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:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν
of their own
G846
αὐτῶν
of their own
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
6 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδιῶν
hearts
G2588
καρδιῶν
hearts
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
11 of 21
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτῶν
of their own
G846
αὐτῶν
of their own
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἀκαθαρσίαν
uncleanness
G167
ἀκαθαρσίαν
uncleanness
Strong's:
G167
Word #:
14 of 21
impurity (the quality), physically or morally
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀτιμάζεσθαι
to dishonour
G818
ἀτιμάζεσθαι
to dishonour
Strong's:
G818
Word #:
16 of 21
to render infamous, i.e., (by implication) contemn or maltreat
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματα
bodies
G4983
σώματα
bodies
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
18 of 21
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
Cross References
Acts 7:42Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?Acts 14:16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.Matthew 15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.Leviticus 18:22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.1 Corinthians 6:18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.1 Thessalonians 4:4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;1 Corinthians 6:13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.Romans 6:12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Historical Context
Greco-Roman sexual ethics were vastly different from biblical standards. Prostitution was legal and common. Pederasty (older men with boys) was accepted in Greek culture. Temple prostitution existed in various cults. Adultery was widespread. Roman sexual license was notorious—orgies, concubinage, sexual exploitation of slaves. Jewish Christians and Gentile converts were called to radical purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Paul's teaching on sexuality was countercultural and remains so today amid the sexual revolution's aftermath.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God 'gave them over' (παραδίδωμι) as judicial judgment (not arbitrary abandonment) inform your view of cultural moral decline?
- What is the connection between idolatry (worshiping self/pleasure) and sexual immorality in contemporary culture?
- How does biblical sexual ethics honor the body (σῶμα) contrary to both asceticism (despising the body) and hedonism (exploiting the body)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Paul now details God's judicial response to idolatry: dio paredōken autous ho theos en tais epithumiais tōn kardiōn autōn eis akatharsia (διὸ παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς ἐν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις τῶν καρδιῶν αὐτῶν εἰς ἀκαθαρσίαν, 'therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness'). The threefold repetition of paredōken (παρέδωκεν, gave over—vv. 24, 26, 28) structures this section. Paredōken is judicial language—God handed them over to the consequences of their rebellion. This is not active causation but divine withdrawal, allowing sin to run its course.
En tais epithumiais tōn kardiōn autōn (ἐν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις τῶν καρδιῶν αὐτῶν, 'in the lusts of their hearts') indicates the internal source—desires, not external coercion. Eis akatharsia (εἰς ἀκαθαρσίαν, unto uncleanness) refers to sexual immorality and impurity, violating God's design for sexuality. The result: tou atimazesthai ta sōmata autōn en autois (τοῦ ἀτιμάζεσθαι τὰ σώματα αὐτῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς, 'to dishonor their bodies among themselves'). Atimazesthai (ἀτιμάζω, to dishonor/degrade) contrasts with the honor due to bodies made in God's image. Sexual sin dehumanizes and degrades, contrary to modern claims of liberation. The pattern: idolatry (v. 23) leads to immorality (v. 24)—rejecting God's authority over worship leads to rejecting His authority over sexuality.