Romans: God Gave Them Over

Romans 1:24-32

God reveals himself to humanity through his creation. The Bible states that the heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 19:1). He has also set eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11). We are made in God’s image, with a moral awareness, and we know that there is something beyond this life. Deep in our souls, we know God exists.  

Everyone stands without excuse. Still, many reject God and suppress the truth of his existence.

How does God respond? That’s the focus of today’s passage—Romans 1:24-32.

Delivered over to sexual impurity (Rom. 1:24-25)

Romans 1:24-25
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 

Those who reject God and suppress the truth have an idol factory in their hearts that serves “the creature rather than the Creator.” They take the truth that God has revealed through creation and trade it in for a lie. In Greek, this is literally “the lie.” It’s the lie from Satan that insists the creature can exist independent of the Creator. This is the lie that Satan has been propagating since he met Adam and Eve in the garden (Gen. 3:4-5; Isa. 14:13-14). Jesus says that Satan is a “liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44), so we should expect nothing less from him. 

Because humanity believed the lie, God “gave them up.” This translates the Greek word paradidomi, which means to “hand over” or “deliver.” It carries the idea of being abandoned and is repeated in Romans 1:26 and 1:28. In essence, God said, “Fine, have your own way” (cf. Ps. 81:12; Hosea 4:17; Acts 7:42). God abandoned those who bought the lie to follow “the lusts of their hearts.” They dishonored their bodies by chasing after sexual impurity. 

I recently watched a documentary about the Dallas Cowboys. For a period, the players had access to a house near their practice facilities, which was known for drug activity and illicit sex. It was a house of impurity. When the coach, Barry Switzer, was asked why he allowed them to have such a place, he responded that they were grown men and could do what they wanted. He essentially handed them over to their tendency to sin. Think of the lives and marriages that were ruined as these men were given the keys to debauchery. Sin always has consequences. 

Paul continues to reveal that God not only handed them over to sexual impurity but also to sexual perversion. 

Delivered over to sexual perversion (Rom. 1:26-27)

Romans 1:26-27
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 

This passage clearly speaks to the sin of homosexuality. This is an example of life apart from God’s will in creation (Gen. 1:27-28).  The only natural sexual relationship is between a man and a woman committed to each other through the covenant of marriage (Gen. 2:21-24; Matt. 19:4-6).

Bible scholar Bob Utley holds that homosexuality is listed here as an example of sin because of the context of Genesis 1-3, which focuses on the Creator and his creation. Humanity was created in God’s image (cf. Gen. 1:26–27; 5:1-3; 9:6). Man was made male and female (cf. Gen. 1:27). God’s command was to be fruitful and multiply (cf. Gen. 1:28; 9:1, 7). The fall described in Genesis 3 disrupted God’s plan and will.^[1]

Homosexuality was an issue in the Old Testament (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Deut. 23:17-18), in the ancient Roman world (1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10), and remains a concern today.

Evidence that God has handed over people to homosexuality is seen in its acceptance by our culture. Even many in the church avoid addressing this sin under the guise of acceptance and compassion. Indeed, every person is made in God’s image and should be respected as God’s creation. However, accepting the person does not mean accepting that person’s sin. Paul makes it clear that same-sex relationships are “contrary to nature” and “shameless acts.” He also emphasizes that sin leads to punishment (Gal. 6:7). 

I have dealt with this subject on the Living Grounded Podcast. Be sure to check out episodes 10 and 85 on your favorite podcast platform.

For those who insisted that Satan’s lie was the way to live, God gave them over to impurity, perversion, and a depraved lifestyle.

Delivered over to a depraved lifestyle (Rom. 1:28-32)

Romans 1:28-32
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. 

In Greek, Romans 1:28-31 is one long sentence. In these verses, Paul provides what is called by Bible scholars a “vice list,” that is, a list of sins.[2] Paul introduced this list by saying that God delivered those who bought Satan’s lie “to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” 

The list of sins shows the consequences of lives without God. It describes people who choose to live apart from God and the sins of a society that has turned away from the Creator. 

It’s a dangerous position when God allows us to follow our sinful desires. Separation from God results in hell on earth and for eternity. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 1:24-32. Consider the consequences when God gives us over to do what we want to do.

Talking to God: Reflect on areas where you might be living as if God isn't necessary or central—especially in decisions, relationships, or moral boundaries.

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