1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
1:19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them,
for God revealed it to them.
1:20 For the invisible things of him since the creation
of the world are clearly seen,
being perceived through the things that are made,
even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without
excuse.
1:21 Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God,
neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning,
and their senseless heart was darkened.
1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
1:23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God
for the likeness of an image of corruptible man,
and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
Results of Gentile's Guilt
1:24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to
uncleanness,
that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
1:25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie,
and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who
is blessed forever. Amen.
1:26 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions.
For their women changed the natural function into that which is
against nature.
1:27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the
woman,
burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is
inappropriate with men,
and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
1:28 Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge,
God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are
not fitting;
1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual
immorality, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits,
secret slanderers,
1:30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
1:31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural
affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
1:32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice
such things
are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of
those who practice them.
Discussion Questions
How do you know God exists?
If God is invisible, then how can He be seen?
Will people be held accountable for such knowledge?
As a result of rejecting the knowledge of God, in what ways do
people become corrupt?
How does the corruption of our mind affect our behavior?
How might the rejection of God lead to homosexuality?
What are example of exchanging the truth of God for a lie?
Why might people think that it just isn't worthwhile to retain the
knowledge of God?
Comments
Wrath Revealed, Truth Suppressed
Rom 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed
from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who
suppress the truth by their wickedness
It seems that there are two channels through which God's wrath is
being revealed. One is the Word of God. The wrath of God is part of
the gospel message, else "salvation" has no context. "Whoever believes in the Son has
eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for
God’s wrath remains on him."John 3:36 and "Since
we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be
saved from God’s wrath through him!" Rom 5:9 The other channel is
through the nature of things of which he'll talk about shortly.
"Godlessness" means to
disregard God in one's life. Naturally this would include atheists,
but even those who allege a belief in God may fall into this
category if they disregard God in making decisisons or otherwise
treating God with disrespect.
"wickedness" is more
accurately "unrighteousness", which is simply to not do the right
thing.
Such people characteristically suppress the truth. They don't want
to hear it for themselves, nor do they want the truth to be a matter
of public discourse. "by their wickedness" is more accurately "in
unrighteousness", which is simply to say that suppressing the truth
is not the right thing to do.
An example would be 1Thess 2:14-16 For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s
churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from
your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from
the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also
drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men in
their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they
may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the
limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
God's Existence Intuitively Obvious
Rom 1:19,20 since what may be known about God
is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since
the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— his eternal
power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood
from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
How can what is invisible be clearly seen? That is, God existence,
and a number his attributes, are intuitively obviously from nature
itself. You see? Consider, for example, is that people by nature
behave as if God exists:
Now some people say, "God doesn't
exist."
I don't know how such rumors persist.
They say, "We're only a product of chance."
I wouldn't be quick to take that stance
Cause if God is unreal we're nothing but dust
no basis for saying what's just and unjust
no basis for meaning and purpose in life
no basis for love, no basis for strife
The existence of God is really a must
cause people don't really act like dust
Secondly consider the order and design in nature. When a
farmer plants a seed why does he expect a certain kind of plant to
result? Because he knows intuitively that the seed contains some
kind of plan in to create a certain type of plant. Today we know
even something more amazing about this process. Today we know that
there is actually information in the seed coded into a language
form, DNA code which contains such a plan. But language in coded
form implies intelligence, an Author.
More generally is the scientific assumption is that nature is
governed by laws. Why that assumption? Why should there be laws
governing nature? Law imply a Law-giver.
Because people know that God exists, that we are designed for a
purpose, and that failing such we are subject to judgement,
therefore there is no excuse. Though many may attempt to excuse
themselves on the judgement day, they have no legitimate excuse.
Claims of ignorance is no excuse, for what they may claim they
didn't know, they should have known. And besides, people don't even
live up to their own standards, let alone God's. Claims of inability
is no excuse, for "No
temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that
you can stand up under it." 1Cor 10:13
Unthankfulness Corrupts the Mind and Heart
Rom 1:21For although they knew God, they
neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their
thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
This verse reveals the origin of the mental and moral corruption of
society. It all starts with people not acknowledging God. We are
wired in such a way that if we don't give God the
acknowledgement or the credit due Him, decay sets in like a cancer.
"So I tell you this, and insist
on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles
do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their
understanding and separated from the life of God because of the
ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to
sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a
continual lust for more."
Eph 4:17-19 This idea will be elaborated upon in the rest
of this chapter. But the basic origin of such corruption is the fact
that people don't acknowledge God.
But more than just acknowledgement, we are to thank God. For though
many make requests of God, not as many will thank God when they
receive what they requested, let alone when people neglect to thank
God for providing one's needs despite no request being given. Take
time now to thank God for what you may have neglected to thank Him
for. "Consider this, you who
forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: He
who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God."Ps 50:22,23
The Wise become Fools
Rom 1:22,23 Although they claimed to be wise,
they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for
images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and
reptiles.
"The fool says in his heart,
'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there
is no one who does good."
Ps 14:1 By not acknowledging God, or replacing God with an
idol results in a corruption of one's thinking such that one becomes
foolish. Yet such a person will reckon themselves wise. "The way of a fool seems right to
him, but a wise man listens to advice." Pr 12:15 That is, such a person
makes their own opinion, their own feelings, the standard of truth.
"A fool has no delight in
understanding, But in expressing his own heart." Pr 18:2 For to reject God is to
reject his Word and replace Him with that which is foolish be it
oneself or an idol.
Concerning idols Isaiah notes, "Half
of
the
wood
he
burns
in
the
fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats
his fill. He also warms himself and says, 'Ah! I am warm; I see
the fire.' From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to
it and worships. He prays to it and says, 'Save me; you are my
god.' They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are
plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they
cannot understand."Is
44:16-18 and goes on to say, "He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save
himself, or say, 'Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?'"Is 44:20
Sexual Immorality Characterizes a Corrupt Heart
Rom 1:24,25Therefore God gave them over in the
sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the
degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the
truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things
rather than the Creator— who is forever praised. Amen.
This phrase "gave them over"
is going to be repeated in this chapter. What it implies is that God
is restraining people to a degree. Restraining their sinful desires
from fully controlling their behavior. Addictions, be they sexual or
otherwise, are largely the result of not acknowledging God as God.
Consequently one's sensual desires become the controlling factor in
one's life, one's decisions and one's goal in life - to seek after
that which fulfills one's sensual nature. More literally it says, "God also gave them up to
uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts" Rejecting the
acknowledgement of God does not result in a clean, healthy
lifestyle, but rather that which is depraved, dirty, corrupt. Such
is the condition of the unsaved. Paul writes of the Ephesians of the
unsaved condition, "among whom
also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by
nature children of wrath, just as the others." Eph 2:3 And also to Titus he
writes, "At one time we too
were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of
passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated
and hating one another." Titus
3:3
The mind and the heart go together. When people given themselves
over to the desires of their heart, they will also find reason for
doing so, to justify themselves, exchanging the truth for a lie.
Jesus said, "anyone who looks
at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in
his heart."Mt 5:28
They exchange that truth for a lie. Jesus said, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another
woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman
commits adultery."Luke
16:18 They exchange that truth for a lie. Let alone, "Do not lie with a man as one lies
with a woman; that is detestable."Lev 18:22 And "A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man
wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who
does this." Deut 22:5
These and many more truths have largely been exchanged for lies,
particularly in post-modernistic Western society.
And consider who or what the ungodly serve. They may serve
themselves, a creature rather than the Creator. They may serve
another person - a creature rather than the Creator. Or they may
serve something, money, some material thing, like their car, their
house, their toys - all creations rather than the Creator. What do
you serve?
Homosexuality, a Depraved Behavior
Rom 1:26,27 Because of this, God gave them over
to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations
for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural
relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.
Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in
themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Homosexuality is a product of a depraved mind and a depraved heart
which are likewise a product of not glorifying God as God nor giving
thanks to Him. And if you talk with homosexuals it seems they really
are depraved in their thinking in their considering their behavior
and feelings so natural to them as to define a third gender in
defiance of God's design. They furthermore defy God's design of
marriage in that sex was intended to be limited to marriage. "For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will
become one flesh"Mt 19:5 "Becoming
one flesh" is referring to sex in that it is also written, "Do you not know that he who
unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it
is said, "The two will become one flesh.""1Cor 6:16 Sex outside of
marriage, whether it be homosexuality, fornication, or adultery is
immoral. But in terms of degree, homosexuality reveals the depravity
of sexually immoral relationships.
