lawless one is revealed. Here is the definite judicial act of God (Milligan) who gives the wicked over to the evil which they have deliberately chosen (Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28). [source]
James 3:7 Kind [πυσις]
Old word from πυω — phuō order of nature (Romans 1:26), here of all animals and man, in 2 Peter 1:4 of God and redeemed men. [source]
2 Peter 2:4 Angels when they sinned [αγγελων αμαρτησαντων]
Genitive case after επεισατο — epheisato (first aorist middle indicative of πειδομαι — pheidomai) and anarthrous (so more emphatic, even angels), first aorist active participle of αμαρτανω — hamartanō “having sinned.”Cast them down to hell (ταρταρωσας — tartarōsas). First aorist active participle of ταρταροω — tartaroō late word (from ταρταρος — tartaros old word in Homer, Pindar, lxx Job 40:15; 41:23, Philo, inscriptions, the dark and doleful abode of the wicked dead like the Gehenna of the Jews), found here alone save in a scholion on Homer. Ταρταρος — Tartaros occurs in Enoch 20:2 as the place of punishment of the fallen angels, while Gehenna is for apostate Jews.Committed First aorist active indicative of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi the very form solemnly used by Paul in Romans 1:21, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28.To pits of darkness (σειροις ζοπου — seirois zophou). οπος — Zophos (kin to γνοποσ νεπος — gnophosσειραις — nephos) is an old word, blackness, gloom of the nether world in Homer, in N.T. only here, 2 Peter 2:17; Judges 1:13; Hebrews 12:18. The MSS. vary between σειρα — seirais (σειροις — seira chain or rope) and σειρος — seirois (Σειροις — seiros old word for pit, underground granary). εις κρισιν τηρουμενους — Seirois is right (Aleph A B C), dative case of destination.To be reserved unto judgment Present (linear action) passive participle of κολαζομενους τηρειν — tēreō “Kept for judgment.” Cf. 1 Peter 1:4. Aleph A have κρισις — kolazomenous tērein as in 2 Peter 2:9. Note krisis (act of judgment). [source]
2 Peter 2:4 Committed [παρεδωκεν]
First aorist active indicative of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi the very form solemnly used by Paul in Romans 1:21, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28.To pits of darkness (σειροις ζοπου — seirois zophou). οπος — Zophos (kin to γνοποσ νεπος — gnophosσειραις — nephos) is an old word, blackness, gloom of the nether world in Homer, in N.T. only here, 2 Peter 2:17; Judges 1:13; Hebrews 12:18. The MSS. vary between σειρα — seirais (σειροις — seira chain or rope) and σειρος — seirois (Σειροις — seiros old word for pit, underground granary). εις κρισιν τηρουμενους — Seirois is right (Aleph A B C), dative case of destination.To be reserved unto judgment Present (linear action) passive participle of κολαζομενους τηρειν — tēreō “Kept for judgment.” Cf. 1 Peter 1:4. Aleph A have κρισις — kolazomenous tērein as in 2 Peter 2:9. Note krisis (act of judgment). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 1:26 mean?

Because of this gave up them - God to passions of dishonor - Even for females of them changed the natural use into that contrary to nature
Διὰ τοῦτο παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς Θεὸς εἰς πάθη ἀτιμίας αἵ τε γὰρ θήλειαι αὐτῶν μετήλλαξαν τὴν φυσικὴν χρῆσιν εἰς τὴν παρὰ φύσιν

Διὰ  Because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τοῦτο  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
παρέδωκεν  gave  up 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: παραδίδωμι  
Sense: to give into the hands (of another).
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸς  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
πάθη  passions 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πάθος  
Sense: whatever befalls one, whether it be sad or joyous.
ἀτιμίας  of  dishonor 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀτιμία  
Sense: dishonour, ignominy, disgrace.
αἵ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τε  Even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: τέ  
Sense: not only … but also.
θήλειαι  females 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: θῆλυς  
Sense: of the female sex.
αὐτῶν  of  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
μετήλλαξαν  changed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: μεταλλάσσω  
Sense: to exchange, change.
φυσικὴν  natural 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φυσικός  
Sense: produced by nature, inborn.
χρῆσιν  use 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: χρῆσις  
Sense: use.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
τὴν  that 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
παρὰ  contrary  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: παρά  
Sense: from, of at, by, besides, near.
φύσιν  nature 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φύσις  
Sense: nature.