Romans 1:26
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
Truth to Learn
Paul makes it very clear that homosexuality is sinful.
Behind the Words
The phrase “gave them up” is from paredoken, meaning “to give up to” or “to surrender something to.” This is the same word found in verse 24 and verse 28.
“Vile” is from the Greek word atimios, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and a form of timaō, which means “to give honor.” Hence, atimios means “dishonorable” or “disgraceful.”
The word translated “women” is thēlus. This is the word which is used in expressing a sexual gender distinction from men. The usual word for woman or wife is gunē.
The expression “natural use” is from the Greek words psukikēn krēsin. Psukikēn refers to the natural, or physical, body. Krēsin is from the verb chraomai, meaning “to use.” Hence, krēsin refers to the use of something. Together, we see these words refer to the natural physical use. Its predominant use is in reference to sexual activities.
The expression “against nature” is from the Greek words para psusin. The word para means “beside, alongside, or against” and psusin means “to bring forth as in child birth.” Hence, these two words refer to that which is “against the natural use for reproduction.”
Meaning Explained
Paul is talking about those who have rejected the evidence of the one true God and have decided to worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. In verse 24 Paul said because they exchanged the glory of God for idols, God “gave them up” (He surrendered them) to the uncleanness that is in their hearts, driving them to dishonor their bodies between themselves.
Now, because they refuse to acknowledge their creator, God surrendered them to unnatural and disgraceful passions. And what are these disgraceful passions? One of them is, “their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.” What Paul is saying is that these women gave up normal sexual intercourse within the confines of marriage for a form of sex that is contrary to that which would produce children.
Paul is saying that these women developed a view of sex that is simply a physical act rather than an expression of deep devotion between a husband and a wife. With this unnatural view of sex, all kinds of perversion become possible to the depraved mind of Godless people. Based on the specific words used here and what Paul says in the verse that follows, it is quite certain that he is referring to female homosexuality.
Paul will get even more graphic, though tastefully so, in the next verse about what the men have done.
Application
God is very clear in this series of verses that homosexuality is wrong. It is sinful! But we need to be careful that we Christians learn to love the sinner even though we hate their sin. Someone engaged in this sinful practice can be saved, but once saved they must reject their sinful ways.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2009 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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