Romans Chapter 1 · Verse 28

Authorized King James Version

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And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καθὼς even as G2531
καθὼς even as
Strong's: G2531
Word #: 2 of 20
just (or inasmuch) as, that
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 3 of 20
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἐδοκίμασαν like G1381
ἐδοκίμασαν like
Strong's: G1381
Word #: 4 of 20
to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς God G2316
θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 6 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἔχειν to retain G2192
ἔχειν to retain
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 7 of 20
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 8 of 20
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ἐπιγνώσει their knowledge G1922
ἐπιγνώσει their knowledge
Strong's: G1922
Word #: 9 of 20
recognition, i.e., (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement
παρέδωκεν gave G3860
παρέδωκεν gave
Strong's: G3860
Word #: 10 of 20
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
αὐτοὺς them G846
αὐτοὺς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 11 of 20
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 #: 12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς God G2316
θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 13 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εἰς to G1519
εἰς to
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 14 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἀδόκιμον a reprobate G96
ἀδόκιμον a reprobate
Strong's: G96
Word #: 15 of 20
unapproved, i.e., rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally)
νοῦν mind G3563
νοῦν mind
Strong's: G3563
Word #: 16 of 20
the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning
ποιεῖν to do G4160
ποιεῖν to do
Strong's: G4160
Word #: 17 of 20
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 19 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
καθήκοντα convenient G2520
καθήκοντα convenient
Strong's: G2520
Word #: 20 of 20
to reach to, i.e., (neuter of present active participle, figuratively as adjective) becoming

Analysis & Commentary

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

The third paredōken (παρέδωκεν, gave them over) brings the climax: kai kathōs ouk edokimasan ton theon echein en epignōsei, paredōken autous ho theos eis adokimon noun (καὶ καθὼς οὐκ ἐδοκίμασαν τὸν θεὸν ἔχειν ἐν ἐπιγνώσει, παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς εἰς ἀδόκιμον νοῦν, 'and just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind'). Ouk edokimasan (οὐκ ἐδοκίμασαν, did not approve/see fit) indicates deliberate rejection after examination. Echein en epignōsei (ἔχειν ἐν ἐπιγνώσει, to have in knowledge) is full, accurate knowledge—they refused to retain God in their thinking.

The judgment: eis adokimon noun (εἰς ἀδόκιμον νοῦν, to a depraved/disqualified mind). Adokimon (ἀδόκιμος) means failed the test, worthless, reprobate—the moral faculty is corrupted. Noun (νοῦς, mind) is the seat of reasoning and moral judgment. When people reject God, He gives them over to darkened thinking (v. 21), leading to immoral behavior. The result: poiein ta mē kathēkonta (ποιεῖν τὰ μὴ καθήκοντα, 'to do things not fitting/proper'). Kathēkonta (καθήκω, fitting/proper) refers to behavior befitting humanity made in God's image—they do the opposite. This introduces the vice list in verses 29-31.

Historical Context

Paul's diagnosis is that intellectual rejection of God leads to moral collapse. History confirms this—societies that abandon God descend into moral chaos. The Roman Empire's decline paralleled its moral decadence. The Enlightenment's rejection of Christianity led to the horrors of 20th-century totalitarianism. Post-Christian Western culture's embrace of relativism has unleashed moral confusion. When God is expelled from public consciousness, objective morality vanishes, and 'anything goes.' The reprobate mind cannot discern right from wrong.

Questions for Reflection