Romans 1:26

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1223} this {G5124} cause God {G2316} gave {G3860} them {G846} up {G3860} unto {G1519} vile {G819} affections {G3806}: for {G1063} even {G5037} their {G846} women {G2338} did change {G3337} the natural {G5446} use {G5540} into {G1519} that which is against {G3844} nature {G5449}:

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why God has given them up to degrading passions; so that their women exchange natural sexual relations for unnatural;

Berean Standard Bible

For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

American Standard Version

For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 1:26 unveils a profound consequence of humanity's deliberate rejection of God, asserting that the Creator "gave them up" to the natural outworking of their sinful desires. Specifically, this verse highlights the moral decay manifested in women exchanging the natural, God-ordained use of their bodies for practices contrary to nature, serving as a stark illustration of the spiritual rebellion and idolatry described earlier in Paul's indictment of humanity's unrighteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 1:26 is intricately woven into Paul's overarching argument regarding the universal need for the gospel, which he establishes by demonstrating humanity's pervasive sinfulness. It directly follows [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gave Them Up to Impurity"), where God first "gave them up" to impurity as a consequence of their idolatry and the suppression of divine truth (cf. [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - Suppressing the Truth")). This verse, along with [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28 - God Gave Them Up to a Reprobate Mind"), forms a powerful rhetorical triptych, illustrating a progressive divine judgment where God withdraws His restraining grace, allowing humanity to descend further into the natural consequences of its rebellion. The sequence moves from impurity (sexual immorality in general) to dishonorable passions (specifically unnatural sexual acts) and finally to a reprobate mind, demonstrating a logical and moral downward spiral stemming from the initial rejection of God's revealed glory.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's letter to the Romans was addressed to a diverse church in the heart of the Roman Empire, a society characterized by a complex interplay of philosophical thought, religious syncretism, and widespread moral permissiveness. Greco-Roman culture, while possessing elements of high philosophy and law, also exhibited pervasive sexual practices that included various forms of same-sex relations, often within the context of pederasty or cultic prostitution. The concept of "nature" (*physis*) was debated among philosophers, but generally referred to an inherent order or design, whether cosmic or biological. Paul's reference to "against nature" would have resonated with some philosophical traditions that recognized a natural order, but his ultimate standard is not merely philosophical but theological—rooted in God's created order as revealed in Genesis. This context underscores that Paul was not merely addressing isolated behaviors but a systemic moral breakdown prevalent in the pagan world, viewed as a direct consequence of their spiritual rebellion against the Creator.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in Romans. The most prominent is the theme of **Divine Handing Over** (or passive judgment), where God, in His righteous judgment, allows humanity to experience the full, natural consequences of their persistent rebellion and idolatry. This is not an active pushing into sin, but a judicial withdrawal of His restraining grace, confirming the path chosen by humanity. Another crucial theme is the **Consequences of Idolatry**: Paul argues that turning away from the worship of the true God (as described in [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21-23 "Romans 1:21-23 - Exchanging God's Glory for Idols")) inevitably leads to a distortion of human relationships and behavior, particularly in the realm of sexuality. This highlights **Disordered Sexuality as a Sign of Spiritual Rebellion**, where deviations from God's created order for human relationships serve as a visible manifestation of a deeper, underlying spiritual rejection of the Creator. The verse thus underscores the profound interconnectedness between theology and ethics, demonstrating that a corrupted view of God leads to corrupted human conduct.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **gave them up (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** From G3860, meaning "to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust, transmit." In this context, it signifies a divine act of judicial abandonment or withdrawal. God does not compel sin, but rather, in response to humanity's persistent rejection and suppression of truth, He "hands them over" to the natural consequences of their chosen path of rebellion. This is a passive judgment, allowing humanity to experience the full outworking of their unrighteous desires.
