(1:20) "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; that they are without excuse." Those who fail to see
evidence of God's existence are "without excuse." Can God be found from reason alone?
(1:21-22) "Their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Is it OK to call someone a fool?
(1:24) "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness."
(1:25) "Served the creature more than the Creator"
The Religious Right often uses Romans 1:21-25 to condemn environmentalists. [more]
(1:26) "God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature."
(1:27) "Also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another."
(1:27) "The natural use of the woman"
Paul explains that "the natural use"
of women is to act as sexual objects for the pleasure of men.
(1:28) "God gave them over to a reprobate mind."
(1:29-31) I'm not sure who Paul is talking about here, but they're all a bunch of proud,
wicked, malicious, deceitful murderers, backbiters, and God-haters.
(1:29) "Filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness;
full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,"
(1:30) "Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,"
(1:31) "Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful."
(1:32) "They which commit such things are worthy of death."
Homosexuals (those "without natural affection") and their
supporters (those "that have pleasure in them") are "worthy of death."
1:10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous
journey by the will of God to come unto you.
1:11
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to
the end ye may be established;
1:12
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith
both of you and me.
1:13
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.
1:14
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise,
and to the unwise.
1:15
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are
at Rome also.
1:16
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.
1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as
it is written, The just shall live by faith.
1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath
shewed it unto them.
1:20
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; that they are without excuse:
1:21
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.
1:22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
1:23
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.
1:24Wherefore God also gave
them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to
dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
1:25
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.
1:26
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:
1:27
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.
1:28
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;
1:29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,
malignity; whisperers,
1:30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil
things, disobedient to parents,
1:31
Without understanding, covenantbreakers,without
natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
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.