Romans 1:23
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξαν
the glory
G1391
δόξαν
the glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
4 of 18
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εἰκόνος
an image
G1504
εἰκόνος
an image
Strong's:
G1504
Word #:
10 of 18
a likeness, i.e., (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Psalms 106:20Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.Jeremiah 2:11Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.Acts 17:29Forasmuch 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 1:25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.Ezekiel 8:10So 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.1 Peter 4:3For 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:Deuteronomy 5:8Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:Isaiah 44:13The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.Isaiah 40:18To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?Isaiah 40:26Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Historical Context
Ancient idolatry was pervasive. Egyptians worshiped animal-headed gods (Anubis, Horus). Greeks fashioned anthropomorphic deities (Zeus, Aphrodite). Romans adopted these, adding emperor worship. Jewish readers would recall Israel's golden calf (Exodus 32), making an image 'like a calf that eats grass' (Psalm 106:19-20). Temples with statues, shrines, and household idols saturated the Roman world. Paul's audience in Rome would have walked past countless such images daily. Modern idolatry is subtler—self, money, pleasure, power—but equally destructive.
Questions for Reflection
- What are you tempted to 'exchange' (ἀλλάσσω) the glory of God for—what created things rival God's supreme worth in your life?
- How does idolatry involve not just addition (adding false gods) but exchange (replacing the true God)?
- What modern idols do Christians rationalize or disguise that are spiritually equivalent to ancient statues?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Paul describes the essence of idolatry: kai ēllaxan tēn doxan tou aphthartou theou en homoiōmati eikonos phthartou anthrōpou kai peteinōn kai tetrapodōn kai herpetōn (καὶ ἤλλαξαν τὴν δόξαν τοῦ ἀφθάρτου θεοῦ ἐν ὁμοιώματι εἰκόνος φθαρτοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ πετεινῶν καὶ τετραπόδων καὶ ἑρπετῶν, 'and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image of corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things').
Ēllaxan (ἤλλαξαν, exchanged) is a commercial term—humanity traded the infinitely valuable for the worthless. Tēn doxan tou aphthartou theou (τὴν δόξαν τοῦ ἀφθάρτου θεοῦ, the glory of the incorruptible God) refers to God's eternal, unchanging, radiant majesty. They exchanged this for homoiōmati eikonos phthartou (ὁμοίωμα εἰκόνος φθαρτοῦ, an image/likeness of corruptible things). The descending order—man, birds, quadrupeds, reptiles—echoes Genesis 1 in reverse, a de-creation. Humanity, made in God's image (Genesis 1:27), now worships images of creatures. This is cosmic insanity—the creature worshiping the creature rather than the Creator. It violates the second commandment (Exodus 20:4-6) and Deuteronomy 4:15-19.