Romans 1:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} changed {G236} the glory {G1391} of the uncorruptible {G862} God {G2316} into {G1722} an image {G1504} made like {G3667} to corruptible {G5349} man {G444}, and {G2532} to birds {G4071}, and {G2532} fourfooted beasts {G5074}, and {G2532} creeping things {G2062}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In fact, they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mere images, like a mortal human being, or like birds, animals or reptiles!

Berean Standard Bible

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

American Standard Version

and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 1:23 profoundly articulates a pivotal act of human rebellion against God: the deliberate exchange of the glorious, imperishable nature of the Creator for debased images modeled after perishable creation. This verse serves as a foundational indictment, demonstrating humanity's active suppression of divine truth and its tragic descent into idolatry, which ultimately leads to spiritual and moral degradation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 1:23 is a crucial component of Paul's comprehensive argument regarding humanity's universal sinfulness and need for God's righteousness, introduced in [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed"). Following his assertion in [Romans 1:19-20](/romans/1-19-20 "Romans 1:19-20 - God's Clear Revelation") that God's invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature are clearly perceived through creation, leaving humanity without excuse, Paul describes the specific nature of this inexcusable rebellion. Verse 21 states that despite knowing God, people "glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Verse 22 further emphasizes their self-deception, claiming to be wise while becoming fools. Thus, [Romans 1:23](/romans/1-23 "Romans 1:23 - The Exchange of God's Glory") presents the culminating act of this spiritual foolishness: the active perversion of worship, setting the stage for God's "giving them up" to their depraved desires, detailed in [Romans 1:24-32](/romans/1-24-32 "Romans 1:24-32 - The Consequences of Idolatry").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote to a church in Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire, a melting pot of diverse cultures and religions. While the Roman state religion involved the worship of a pantheon of gods (Jupiter, Mars, Venus, etc.), often represented by statues and images, the empire also absorbed various mystery cults and local deities from conquered territories. Emperor worship was increasingly prevalent, demanding allegiance to the emperor as a divine figure. Furthermore, philosophical schools, while often critical of popular polytheism, frequently failed to acknowledge or worship the one true God, instead elevating human reason or abstract concepts. The specific mention of "man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things" directly reflects the widespread idolatrous practices of the Greco-Roman world, including deified heroes, animal cults (like those in Egypt), and various forms of animism or nature worship. This verse indicts not just the crude idol worship of paganism but also the intellectual pride that refuses to acknowledge the Creator, a theme Paul also touches upon in [Acts 17](/acts/17 "Acts 17 - Paul's Sermon on Mars Hill").
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Romans 1:23](/romans/1-23 "Romans 1:23 - The Exchange of God's Glory") is **Idolatry**, understood not merely as bowing to physical images, but as the fundamental misdirection of worship and allegiance away from the Creator to the created. This verse highlights the **Exchange of Glory**, a profound theological concept where humanity trades the infinite, uncorruptible glory of God for finite, corruptible representations. This exchange signifies a radical perversion of true worship and knowledge. Another key theme is **Spiritual Degradation**, illustrated by the descending order of objects of worship (man, birds, beasts, creeping things), which symbolizes the intellectual and moral decay that results from rejecting God's true nature. This deliberate choice to suppress the truth, as mentioned in [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed"), leads to a darkened understanding and a perverted worldview, setting the stage for the divine judgment of "giving them over" to their sinful desires, as seen in [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gives Them Up").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **changed (Greek, _allássō'_):** From G236, meaning "to make different." This word emphasizes that the act of turning from God's glory was not a passive drift but an active, deliberate, and decisive transformation or substitution. Humanity consciously chose to alter the object of their worship and devotion, exchanging the true for the false.
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** From G1391, meaning "glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective):--dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship." Here, "glory" refers to the manifest presence, power, majesty, and inherent worth of God—that which evokes awe, reverence, and worship. It is the visible expression of His divine nature, which humanity, as Paul states, perceived but refused to honor.
* **uncorruptible (Greek, _áphthartos'_):** From G862, meaning "undecaying (in essence or continuance):--not (in-, un-)corruptible, immortal." This adjective profoundly describes God's nature as eternal, imperishable, and unchanging, in stark contrast to the transient, decaying, and finite nature of all created things, including humanity itself. The exchange is thus from the eternal to the temporal, from the perfect to the flawed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God":** This initial clause identifies the profound and active perversion at the heart of human rebellion. "Changed" (ἀλλάσσω) signifies a deliberate exchange or substitution. The object of this exchange is "the glory of the uncorruptible God." God's "glory" (δόξα) represents His inherent majesty, visible attributes, and divine essence that demands worship and honor. The term "uncorruptible" (ἄφθαρτος) highlights God's eternal, imperishable, and unchanging nature, setting Him apart from all creation. Humanity, having perceived this glory through creation (as per [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Attributes Clearly Seen")), actively chose to dishonor it.
* **"into an image made like to corruptible man,":** This part of the verse specifies the first and perhaps most insidious object of the exchange: an "image" (εἰκών) that is "made like" (ὁμοίωμα) "corruptible man." The term "corruptible" (φθαρτός) stands in direct opposition to God's "uncorruptible" nature, emphasizing the perishable, decaying, and finite nature of humanity. This points to anthropocentric idolatry—the elevation of humanity itself, its ideals, achievements, or even its physical form, to a place of ultimate worship, effectively making man the measure of all things instead of God.
* **"and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.":** This final phrase further details the descent of humanity's idolatrous worship, illustrating a progressive degradation of the object of veneration. From corruptible man, the worship extends to "birds" (πετεινόν), "fourfooted beasts" (τετράπους), and "creeping things" (ἑρπετόν). This list represents a comprehensive spectrum of the animal kingdom, from the sky to the land, and even to the lowest forms of life. This progression underscores the profound spiritual and intellectual decay that results from rejecting the true God, demonstrating that once the Creator is abandoned, there is no limit to the absurd and debased forms of worship humanity will embrace.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in [Romans 1:23](/romans/1-23 "Romans 1:23 - The Exchange of God's Glory") to underscore his theological point. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting the "uncorruptible God" against "corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." This stark opposition highlights the irrationality and profound degradation of humanity's choice to exchange the eternal for the perishable. There is also a clear **Descent** or **Degradation** in the objects of idolatry, moving from man to birds, then to four-footed beasts, and finally to creeping things. This downward trajectory visually and conceptually illustrates the spiritual and moral decline that inevitably follows the rejection of the Creator. Furthermore, the phrase "changed the glory" can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where "glory" stands in for God's very being, essence, and manifest presence, emphasizing that it is God Himself, in His most profound aspect, who is being rejected and replaced.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 1:23 encapsulates a foundational theological truth: humanity's inherent tendency to worship, and the tragic misdirection of that worship from the Creator to the created. This act of "changing the glory" is not merely a historical phenomenon limited to ancient paganism, but a timeless expression of human rebellion against divine authority. It reveals that the root of sin is not simply breaking rules, but a fundamental reorientation of allegiance and ultimate value. When God's uncorruptible glory is exchanged for corruptible images, it distorts our understanding of reality, ourselves, and the divine, leading to a cascade of moral and spiritual consequences, as Paul elaborates in the subsequent verses of [Romans 1](/romans/1 "Romans 1 - God's Righteousness and Human Sin"). This verse underscores the absolute necessity of worshipping God alone, recognizing His unique sovereignty and imperishability.

