The conclusion of Romans 1 is that no human responds to the clear revelation of God in creation. Because humans do not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, God hands them over to a “not worthwhile” mind. Based on contemporary rhetoric one would assume the worst of all sins was homosexuality. Yet the worthless thinking of the world which rejects the clear revelation of God is quite familiar to everyone. It is remarkable how few of these sins are related to sex, in contrast to Christian preaching on sin.
The first verb (δοκιμάζω) is related to the adjective translated “debased” in the ESV (ἀδόκιμος). This word has the sense of “not standing the test” (BDAG), thus worthless. This play on words highlights the worthlessness of Gentile thinking, since they have chosen not to acknowledge God properly, God allows that thinking to follow its course, resulting in complete separation.
Virtue and vice lists are common on both Greek and Roman sources. Paul’s sin list is remarkably similar to a list in the Wisdom of Solomon 14:22-31.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:22–31 (NRSV) Then it was not enough for them to err about the knowledge of God, but though living in great strife due to ignorance, they call such great evils peace. 23 For whether they kill children in their initiations, or celebrate secret mysteries, or hold frenzied revels with strange customs, 24 they no longer keep either their lives or their marriages pure, but they either treacherously kill one another, or grieve one another by adultery, 25 and all is a raging riot of blood and murder, theft and deceit, corruption, faithlessness, tumult, perjury, 26 confusion over what is good, forgetfulness of favors, defiling of souls, sexual perversion, disorder in marriages, adultery, and debauchery. 27 For the worship of idols not to be named is the beginning and cause and end of every evil. 28 For their worshipers either rave in exultation, or prophesy lies, or live unrighteously, or readily commit perjury; 29 for because they trust in lifeless idols they swear wicked oaths and expect to suffer no harm. 30 But just penalties will overtake them on two counts: because they thought wrongly about God in devoting themselves to idols, and because in deceit they swore unrighteously through contempt for holiness. 31 For it is not the power of the things by which people swear, but the just penalty for those who sin, that always pursues the transgression of the unrighteous.
Paul’s list is “what ought not to be done.” Most of the words in Paul’s sin list are self-evident in the sense that we do not need to define anger, rage, or malice. We know it when we see it! One item in Paul’s list stands out. Disobedience to parents was seen by both Jews and Romans as “profoundly dangerous” (cited by Jewett, Romans, 188). Seneca the Elder said “remember, fathers expected absolute obedience from their children and could punish recalcitrant children even with death.” Deuteronomy 21:18-21 allows for disobedient children to be taken to the city gates and stoned to death!
The final four words, “foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless,” indicate people lack the basic essentials of humanity from the perspective of the Greco-Roman world (Jewett, Romans, 188-9). The ESV attempts to give the rhyming flavor of the Greek text (ἀσυνέτους ἀσυνθέτους ἀστόργους ἀνελεήμονας, asynetous asynthetous astorgous aneleēmonas).
Virtually every vice on this list in Romans 1:28-31 would be considered sinful or evil in most cultures that have ever existed, yet every culture that has ever existed still struggles with envy, murder, strife, etc. For a Jewish reader it would be very easy at this point to point a finger at the Gentile world and say “preach it, Paul!” So too contemporary Christians who (hypocritically) finish reading this chapter and whisper to themselves, “I am glad I am not like one of those people!”
It is healthy for a Christian reader of Romans 1 not to point fingers at others, but honestly agree with Paul that these “things which ought not be done” are far too common in the local church. Paul’s intention was not to embarrass people or call them sinners, but to show that we are all in the same place, people who have fallen short of the glory of God.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
This post and what Paul has to say in Romans is really relate-able and eye opening. In our culture today, it is incredibly easy to point the finger and play the blame game. As humans we do not want to take responsibility for our mistakes. As Christians it is important to strive to live in a way that is pleasing to God, living so that we are not looked at as hypocrites and condemners. “Paul’s intention was not to embarrass people or call them sinners, but to show that we are all in the same place, people who have fallen short of the glory of God.” This last sentence is helpful in understanding and realizing that Paul does not put himself above any of us, instead he wants only to show us that we are all so far from God. I have personally questioned Paul’s motives behind his harsh words in Romans while calling sinners out. At times I have found myself viewing Paul as an individual that thinks highly of himself and wants to condemn the world. My perception of Paul could not be more wrong. Paul is simply calling people out for their continual wickedness and wants people to come to know Christ and the peace/hope that He offers.We (I especially) need to get away from the preconceived ideas and thoughts about Paul and what he has to say and stop pin-pointing all the faults that others have, when we are just as bad or worse (Mathew 7:5).
Some Christians do not like to associate themselves with this passage because it refers to “those pagans” (as some people may call them). Some Christians do not like to admit that they area sinners, even though they know that everyone was, in fact, born a sinner. (Romans 3:23) Jesus died to forgive such kinds of people. Church goers can mask their personal lives as an attempt to somehow show themselves as better people than “those pagans” mentioned in Romans 1. As it has been seen occurring over many generations, the acceptance of the sins mentioned in Romans 1:28-31 is becoming increasingly normalized. These behaviors are being encouraged by social media, tv shows, as well as the government. Even some of those who follow Christ have diluted their beliefs to approve of certain kinds of behavior. This is due to a complacency in faith not uncommon to this generation. They do not know what the scriptures say, and if they do not find authority in it, then their views regarding issues involving sin could potentially change. The suppression of truth as shown by the Gentiles in this chapter reminds one of a parent-child relationship. The child knows they must clean their room by a certain time in a day. They know the consequences of their actions, yet they still disobey. They have decided that disobedience is more satisfying then the relationship with their parents so they continue pursuing the same sin. So is the same with the Gentiles written about in chapter 1.
There are many that allow themselves to take part in such a depth of sin as God allows them to be handed over to completely indulge in their sin. That is exactly what Paul is dealing with as he is writing this section of Romans. There are members of the Roman church who have completely abandon God and allowed themselves to live in the sin of their flesh.
According to Thinking Through Paul, these sins that Paul is discussing are sins which “characterize the Gentile world.” (TTP, 179). Therefore, in many ways, Paul is dealing with things that are normal in the Roman culture that should not be done as followers of Christ. He does a similar thing as he did when writing to the believers of Corinth and makes a comparison between the life they are currently living and that which they should live which will honor and glorify Christ.
There are a sparking number of similarities between today’s culture and the culture of Paul’s day. We too, just like the Roman believers, are living in a culture where Christians feel they can indulge in sin and it be perfectly fine in the eyes of the Lord. However, this is simply not so. God is neither pleased nor joyful about any sin that occurs – whether it may be large or small – and not until what he allowed to happen in the Roman church, he also does today. People devise ways to satisfy their purpose in life by chasing after sin while ignoring the purpose in life that God freely gives.
Romans 1:18–32 describes why God rightfully condemns humanity and some of what He has done about it. Humanity’s fall is pictured as a downward progression. It starts with rejecting God as creator, refusing to see what can be known about Him by what He has made. But like Long said, we as believers can’t start pointing fingers. Like the famous first verse to the Romans Road, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Every single person, saved or not, daily replace God (the most important thing in our lives) with something that we want to take the place of the uppermost importance. Paul is calling everyone out. The whole first chapter of Romans shows us how we can live in this fallen world as fallen people. Those who suppress that truth and turn away from God’s one method of salvation will be without excuse. He will pour out His wrath on them regardless of what the foolish wisdom of the world may teach. Those, however, who come to God through Christ will be forgiven.