Romans 1:24
New International Version
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

New Living Translation
So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.

English Standard Version
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore God gave them up in the desires of their hearts to impurity to dishonor their bodies between themselves,

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

New King James Version
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

New American Standard Bible
Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

NASB 1995
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

NASB 1977
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

Amplified Bible
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves.

American Standard Version
Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:

Contemporary English Version
So God let these people go their own way. They did what they wanted to do, and their filthy thoughts made them do shameful things with their bodies.

English Revised Version
Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonoured among themselves:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
For this reason God allowed their lusts to control them. As a result, they dishonor their bodies by sexual perversion with each other.

Good News Translation
And so God has given those people over to do the filthy things their hearts desire, and they do shameful things with each other.

International Standard Version
For this reason, God delivered them to sexual impurity as they followed the lusts of their hearts and dishonored their bodies with one another.

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.

NET Bible
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore God also abandoned them in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves,

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

Weymouth New Testament
For this reason, in accordance with their own depraved cravings, God gave them up to uncleanness, allowing them to dishonour their bodies among themselves with impurity.

World English Bible
Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For this reason also God gave them up, in the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, to dishonor their bodies among themselves;

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore God gave them up in the desires of their hearts to impurity to dishonor their bodies between themselves,

Young's Literal Translation
Wherefore also God did give them up, in the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies among themselves;

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore God delivered them in the eager desire of their hearts to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies in themselves:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore God gave them up to the desires of their heart, unto uncleanness, to dishonour their own bodies among themselves.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, God handed them over to the desires of their own heart for impurity, so that they afflicted their own bodies with indignities among themselves.

New American Bible
Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That is why God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because of this, God handed them over to the vile desires of their heart to disgrace their bodies among themselves.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For which reason God delivered them up, in the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, that they might dishonor their bodies among themselves;

Godbey New Testament
Therefore God gave them up, in the lusts of their hearts, to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves:

Haweis New Testament
Wherefore God abandoned them, through the lusts of their own hearts, unto impurity, to dishonour their own bodies by themselves:

Mace New Testament
wherefore God abandon'd them to the impure passions of their own hearts, so that they themselves dishonour'd their own bodies;

Weymouth New Testament
For this reason, in accordance with their own depraved cravings, God gave them up to uncleanness, allowing them to dishonour their bodies among themselves with impurity.

Worrell New Testament
Wherefore, God gave them up in the desires of their hearts unto the uncleanness of dishonoring their bodies among themselves;

Worsley New Testament
Wherefore God also gave them up to impurity, in the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies among themselves;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Wrath against Sin
23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.…

Cross References
Ephesians 4:19
Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-5
each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Galatians 5:19
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

2 Corinthians 12:21
I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.

1 Peter 4:3
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Genesis 6:5
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.

Genesis 19:5
They called out to Lot, saying, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have relations with them!”

Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.


Treasury of Scripture

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

God.

Psalm 81:11,12
But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me…

Hosea 4:17,18
Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone…

Matthew 15:14
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

through the lusts.

Romans 6:12
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

to dishonour.

1 Corinthians 6:13,18
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body…

1 Thessalonians 4:4
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

2 Timothy 2:20-22
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour…

between.

Romans 1:27
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 recompence of their error which was meet.

Leviticus 18:22
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

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Romans 1
1. Paul commends his calling to the Romans;
9. and his desire to come to them.
16. What his gospel is.
18. God is angry with sin.
21. What were the sins of mankind.














