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:
What does Romans 1:26 mean?
In the horrid depravity of the heathen, the truth of our Lord's words was shown: "Light was come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil; for he that doeth evil hateth the light." The truth was not to their taste.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Romans 1:24-28 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Romans 1:26
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: For this cause - On account of what had just been specified; to wit, that they did not glorify him as God, that they were unthankful, that they became polytheists and idolaters. In the previous verses he had stated their speculative belief. He now proceeds to show its practical influences on their conduct. Vile affections - Disgraceful passions or desires. That is, to those which are immediately specified.
Context in Romans 1
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Romans 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as gospel and the universal problem of sin. Romans is Paul’s fullest sustained exposition of sin, grace, righteousness, faith, Israel, the Spirit, and transformed life in Christ. Read this chapter with the wider themes of justification, grace, and faith in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.