Romans 1:32
What does Romans 1:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 1:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 1:32 means
Although people know God’s righteous ordinance—that those who practice such things are worthy of death—they not only do them but also approve those who practice them. This reveals deep moral culpability: sin persists against light. “Worthy of death” signals the just judgment sin deserves before a holy God. Approval of others’ sins compounds guilt, creating cultures that normalize rebellion. Paul’s purpose is not to single out a few but to show universal complicity. This prepares the way for the gospel’s necessity: if all are under sin and its penalty, then only God’s revealed righteousness in Christ can rescue and give life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who, though they have knowledge of the law of God, that the fate of those who do these things is death, not only go on doing these things themselves, but give approval to those who do them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who the righteous judgment of God having known--that those practising such things are worthy of death--not only do them, but also have delight with those practising them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death: and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who knowing the righteous judgment ofGod, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only practise them, but have fellow delight in those who do [them].
Context
Verse 32 caps the argument of vv.18–31: humanity suppresses known truth, exchanges God for idols, and is given over to pervasive sin, all while knowing the moral law’s seriousness. This closes chapter 1’s indictment of human unrighteousness, particularly among the nations, and sets up the next section where Paul warns moralists and Jews not to presume innocence (chapter 2). The stage is thus set for the universal need of salvation revealed in the gospel (vv.16–17).
v.31without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful:
v.32This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
- Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;
- Psalms 50:18
When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst with him, And hast been partaker with adulterers.
- 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.
- Romans 2:1
Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things.
- Romans 6:21
What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
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