* **vile affections (Greek, _atimía páthos'_):** A combination of G819 (*atimía*) meaning "infamy, disgrace, dishonour" and G3806 (*páthos*) meaning "suffering ('pathos'), i.e. (subjectively) a passion (especially concupiscence)." Together, it translates to "passions of dishonor" or "shameful lusts." This phrase describes intense, corrupt desires that are inherently disgraceful and contrary to God's design, highlighting the debased nature of the affections to which humanity was surrendered.
* **did change (Greek, _metallássō'_):** From G3337, meaning "to exchange." This verb denotes a deliberate alteration or substitution. In this verse, it emphasizes the active choice made by individuals to deviate from the "natural use" (G5446 *physikós* + G5540 *chrēsis*) and embrace that which is "against nature." It implies a volitional act of reordering or perverting what was originally established by God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:"** This opening clause establishes the causal link between humanity's prior idolatry and suppression of truth (as detailed in [Romans 1:18-25](/romans/1-18-25 "Romans 1:18-25 - Humanity's Rebellion and Idolatry")) and the subsequent divine judgment. God's "giving up" is not an arbitrary act but a righteous response to persistent rebellion. The phrase "vile affections" introduces the specific manifestation of this judgment, pointing to desires that are inherently disgraceful and dishonoring.
* **"for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:"** This clause provides a specific example of the "vile affections," focusing on the sexual practices of women. The use of "even" (G5037 *té*) emphasizes the depth of the moral degradation, indicating that this deviation from the created order extended to all, including women. "Natural use" refers to sexual relations in accordance with God's design for procreation and union between male and female. "Against nature" (G3844 *pará* + G5449 *phýsis*) signifies a deviation from this created order, explicitly identifying same-sex sexual acts as contrary to the inherent design established by God. This specific example serves as a vivid illustration of the broader principle that rejection of the Creator leads to perversion in creation.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in Romans 1:26 to underscore his theological argument. The most prominent is **Cause and Effect**, where the verse explicitly links humanity's idolatry and suppression of truth (the cause) to God's "giving them up" and the subsequent moral degradation (the effect). This establishes a clear theological framework for understanding the consequences of spiritual rebellion. Furthermore, Paul utilizes **Parallelism** across [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gave Them Up to Impurity"), [Romans 1:26](/romans/1-26 "Romans 1:26 - God Gave Them Up to Vile Affections"), and [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28 - God Gave Them Up to a Reprobate Mind"), each beginning with the phrase "God gave them up." This rhetorical repetition emphasizes the progressive nature of divine judgment and the escalating severity of humanity's moral decline. Finally, Paul uses **Rhetorical Argumentation** by presenting a specific, vivid example (women changing natural use to unnatural) to substantiate his broader claim about "vile affections," thereby making his abstract theological point concrete and undeniable for his audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 1:26 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that the rejection of the Creator inevitably leads to a distortion of creation, particularly in human relationships and sexuality. When humanity suppresses the truth about God and exchanges His glory for idolatry, God, in His righteous judgment, allows them to experience the natural consequences of their choices. This "giving up" is not an arbitrary punishment but a judicial act that reveals the inherent disorder that results when humanity departs from its designed purpose and source of truth. The specific mention of same-sex sexual relations among women serves as a potent example of this profound spiritual and moral deviation, demonstrating that rebellion against God's divine authority manifests in a perversion of God's created order for human life and relationships. It underscores that true human flourishing is inextricably linked to acknowledging and honoring the Creator.

