A Study on Romans Chapter One

A homosexual CAN change:

1Co 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Listed with sins that are part of the unrighteous is “homosexuality” Verse 11 shows us that homosexuals can change. Notice it says such were some of you “past tense” but now ……..

(11) And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

But how does a nation, individuals, even some Christians, get to the point that they accept homosexuality as an acceptable life style? The following study in Romans chapter 1 gives the answer.

This subject needs to be taught in church classes and from the pulpit in detail. If the church does not give our youth a Biblical understanding of this subject then the world will give them its view. They need Biblical knowledge to counter the world view.

Below is a study Romans chapter one presented by Andrew Wommack and he is right on target. 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

As Paul explained in Ro 1:18-20, all people who have ever lived have had God reveal Himself to them, but this verse is explaining that revelation is not always received. Each individual has the freedom of choice.

In Ro 1:21-23, Paul described different characteristics of those who reject God's revelation. These could also be descriptive of progressive steps that one takes away from the true revelation of God.

The first step in rejecting God is not to glorify Him as the supreme, all-knowing, unquestionable God. This was what happened with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They questioned God's intent behind His command (Ge 3:1-6). They ceased to magnify and honor God like they once did. Submission to God as supreme is always humbling, and therefore "self" rebels. This is very prevalent today.

Second, they were not thankful. This is always a sign that self is exalting itself above God. A selfless person can be content with very little. A self-centered person cannot be satisfied. Thankfulness is a sign of humility, and cultivating a life of thankfulness will help keep "self" in its proper place.

After these first two steps have been taken, then the individual's mind is free to begin imagining foolish, wicked, and idolatrous thoughts. This leads to a hardened heart ("foolish heart was darkened,") and being reprobate.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

Ro 1:24: This phrase "God gave them up" is used twice in this passage (here and in Ro 1:26), and the phrase "God gave them over" is used once (Ro 1:28). These phrases are drawing on the fact that there is a God-given, intuitive knowledge inside of all people that would prevent them from committing such depraved acts ( Ro 1:18). However, because of our free choice, God will not continue to force that restraint upon us against our will. If people persist in their rebellion against this conviction of God, He will give those people up to their own hearts' lust.

Therefore, those who are committing some of the terrible acts spoken of here (idolatry, homosexuality, etc.) and say that they have no conviction about it are either lying (Ro 1:18-20) or have been given over to a reprobate mind (Ro 1:28) by God.

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:

Ro 1:26: Ro 1:26-27 is speaking of lesbianism and homosexuality. If anyone could doubt the clear statements of the Old Testament scriptures that this is an abomination to God (Le 18:22, 20:13; and De 23:17-18), then these scriptures should forever settle the question.

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Ro 1:27: This is speaking of the emotional and physical consequences of homosexuality. Paul here said these consequences are "meet." The word that Paul used (Greek - "DEI") is found in 104 verses, but it is only translated "meet" one other time (Lu 15:32). All other times the translation clearly denotes something that is necessary [Strong's Concordance]).

This implies that these consequences (such as disease) are prescribed payment for such acts. Add to this the use of the word "recompense" (meaning payment or compensation for an act) in this same verse, and it clearly looks as if physical and emotional scars are God's judgment upon this sin.

These natural consequences of sin are not necessarily God's direct punishment on the individuals who commit these acts. Those who participate in homosexuality, which is expressly forbidden by God, are bringing punishment on themselves. It's like the law of gravity. Many people are killed when they violate this God-given law, but it is not accurate to say God killed them. They killed themselves. There was no malice on God's part.

Likewise, God established natural laws governing sexual behavior. Marriage was given while man was still in a perfect state (Ge 2:21-24) When people violate God's sexual order, they are destroying themselves just as surely as someone who tries to breathe underwater or walk off a cliff.

This verse is saying that the devastation that many homosexuals experience in their bodies is an appropriate payment for those who have willfully perverted the perfect gift of marriage that God gave to us before the Fall. But this does not mean that God hates all homosexuals and is personally punishing them. If that were so, some of the diseases we see would not be selective. All homosexuals would contract these diseases.

No, these conditions occur naturally when God's perfect order is perverted. God hates homosexuality, but loves the homosexuals. If homosexuals will turn to God and put faith in Jesus as their Savior, they can be saved just the same as anyone else.

And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Ro 1:28: The reason they did not like to retain God in their knowledge is because the knowledge of God would have convicted them and restrained them from committing such acts. This is the same motivation behind the actions of those who oppose Christianity so strongly today. People want to sin without anyone convicting them.

Ro 1:28: The Greek word translated "reprobate" is "ADOKIMOS," and it means undiscerning, not distinguishing, and void of judgment. In this text it may be understood as "an abominable mind, a mind to be abhorred by God and man" ("The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible" by Dr. Spiros Zodhiates).

This is describing the state of a person who has "passed the point of no return" with God. As the context explains, God has revealed Himself to every person who has ever walked the earth. But there comes a point when God's Spirit will not strive with man any longer (Ge 6:3). When that happens, individuals are hopelessly damned because people cannot come to the Father except the Spirit draws them (Joh 6:44 and Ac 24:25).

Therefore, reprobate people are people whom God has abandoned, and there is no hope of salvation for them.

Some people may fear that they are reprobate because of some sin or blasphemy that they have uttered. However, as these verses describe, reprobate people are past feeling remorse or conviction. If people are repentant over some terrible action, then that itself is proof that the Spirit of God is still drawing them and they are not reprobate. Reprobate people wouldn't care.

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Ro 1:29: It is very interesting to see some of the things included in this list of abominations that many people would not consider sin, or certainly not a "bad" sin like others on the list. For instance, the word "debate" means "a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling" (Strong's Concordance). Some people think quarreling is perfectly okay, but Paul lists it right along with murder and sexual sins.

The word "whisperers" means "a secret calumniator" (Strong's Concordance). A calumniator is a slanderer or maligner. A "backbiter" is someone who slanders the character or reputation of another when that person is not present. Pride is listed among these sins that are an abomination to God, as well as being disobedient to parents. A "covenant breaker" is a person who cannot be trusted to keep his or her word.

The truth is that there are no little sins or acceptable sins. All unrighteousness is sin (1Jo 5:17) and should be rejected.

Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

(Ro 1:31: Although this phrase "without natural affection" has been interpreted by many to mean homosexual acts, the Greek word suggests something different. The Greek word used is "ASTORGOS," and it literally means "hard-hearted towards kindred" (Strong's Concordance). This describes someone who is unloving and without the natural tenderness that a mother would

express toward a child. Therefore, Paul was describing a hardhearted person who is void of love and tenderness.

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Ro 1:32: When God turns individuals over (Ro 1:24) to a reprobate mind (Ro 1:28), those people do not lose their knowledge of what's right and wrong; they just lose God's conviction about it. They still know they are wrong, but they don't care.