* [Exodus 20:4-5](/exodus/20-4-5 "Exodus 20:4-5 - The Second Commandment Against Idols")
* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Folly of Idols")
* [Isaiah 40:18-20](/isaiah/40-18-20 "Isaiah 40:18-20 - God's Incomparable Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific forms of idolatry mentioned in [Romans 1:23](/romans/1-23 "Romans 1:23 - The Exchange of God's Glory") might seem ancient, the underlying principle remains profoundly relevant today. Modern idolatry rarely involves literal statues of birds or beasts, but it manifests in countless ways when we place ultimate trust, affection, and devotion in anything other than the uncorruptible God. This can include the worship of wealth, power, status, beauty, intellectual prowess, political ideologies, self-image, or even relationships. Any created thing that assumes the place of God in our hearts becomes an idol, leading to a similar spiritual degradation and distortion of truth. This verse calls us to a rigorous self-examination: what do we truly value most? Where do we seek our ultimate security, identity, and meaning? True worship involves acknowledging God's unique, uncorruptible glory and aligning our lives, desires, and allegiances solely with Him, recognizing that only He is worthy of our complete devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I be exchanging the "glory of the uncorruptible God" for something corruptible in my own life today?**
* **What created things or concepts do I tend to elevate to a place of ultimate importance or trust, perhaps without even realizing it?**
* **How does recognizing God as "uncorruptible" challenge my understanding of security, permanence, and worth in a constantly changing world?**
* **What practical steps can I take to reorient my worship and devotion more fully towards God alone?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "the glory of the uncorruptible God"?**

Answer: "The glory of the uncorruptible God" refers to the manifest presence, inherent majesty, and divine attributes of God that are clearly evident, particularly through His creation (as stated in [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Attributes Clearly Seen")). It encompasses His power, wisdom, holiness, and eternal nature—everything that makes Him worthy of worship and honor. The term "uncorruptible" (Greek: *áphthartos*) emphasizes God's imperishable, unchanging, and immortal nature, standing in stark contrast to the perishable and decaying nature of all created things. Humanity, despite being able to perceive this glorious, eternal reality, actively chose to suppress it and replace it with images of finite, corruptible creation.

**Is this verse only about literal idol worship, or does it have broader implications for today?**

Answer: While [Romans 1:23](/romans/1-23 "Romans 1:23 - The Exchange of God's Glory") certainly indicts literal idol worship prevalent in Paul's day, its implications are far broader and timeless. The core principle is the misdirection of worship and ultimate allegiance from the Creator to the created. In modern contexts, this can manifest as placing ultimate trust, value, or devotion in anything other than God—such as wealth, power, status, human achievement, scientific progress, political ideologies, self-image, or even relationships. Any created thing that assumes the place of God in our hearts becomes an idol, leading to a similar spiritual and moral distortion as literal idol worship did in ancient times. The verse warns against allowing anything finite and perishable to take the place that belongs only to the infinite and uncorruptible God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 1:23 starkly portrays humanity's tragic exchange of God's uncorruptible glory for corruptible images, highlighting the depth of human rebellion and the futility of idolatry. In contrast to this fallen state, Jesus Christ stands as the perfect and ultimate revelation of God's glory. He is described in [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God") as "the image of the invisible God," and in [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory") as "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." Where humanity distorted and exchanged God's glory, Christ perfectly embodies and reveals it. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus not only exposes the emptiness of worshipping created things but also provides the means for humanity to be reconciled to the true God and restored to proper worship. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through faith in Him, believers are transformed "into his image from one degree of glory to another" ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into His Image")), reversing the tragic exchange described in [Romans 1:23](/romans/1-23 "Romans 1:23 - The Exchange of God's Glory") and enabling genuine, Spirit-led worship of the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 106:20

Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

Jeremiah 2:11

Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit.

Acts 17:29

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Romans 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 Peter 4:3

For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Ezekiel 8:10

So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.

Psalms 115:5

They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: