Depravity – Romans 1:26-31

Bethel Baptist Church, David Rising

Romans 1:26-31, April 26, 2026 Sunday AM

Depravity

We have been looking in Romans 1 at the downward spiral of mankind. Reject Jesus? Life is a mess and the future awaits judgment and eternal damnation.

Suppressing the knowledge of God He has given everyone results in an upside-down world and an upside-down life and an end that is a disaster.

As a result of rebelling against God, He turns us over to our desires and allows us to wallow in the mud as it were. God gave over humanity to uncleanness so that people dishonor their own bodies among themselves.

We got a hint last week at the dishonorable activity of depraved man, and we will hear more of those specifics today.

Our text today is Romans 1:26-31 where we see a long list of sins that result from rejecting God and His truth.

As we hear this terrible list, remember that this is all given to us so that we recognize our own guilt and the only solution which is found in the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The good news of chapter 3 awaits. Pray.

The first depraved sin Paul lists specifically is …

1. Vile Passions (1:26-27)

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

26Διὰ τοῦτο παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς εἰς πάθη ἀτιμίας, αἵ τε γὰρ θήλειαι αὐτῶν μετήλλαξαν τὴν φυσικὴν χρῆσιν εἰς τὴν παρὰ φύσιν,

Because of rebellion, God gave them up to what Paul describes here as ‘vile passions’, KJV ‘vile affections’, ESV/NET ‘dishonorable passions’, NASB ‘degrading passions’, NIV ‘shameful lusts’.

This uncleanness has entered into human relations and has turned it upside down.

It is hardly a secret that the world in which we live is twisted when it comes to this very topic. One cannot live in this world for any length of time without seeing these things.

In God’s designed order between a man and a woman – a married couple – physical relations are absolutely beautiful and normal and a gift from God. This often results in being fruitful and multiplying.

When we go beyond the boundaries God established, we are in trouble.

Paul begins with the female side of this issue in verse 26. He’ll address the man in verse 27.

This sin is an illustration of the reversal of what is normal, natural, as God designed it.

Paul focuses first on this affect upon the women, and he describes it as another devastating exchange: ‘their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.’

Rejecting God, these women – representing every single woman who rejects God – exchanged what is good and right for what is bad and wrong.

Verse 27 is more specific and helps fill in the gaps for verse 26, but I think it is quite obvious what Paul is speaking about.

Paul calls this sin unnatural. It is not according to nature.

Some will argue today that it is completely “natural” for them to have this kind of relationship with another woman.

And, as sinful individuals locked in their sin, wholly apart from Christ, this is true in a sense. In the same way that death is “normal” today, so is this kind of sin.

But it is not normal in God’s economy and it certainly is not normal when you simply consider biology 101!

God has given them over to this.

In verses 26 & 27 the words for “women” (θήλειαι<θῆλυς) and “men” (ἄρσενες<ἄρσην) are not the usual words (γυνὴ & ἄνθρωπος), but rather are words that more strongly tie back to Genesis and emphasis the created order, what God intended by nature. These words emphasize the idea of female and male as distinctions – wording which ties in with …

Genesis 5:2 (NKJV) 2 He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.

Just as idolatry is viewed by the world around us as just part of life, so too are these vile passions.

It is unnatural and sinful.

Two females, expressing those vile passions, is an example of an exchange that ties back into “the lie.” No matter what the media says, no matter what some powerful and popular Hollywood figure says, no matter what well-known sports figure may say, and no matter what even many conservative podcasters or journalists might say, it is wrong.

Of course, anyone who dares to take a stand for truth here is mocked and humiliated.

May God give us wisdom and tact when the time might come to speak the truth in public.

Next we see in verse 27 the focus on men:

27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

27ὁμοίως τε καὶ οἱ ἄρσενες ἀφέντες τὴν φυσικὴν χρῆσιν τῆς θηλείας ἐξεκαύθησαν ἐν τῇ ὀρέξει αὐτῶν εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἄρσενες ἐν ἄρσεσιν τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην κατεργαζόμενοι καὶ τὴν ἀντιμισθίαν ἣν ἔδει τῆς πλάνης αὐτῶν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀπολαμβάνοντες.

Sinful man, rebelling against God, turned over to this sin by God, now has discarded God’s natural order or relations with the woman, and now pursues another man.

For years I never really understood the logic of this kind of thing, but several years back it dawned on me that in some ways this is just an extension of love for oneself. We so enjoy what we see in the mirror that we are captured by it and pursue it.

For many decades in our country, we enjoyed a kind of cultural moralism that was fairly friendly to Christianity. That was kind of the world in which I grew up, though it was changing right before our eyes.

We still have to some degree a little restraint through federal and some state laws, but these are disappearing at a rapid pace, despite the best efforts of Christian lobby groups to make a difference.

We cannot legislate away the downward spiral of the depraved heart that rebels against God, especially when God gives people over to these things.

Paul describes what men do with men as something shameful. Burning with lust for a member of the same sex is shameful. And yet, there is no shame these days.

For a man to discard a normal, natural relationship with a woman – his wife – and rather pursue another man, is shameful. It is dishonoring one’s body. It is against nature. It is not what God intended.

And yet it is the pathway to which God gave them over because of their rebellion against God, their suppression of their knowledge of God, and their inevitable idolatrous worship of the creature instead of the Creator.

Some have tried to argue that these verses address only certain kinds of expression of homosexuality (i.e., men with boys), but the text does not indicate any of this. It paints a general picture of this sin with both genders and labels it shameful, vile, wrong, and sinful.

Many have commented that the end of verse 27 speaks of some kind of additional penalty for homosexual behavior – like some disease associated with the practice. While there surely are physical consequences for this kind of behavior, the text seems to make the point that God giving them over to this behavior is the penalty for their error.

God handed them over to this sin and thus to the judgement that will follow. This is the consistent action of a holy God against the ungodliness and uncleanness of mankind.

Paul is very clear here that same-sex human relationships are out of bounds and are the result of the domino effect we saw earlier in the text. Rejection of God and the truth leads one to a life full of sin that results in God’s judgment.

1. Vile Passions (1:26-27)

2. Debased Minds (1:28-32)

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

Because they did not retain God in their knowledge, because they did not “see fit to acknowledge God” (ESV), God gave them over to a debased, depraved mind.

We speak about the depravity of man, and here is one of the uses in the bible of that word.

What is a debased, depraved mind (ἀδόκιμον νοῦν)?

This word speaks about something not passing the test, not being qualified, unfit, worthless, base.

The very mind that knew God but suppressed that thought, the very mind that professed to be wise but became a fool, that very mind ended up worthless.

This is not to say that non-believers are incapable of using their minds. There are very brilliant and productive people who are non-believers. They earn money and support their families and make the world go round economically.

This is a worthless mind in the spiritual sense.

Notice this depraved mind signals the body to do things which are not fitting (καθήκοντα), not appropriate, not the right thing to do.

By the way, this passage is not saying that every single person who has rejected God and His Son does every one of these sins. This merely describes the range of sins that is the potential for those who fit the description of this chapter.

God gave them over so that they will now do what is not fitting.

That is the general statement, and notice now another general statement before the specifics that follow:

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, (πεπληρωμένους πάσῃ ἀδικίᾳ)

This and the next four (three if you don’t have a KJV/NKJV) all should have “being filled” as the initial part of the word. Paul is giving general descriptions in these words of all manner of sin that depraved mankind can and does commit.

To be filled with something is to have that thing describe you, to have that characteristic essentially define your actions.

Depraved humanity is doing what is against God’s will.

God’s wrath is being poured out upon mankind because of unrighteousness, verse 18.

Notice now the specifics:

sexual immorality, (πορνεια)

If you don’t have a KJV or NKJV you will not see this one. There is a textual discussion about this in the reference books. If you saw this Greek word and the next, you would see that they are very close in spelling (see also Metzger, p. 447).

We will consider the word part of the text since it surely is a word that does fit unrighteousness and is mentioned in the NT elsewhere.

This is the word that the KJV calls ‘fornication.’ That word comes from Latin that is associated in English with the brothel. It describes any sexual sin between two individuals not in a married relationship.

The Greek word is the background for our English word ‘porno’ which is attached to ‘graphic’ where we get the word describing one of the horrible realities of Satan that has probably affected us all on some level.

Certainly this word is fitting in the context of verses 26-27 and describes the world in which you and I live.

Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4 makes it clear that it is the will of God, our sanctification, that we should abstain from sexual immorality (4:3), that we do not act like those who do not know God (5). God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness (7). If we reject this teaching, we are not rejecting what man teaches but what God has given to us by His Holy Spirit (8).

wickedness, (πονηρία)

This is another general word that does not specify any particular action, but is a catch-all for all manner of activity in thought and in deed that is against God’s righteousness.

One of the seven times this word form (feminine adj.) is used in the NT it is paired with greed in Luke 11:39 (a reference to the Pharisees).

In Matthew 22:15-18 the Pharisees try to trap Jesus by his talk about taxes, and Jesus scolded them, chiding them for testing him. He then calls them hypocrites.

Wickedness clearly starts in the mind. It is the thought process of evil that has the desire to be expressed by action.

covetousness, (πλεονεξία)

NASB/NIV has ‘greed’. This is the ever-present problem of always wanting more. “I want just one more.” This is the person who is never satisfied with what they have.

This is the charge leveled against Capitalism, though that does not have to be the only motivating factor. That is typically a caricature to promote another economic philosophy that is worse.

Can greed rule us? Sure it can. When we think of covetousness we might think of the 10 Commandments. Exodus 20:17: “You shall not covet (חָמַד) your neighbor’s house…neighbor’s wife…male/female servant…ox…donkey…anything that is your neighbor’s … house, car, Merdedes, garage…skills, looks, talents, money, power, popularity, job, reputation, etc.

We may never admit it, but this can plague all of us at times. We are told in advertising that we can’t possibly be content with what we have, and so we must obtain the new one.

Paul will tell the Ephesian believers to be imitators of God (5:1), to walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us (5:2). He then makes a vice list, much like the list here in Romans, and includes covetousness as one of several noted as what should not even be named among believers because it is not fitting for saints. He says there, as he says in 1 Corinthians 6, that this kind of behavior is not characteristic of those who will inherit the kingdom of God.

maliciousness; (κακία)

ESV ‘malice’; NASB ‘evil’; NIV ‘depravity’ – that which is bad. This is more or less a synonym of ‘wickedness’ which we saw earlier. In fact, it is paired together with wickedness in 1 Corinthians 5:8.

As some of the English translations bring out, it can have a specialized focus on feelings toward others, evil feelings of malice, ill-will.

This is the specific wickedness in the heart of man that would desire to murder someone else, to see them hurt, or to see them fail.

Paul tells the Ephesians (4:31): “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

In other words, this kind of behavior has to be identified even among believers and removed. Why? Because this is behavior of a depraved mind that is in rebellion against God.

full of envy, (φθόνος)

This is similar to covetousness and is often paired with words we have already looked at. Jealousy.

We are discontent with what we have because someone has what we want. We wish we had them. May God help us to be content.

murder, (φόνος)

This means to kill someone else for evil reasons.

Murder is the end result of envy, jealously, covetousness, hatred, anger, etc.

Lest we think we are free and clear, recall that Jesus said that if we hate our brother it is as if we murdered them. May God help us all to love one another.

strife, (ἔρις, ιδος, ἡ)

KJV has ‘debate’. This does not mean we stage a civil argument with another person on a topic with the goal to find the truth.

This is a non-civil debate that has no good goals. Three times Paul addressed the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:11; 3:3; 2 Cor. 12:20) with his concern that they were displaying strife which resulted in divisions.

Paul says in Galatians 2:20 that strife is among a host of vices that is the work of the flesh. Strife is incompatible with a spiritual mind.

deceit, (δόλος)

All translations in English use ‘deceit’. Deceit is associated with lying lips. It is purposely misleading someone by your words and actions.

