Devine Scripture

Romans 1:28

What does Romans 1:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 1:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 1:28 means

Since people did not see fit to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do what is not fitting. The refusal to acknowledge God results in a corrupted reasoning process—a moral and spiritual breakdown. God’s judgment corresponds to human choice: rejecting God leads to being unable to judge rightly. The mind, made to discern truth and good, becomes twisted, endorsing what is unfitting. This explains the breadth of sins that follow; they flow from a mind no longer anchored in the Creator. Divine handing over is both punishment and exposure of what the heart prefers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And even as they refused to have God intheirknowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And even as they refused to have God intheirknowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And because they had not the mind to keep God in their knowledge, God gave them up to an evil mind, to do those things which are not right;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And, according as they did not approve of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And as they liked not to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate sense, to do those things which are not convenient.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And according as they did not think good to haveGod in [their] knowledge,God gave them up to a reprobate mind to practise unseemly things;

Context

After describing specific sexual disorders (vv.26–27), verse 28 returns to the root: not approving to have God in knowledge. The result is a debased mind and unfitting behaviors. Verses 29–31 will list a wide range of vices that fill a God-refusing humanity. The flow shows that idolatry and the suppression of truth corrupt the whole person—desires, thoughts, and actions—spreading across society.

v.27and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.

v.28This passage

v.29being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 4:22

    For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are sottish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

  • Acts 17:32

    Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.

  • Ephesians 5:4

    nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.

  • Romans 1:24

    Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:

  • Proverbs 17:16

    Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

  • Romans 1:21

    because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.

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