who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.
Truth to Learn
Those who reject God are comfortable with others who feel the same way.
Behind the Words
“Knowing” is translated from the Greek word epiginōskō. It is made up of epi, meaning “upon or over” and ginoskō, meaning “knowledge.” Hence it is more than mere knowledge about something, it is knowing upon something. In other words, recognizing or realizing the truth about something.
The words, “righteous judgment” are a translation of dikaiōma, which roughly means, “a righteousness proclamation.”
The word translated “practicing” is a form of prassō, meaning “to perform an action continually, repeatedly, or habitually.”
The words “approve of” are from the Greek word suneudokeō, a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together,” eu, meaning “good” or “well” and dokeō, meaning “to think.” So we see that suneudokeō means, “to jointly think well with others “or “to take pleasure along with others.”
Meaning Explained
Paul now gives a final word of condemnation concerning those who deny God. He says that those who reject Him are not only filled with all kinds of sinfulness, but they also know better. Paul says they know the righteous judgment of God. That is, they recognize, or realize, that God has already proclaimed something to be true.
And that something is explained in the next phrase, “that those practicing such things are worthy of death. “ These God haters know that those who do the things they are doing (not just occasionally, but repeatedly) are guilty of sins that are worthy of death in God’s mind.
But Paul doesn’t stop there. He says that these people not only do these things themselves, but they take pleasure in others who do the same. So what Paul is telling us is, not only do these people realize what God thinks of the things they are doing habitually (that such sins are worthy of death), but they feel gratified with others who practice such things as well. In other words, they feel camaraderie with other sinners who are doing the same things.
The interesting thing is that when these people are in the presence of someone living a life submitted to God, they don’t feel camaraderie, they feel conviction! They don’t want the light of God shining on their darkness. This is precisely what our Lord said regarding those who reject Him:
This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their works were evil. (John 3:19)
When we witness (either by word or by deed) to those who are sold out to sin, it convicts them and they don’t like it (or us).
Application
Now let me ask you a question, “When you are in the presence of people whom you know are living in defiance of God, do they welcome you, or do they want you to leave?”
Think about it!
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved
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