This is what Satan does 24/7.

In 1 Peter 2:1 it is among the things that we must lay aside so that we might desire the pure milk of the word and grow in our salvation. Deceit has no place in the believer’s life. We are rather to speak the truth in love.

evil-mindedness; (κακοήθεια)

KJV has ‘malignity’; ESV ‘maliciousness’; NASB/NIV ‘malice’; NET ‘hostility’. Any way you slice it, it is not good.

It could be translated ‘craftiness’ like we would think of a dictionary definition of the Serpent in the garden.

This is certainly very similar to other words we have seen. This is only used here in the NT, but I think we understand the point. It is an evil thought with the intent of doing harm or wrong to someone else.

Since we are describing the depraved mind, this is very much a synonym for that concept.

they are whisperers, (ψιθυριστής)

ESV/NASB/NIV/NET ‘gossips’. A gossip is someone who speaks about someone else behind their back. Essentially, they are liars, or at least they don’t have the courage to speak face to face with the one they are usually criticizing in front of others.

They are tale-bearers, usually spreading false stories or severealy slanted stories about others with the goal of lifting up self and tearing down the criticized person.

Proverbs 11:13 says that a gossip reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. Proverbs 16:28 says that a gossip separates the best of friends. Proverbs 20:19 tells us not to associate with a gossip.

30 backbiters, (κατάλαλος)

ESV ‘slanderers’ – they speak evil of other people. Very similar to words we already saw.

haters of God, (θεοστυγής)

This is plain to understand: they hate God. They know him, but they don’t want to follow Him or what He says. The fact that they hate God also shows that they know him.

I find it interesting that many atheists and even agnostics fight so hard to dismiss the idea of God, but if He does not exist why even bother?

violent, (ὑβριστής)

It is quite interesting to read Paul’s testimony in 1 Timothy 1. He states: 1 Timothy 1:13 (NKJV): “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”

Paul was once on this list, but by God’s grace he changed. It was all of grace. This entire list could read the same. It is only by God’s grace that any of us get past these sins and on to the road of righteousness.

proud, (ὑπερήφανος)

ESV ‘haughty’; NASB ‘arrogant’. James 4:6 tells us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Pride and arrogance have no place in the life of the believer. Pride is the fruit of the flesh and not from the Spirit of God.

boasters, (ἀλαζών)

ESV/NASB/NIV/NET ‘boastful’. These sins, like this, don’t seem to rise to the level of murder or some of the others. But they are truly rooted in godlessness.

inventors of evil things, (ἐφευρετής)

NIV ‘invent ways of doing evil’. As if there are not enough already in existence, they now find new ways of doing evil things.

disobedient to parents, (γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς)

This one seems shocking to be on this list, but think about it. This is why we preach the gospel to our children because at the heart of their problem is the depravity they inherited and exercise.

31 undiscerning, (ἀσύνετος)

KJV ‘without understanding’; ESV ‘foolish’. The proverbs are filled with this. Verse 21 speaks of this.

untrustworthy, (ἀσύνθετος)

KJV ‘covenantbreakers’; ESV ‘faithless’; NET ‘covenant-breakers’ footnote ‘promise-breakers’.

unloving, (ἄστοργος)

KJV ‘without natural affection’; ESV ‘heartless’

unforgiving, (ασπονδους)

NU omits.

unmerciful; (ἀνελεήμονας)

ESV/NIV ‘ruthless’; Unkind, showing no mercy.

This is a long list, and notice the final statement:

32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Not only does the depraved man do these things, but he also approves of those who also do them. We see that today all around us, leaders approving of evil things, promoting them as if they were god.

Application

1. Recognize the seriousness of all sin, not just one. We might emphasize one of these sins over the other, but any sin is a violation of God’s righteousness and deserves punishment.

2. Thank God for His grace and mercy through Jesus. We might be glad that some of these sins do not characterize us, but we all struggle with sin in our life in one way or another.

Let us continually look to the cross and remember what Jesus did for us. Let us continually exalt the Lord and spread the gospel message to those who are lost and separated from Christ.