What does Romans Chapter 1 verses 26-32 mean?

Answer 1

Rom 1:21-32 KJV 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. (v.22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (v.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. (v.24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (v.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. (v.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: (v.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. (v.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; (v.29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (v.30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (v.31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (v.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.

Answer 2

In his various epistles, Paul seems to have constantly been concerned about false apostles, those who taught a different Christ, and about churches that failed to accept his notion of who Christ was.

Here, in Romans chapter 1, Paul spoke again of those who had heard the Christian message but glorified him not as God (verse 21), professing themselves to be wise, but they became fools. It seems that those of whom he spoke made an image of God, or perhaps of Christ, and worshipped it (verse 23).

As a Jew, the most insulting remark he could make was to call them lesbians and homosexuals, which he does in verses 26-27. In verses 29-31, Paul lets loose with a string of invectives against those who had not listened to him. In verse 32, he says that the things he accuses them of are worthy of death, yet they take pleasure in them. It does not matter whether these accusation were actually true: Paul was angry!