* [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gave Them Up to Impurity")
* [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28 - God Gave Them Up to a Reprobate Mind")
* [1 Corinthians 6:9-10](/1_corinthians/6-9-10 "1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Inheriting the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 1:26 serves as a sobering mirror, inviting us to critically examine the foundations of our own lives and societies. Paul's argument reveals that a departure from God's truth has profound and far-reaching consequences, leading to a distortion of human desires and relationships. The principle is clear: when the Creator is rejected, creation itself becomes disordered. This verse challenges us to consider whether we, individually or collectively, are suppressing the truth about God and consequently experiencing the "giving up" to disordered affections. It calls for a profound humility and a return to acknowledging God as the ultimate source of truth, morality, and design for all aspects of life, including our sexuality and relationships. Understanding this passage should foster a deep sense of dependence on God's grace and a commitment to living in accordance with His revealed will, recognizing that true freedom and flourishing are found only in submission to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my society, be "suppressing the truth" about God, and what might be the resulting "vile affections" or disordered desires?**
* **How does understanding God's act of "giving them up" shape my view of divine judgment and human responsibility?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the interconnectedness of spiritual rebellion and moral decay, particularly in the realm of human relationships and sexuality?**

### FAQ
**What does "God gave them up" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "God gave them up" (Greek: *paradídōmi*) does not mean that God actively caused or commanded people to sin. Instead, it signifies a judicial act of divine abandonment or withdrawal. Because humanity persistently suppressed the truth about God and chose to worship created things rather than the Creator (as described in [Romans 1:18-25](/romans/1-18-25 "Romans 1:18-25 - Humanity's Rebellion and Idolatry")), God, in His righteous judgment, withdrew His restraining grace. He allowed them to experience the full, natural consequences of their chosen path of rebellion and idolatry, letting them descend further into the very desires and behaviors they had chosen. It's a passive judgment, confirming their self-chosen trajectory away from Him.

**What does "against nature" refer to in Romans 1:26?**

Answer: In Romans 1:26, "against nature" (Greek: *para phýsin*) refers to sexual practices that deviate from God's created design and order for humanity. Paul's argument throughout [Romans 1](/romans/1 "Romans 1 - The Gospel and Human Sinfulness") is rooted in the created order, particularly as established in [Genesis 1-2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1-2 - Creation of the World and Humanity"). The "natural use" (G5446 *physikós* + G5540 *chrēsis*) of sexual relations refers to the procreative and unitive act between male and female, consistent with the biblical account of creation where God made humanity as male and female and commanded them to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:27-28](/genesis/1-27-28 "Genesis 1:27-28 - Creation of Man and Woman")). Therefore, "against nature" specifically denotes same-sex sexual relations, which Paul presents as a clear manifestation of humanity's profound spiritual rebellion and rejection of God's design.

**Is this verse only about specific sexual sins, or does it have broader implications?**

Answer: While Romans 1:26 specifically addresses same-sex sexual relations as an example of "vile affections," its implications are much broader. This verse is part of a larger argument in [Romans 1](/romans/1 "Romans 1 - The Universal Need for the Gospel") that details the universal human condition of sin, stemming from a foundational rejection of God as Creator and Sustainer. The specific sexual sins mentioned are presented as symptomatic of a deeper spiritual rebellion—the exchange of God's truth for a lie and the worship of creation rather than the Creator ([Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Romans 1:25 - Exchanging the Truth for a Lie")). Therefore, the verse has broader implications for understanding that any deviation from God's intended design for human life, relationships, and worship is a consequence of spiritual alienation from Him. It highlights that disordered desires and behaviors are ultimately rooted in a disordered relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 1:26, with its stark depiction of humanity's descent into "vile affections" and practices "against nature" as a consequence of rejecting God, powerfully underscores the desperate need for Christ. This verse reveals the severity of humanity's fallen state, demonstrating that sin is not merely a collection of bad behaviors but a fundamental rebellion against the Creator's design, leading to a judicial "giving up" by God. In Christ, however, we find the ultimate answer to this profound human dilemma. Where humanity exchanged God's truth for a lie, Jesus Christ is the embodiment of truth and the very image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")). He came to redeem a humanity lost in its disordered affections and reprobate mind, offering not only forgiveness for sin but also transformation of the heart and mind. Through faith in Christ, believers are no longer "given up" to their vile passions but are instead given the Holy Spirit, who enables them to walk "according to the Spirit" rather than "according to the flesh" ([Romans 8:4-5](/romans/8-4-5 "Romans 8:4-5 - Walking According to the Spirit")). The gospel of Jesus Christ offers reconciliation with God, restoring humanity to its intended relationship with the Creator and empowering believers to live in accordance with His natural and moral order, fulfilling the very purpose for which they were created ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

Jude 1:7

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

1 Timothy 1:10

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Leviticus 18:22

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.

Leviticus 18:28

That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that [were] before you.

Romans 1:24

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

1 Corinthians 6:9

¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Ephesians 4:19

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.