But as I said, much as these are depraved, shameful and indecent
acts, the homosexual generally has such a seared conscience and
their mind so depraved as be desensitized to what is decent. There
are differences of opinion as to what it means by having received in
themselves the due penalty for their perversion. While some point
sexual diseases such as aids, it seems to me it's referring to this
perversion of the mind and feelings such they their conscience is
beyond a sense of decency. Though it is true that sin is naturally
unhealthy and thus sexual disease, like aids, is a natural byproduct
of such behavior.
In contrast to the political correctness which speaks of
homosexuality as a category like that of race, religion, ethnic
background or gender, the Bible speaks of homosexuality as simply
another category of wickedness. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the
kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."1Cor 6:9,10 (And just to
elaborate on this, the first word for "homosexual" in Greek is
"malakos" which refers to the effeminate. The NASB translates this
word "effeminate". It's also used for the word "soft" as in Mt
11:8 "A man clothed in "soft" garments"
These homosexuals are "girly men". It's the stereotypical
homosexual. It's the reason why they are referred to as "gay". The
other word translated sodomite in the NKJV is an"abuser of one's
self with mankind", as the KJV translates it. The NASB simply
translates it "homosexual". "If a man
lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination." Lev 20:13 The phrasing
used in Lev 20:13 in the LXX - the Greek translation of the Old
Testament used in Jesus' day - exactly mirrors the word Paul uses
here. The LXX uses the phrase "αρσενος κοιτην". Paul uses
"αρσενοκοιται", which as you can see just joins the two words
together. Therefore he's referencing that same behavior which the
Law of Moses speaks of, namely men having sex with men. )
The fate of the sexually immoral is also reflected upon in Jude 1:7"In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the
surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and
perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the
punishment of eternal fire."
Retain the Knowledge of God
Rom 1:28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the
knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind,
to do what ought not to be done.
Is it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God. You bet it is! But
"In his pride the wicked does
not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Ps 10:4 If you don't make
room for God in your thoughts, the effect is that your mind is going
to become depraved. But it takes humility to leave room for God.
Furthermore when ask about God, the proud may acknowledge a belief
in God without actual knowledge of God, but rather simply define God
in their own mind, which is idolatry. You may ask them what one has
to do to go to heaven. And they just simply make something up. The
humble allow God to define himself. How can a person have a right
relationship with God? God is the one who determines that. So the
knowledge of God is necessary to answer such a question.
As for finding it, the Lord says, "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands
within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart
to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for
understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it
as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the
LORD and find the knowledge of God."Pr 2:1-5
The Bible is central to avoid a depraved mind as it contains the
knowledge of God. Thus it is written that, "Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so
also these men oppose the truth— men of depraved minds, who, as
far as the faith is concerned, are rejected."2Tim
3:8 The opposition to Moses was a rejection of the Word of
God as Moses was God's spokeman at the time. Likewise for those who
reject the teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Vices: Part 1
Rom 1:29abeing filled with all
unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness;
Characteristic of a number of his letters, Paul will now go into a
list of categories of wickedness, which though long is not
comprehensive. In fact Paul mentions reiterates a number of these
terms in the list he gives in 2Tim
3:2-5
Unrighteousness is simply
to not have the attitude to do the right thing. For example suppose
you hit a parked car and no one else sees you. Do you think, "what's the right thing to do now?" Or do you think, "what can I get away with?" If
the
latter characterizes you, then you're a wicked person.
"Sexual immorality" is
literally "porneia" in the Greek from which we get pornography.
Sexual immorality has many forms, but all go back to a common root
of allowing oneself to be sexually immoral as opposed to restraining
one's sexual desire to that which God designed it for, which is
namely marriage.
There's pornagraphy. "Anyone
who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with
her in his heart."Mt
5:28
There's fornication and adultery. "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but
fornicators and adulterers God will judge."Heb 13:4, which includes
remarriage after divorce, "Anyone
who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery
against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another
man, she commits adultery." Mk 10:11,12 And he previously spoke of
homosexuality. These are the most common forms of sexual immorality.
"Covetousness" is a greedy
desire to have more, especially that which belongs to others. "You shall not covet your
neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his
manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that
belongs to your neighbor."Ex 20:17 Realize there's only a subtle difference
between wanting the kind of thing your neighbor has and wanting what
belongs to your neighbor. And likewise the difference between
wanting that which you don't really need, and a greedy desire to
have more is a matter of degree. Elsewhere Paul associates
covetousness with idolatry.
Col
3:5 "Therefore put
to death your members which are on the earth: fornication,
uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,
which is idolatry."
Eph 5:5 "For this you know, that no fornicator,
unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
So coveteousness is
not limited to desiring other people's stuff, but rather is more
generally desiring stuff in an idolatrous fashion.
"Maliciousness" is a vicious disposition,
evil intent. But realize it may reveal itself in subtle ways. In Acts 8:22 the same Greek word is
used by Peter to describe the attitude of a man who wanted to pay
him for the ability to dispense the Holy Spirit upon people. In
contrast to unrighteouesness,
which is the intent to not do the right thing, maliciousness is the intent to
do harm, to do evil.
Vices: Part 2
Rom 1:29bFull of envy, murder, strife,
deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
While covetous is the obsession with things, the object of envy is that which another
has whether material thing or not. For example Jesus was handed over
to be crucified because of the envy of the chief priests. "the chief priests had handed Him
over because of envy" Mark
15:10 They envied his popularity. Envy is something we've
all experienced from time to time. "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice
and envy, hateful and hating one another." Titus 3:3 But now "lay aside all malice, all deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking"1Pet
2:1
"Murder" speaks for
itself - unjustly killing another person be it by abortion or
otherwise. I say "unjustly" because the Bible does make a
distinction between capital punishment and murder as it also does
with unintentional manslaughter. In fact it advocates capital
punishment in the case of murder. "Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death
on the testimony of witnesses" Num 35:30 And while this was reserved for physical
murder, hatred is a form of murder - unjustly wishing someone's
death. "Anyone who hates his
brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal
life in him."1John 3:15
Murderers are one of the many categories of people who don't have
eternal life.
"Strife" is contention
for contention's sake. Christians are exhorted to contend. But not
for the sake of contenting but to contend for the faith. "I found it necessary to write to
you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was
once for all delivered to the saints." Jude 1:3b Thus for example we
find Paul characteristically contending against false teaches and
sinful practices within the Christian community. But he also says, "Warn them before God against
quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those
who listen." 2Tim 2:14
and "If anyone teaches false
doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord
Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and
understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies
and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious
talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt
mind ..." 1Tim 6:3-5a
Therefore "don’t have anything
to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they
produce quarrels."2Tim
2:23 even though labeling someone's argument as "stupid"
may itself produce a quarrel.
"Deceit" is something
Christians are regularly warned to be alert to. "Let no one deceive you by any means"2Th 2:3 "Let no one deceive you with empty words" Eph 5:6a"These things I have written to you concerning
those who try to deceive you."1John 2:26 and certainly Christians should not try
to deceive others, but rather should be honest. Beware for there "are false apostles, deceitful
workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for
Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."2Cor 11:13,14
"Evil-mindedness" is a
sort of malicious craftiness. It's the intentional planning out of
malicious acts. It's organizing crime and evil acts. Pr 12:20"There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot
evil, but joy for those who promote peace."Pr 14:22"Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those
who plan what is good find love and faithfulness."
"Whisperers" is a word
only used here in the New Testament, though its a form of gossip,
which is used more generally. But in particular this means to
secretly slander someone. That is, to misrepresent a person behind
their back.
Vices: Part 3
Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God,
violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents,
"Backbiter" are
defamers, evil speakers. As opposed to whisperers, these may do so
on any forum. The basic premise is a disrespect for one's opponent,
a disregard for human dignity.
"haters of God" these
are exceptionally impious towards God. They detest God.
"Violent" In particular
this word is "hubristes" is Greek, from which we get the English
word "Hubris" meaning arrogance. The Greek lexicon has "hubristes"
as one who, uplifted with pride,
either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some
shameful act of wrong and finds pleasure in such acts. Ps 11:5"The LORD tests the righteous, But
the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates"
It's found a few places in the LXX where it's often translated
"pride". Job 40:11b "Look on everyone who is proud, and humble
him."Pr 15:25 "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow."
"Proud" (huperephanos)
is distinction from "hubristes" in that it refers to "showing one’s self above others".
Sort of Jesus' criticism of the religious elite of his day in
Matthew 23. The Lexicon elaborates that "huperephanos describes one who thinks too highly of
himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not
referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is
implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation
when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with
others." It's also the word used in the catch phrase "God resists the proud, But gives
grace to the humble."(Pr 3:34)
"Boasters" The lexicon
describes as, "one who tells
great things concerning his own prowess and achievements, with the
implied idea that many of his claims are false. This word
naturally describes a trait which manifests itself in contact with
one’s fellow men, not one which exists simply within the heart." Paul
says, "God forbid that I should
boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" Gal 6:14 Avoid boasting about
yourself, for inevitably the human (sinful) nature will cause one to
make too much of oneself.
"Inventors of evil things" is
the product of "evil-mindedness".
These contrive of new ways to do evil or investors of things which
are used for the purpose of evil.
"Disobedient to parents"
falls under the general category of disregarding legitimate human
authority. But respect for parents is something God particularly
takes seriously. In fact under the Law of Moses it says, "Anyone who curses his father or
mother must be put to death." Ex 21:17 And
"If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his
father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline
him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to
the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders,
'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us.
He is a profligate and a drunkard.' Then all the men of his town
shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you.
All Israel will hear of it and be afraid."Deut 21:18-21 So "Children, obey your parents in
the Lord, for this is right." Eph 6:1
Vices: Part 4
Rom 1:31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving,
unforgiving, unmerciful;
"Undiscerning", which is
to say "foolish" or "stupid" as the lexicon
indicates. This word was used a few verses ago where Paul says, "their foolish hearts were
darkened."Rom 1:21c But
Jesus even used to with regards to his disciples at times, like when
Peter has him to describe the meaning of a parable Jesus responded, "Are you also still without understanding?"Mt 15:16 More generally, "the natural man does not receive
the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him;
nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1Cor 2:14
"Untrustworthy" here is
literally "to break an agreement"
For example the breaking of the marriage vow would be an
example of this. Likewise when one borrows money but refuses to pay
it back."The wicked borrows and does not
repay" Ps 37:21a
"Unloving" is "without natural affection". A
natural affection would be, for example, the parent's affection for
their children. Such is the case even in the animal kingdom. Yet
there are those without this natural affection due to the hardness
of their hearts which is a result of their not glorifying God as God
nor giving thanks to Him.
"Unforgiving" is implacable - impossible to
appease - one who refuses to agree
to any terms or suggestions of peace. It implies a state of war,
and a refusal of covenant or even of armistice to end it
permanently or temporarily. In contrast the Christian is
commanded to seek reconciliation in our relationships, be they with
man or God. "God was in
Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their
trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of
reconciliation."2Cor
5:19
"Unmerciful" means what
it says. It's a person who doesn't exercise mercy. In contrast the
Bible says, "Blessed are the
merciful, For they shall obtain mercy."Mt
5:7 and of Jesus, "He
had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and
faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make
propitiation for the sins of the people."Heb 2:17
Condoning Wickedness
Rom 1:32who,
knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice
such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also
approve of those who practice them.
"Knowing" here is epignosis - "to know about" something. That is,
they've heard of God's righteousness judgment on such things, which
is not to say they agree with such judgement. For these approve of
that which should be punishable by death. Though which things are
approved may be dependent on culture. Western culture largely
approves of things like sexual immorality and covetousness - the
self-centered, pleasure seeking type of sins, while the Muslim
community approves largely of the violent atrocities committed in
the name of their god Allah, along with things like lying and
deceit. Wherever you go you will find whole cultures which approve
of things of which should be punishable by death.
Now while on a case by case basis one may not commit a particular
act of evil, yet by approving those who practice them, they condone
the action and so are guilty. An example would be 911 where that
very day Muslims all over the world praised that act of Islam
terrorism. And there are those who themselves are not homosexuals,
but approve of those who do practice homosexuality, and not only so,
but demand that everyone else approve of such things. And there are
those who didn't get an abortion, but approve of those who do. And
so forth.
Consider whether you approve of those who practice what the Bible
calls sin.