Therefore God gave them over
The phrase "God gave them over" is a powerful expression of divine judgment. In the Greek, "παρέδωκεν" (paredōken) implies a judicial act of handing over or delivering up. This is not merely a passive allowance but an active decision by God to let humanity pursue its sinful desires. Historically, this reflects the biblical principle that God respects human free will, allowing individuals to choose their paths, even when those paths lead away from Him. This handing over is a consequence of persistent rebellion and rejection of God's truth.

in the desires of their hearts
The "desires" here, from the Greek "ἐπιθυμίαις" (epithymiais), refers to strong cravings or lusts. The heart, "καρδία" (kardia), in biblical terms, is the center of human will and emotion. This phrase indicates that the root of impurity begins internally, within the human heart. Theologically, it underscores the doctrine of original sin, where the human heart is naturally inclined towards sin without divine intervention. This internal corruption leads to external actions that are contrary to God's will.

to impurity
The term "impurity," from the Greek "ἀκαθαρσία" (akatharsia), denotes moral uncleanness or corruption. In the context of the Roman world, this impurity often manifested in sexual immorality, which was rampant in the culture. Theologically, impurity is the antithesis of the holiness God desires for His people. It represents a state of being that is incompatible with the presence of a holy God, highlighting the need for redemption and sanctification through Christ.

for the dishonoring of their bodies
"Dishonoring," from the Greek "ἀτιμάζεσθαι" (atimazesthai), means to treat with contempt or disrespect. The body, "σώματα" (sōmata), is viewed in Scripture as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). This phrase suggests a misuse of the body, which is meant to glorify God. Historically, the Greco-Roman culture often engaged in practices that dishonored the body, such as temple prostitution and other forms of sexual immorality. This dishonoring is a direct result of turning away from God's design and purpose for human sexuality.

with one another
This phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of sin. Sin is not only personal but also relational, affecting others and society at large. In the Greek, "ἐν ἑαυτοῖς" (en heautois) suggests mutual participation in acts that lead to impurity. This communal sin reflects the broader societal decay when God's truth is rejected. It serves as a warning of the consequences of collective rebellion against divine order, leading to societal breakdown and moral chaos.

(24-32) Hence they fell into a still lower depth; for, in anger at their perversion of the truth, God refrained from checking their downward course. He left them to follow their own evil bent. Their idolatry developed into shameless immorality and unnatural crimes. At last the extreme limit was reached. As they voluntarily forsook God, so He forsook them. They ran through the whole catalogue of sins, and the cup of their iniquity was full.

In the passage taken as a whole, three steps or stages are indicated: (1) Romans 1:18-23, idolatry; (2) Romans 1:24-27, unnatural sins allowed by God as the punishment for this idolatry; (3) Romans 1:28-32, a still more complete and radical depravity also regarded as penally inflicted. The first step is taken by the free choice of man, but as the breach gradually widens, the wrath of God is more and more revealed. He interferes less and less to save a sinful world from its fate. It is to be noted that the Apostle speaks in general terms, and the precise proportions of human depravity and of divine judicial impulse are not to be clearly determined.

Verse 24. - Wherefore God (καὶ, here in the Textus Receptus, is ill supported) gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, to dishonour their own bodies between (rather, among) themselves. So τοῦ ἀτιμάζεσθαι, etc., is rendered in the Authorized Version. The verb, however, is probably passive, a middle use of it not being elsewhere found. In either ease the general meaning is the same. The genitive, τοῦ ἀτιμάζεσθαι, seems most naturally taken as denoting what the ἀκαθαρσία consisted in, rather than either the purpose or the results of their being given over to it (cf. ver. 26, where παρέδωκεν εἰς πάθη ἀτιμίας is followed by a description of what these were). Here is noticed a further stage of judicial degradation; the ματιαότης of idolatry, itself judicial, had its further judicial consequence in the ἀκαθαρσία of abominable sensuality. Similarly, in Ephesians 4, the ἐργασία ἀκαθαρσίας πάσης ἐν πλεονεξιᾳ, prevalent among the nations, is traced to their ματαιότης, in that they had become "alienated from the life of God." It is notorious that idolatrous worship was not uncommonly accompanied by debauchery; notably that of the Phoenician Astarte, and of Aphrodite and Dionysus (see Livy, 39:8, for an account of the Dionysus at one time in Rome; and Athen., 13. pp. 574, 579, and 14. p. 659, for the Aphrodisia at Athens and Corinth); cf. Numbers 25, etc., "The people joined themselves unto Baal-peor," and the allusion to it, 1 Corinthians 10:8. On that occasion no more is intimated than promiscuous intercourse between the two sexes, sinking men in that regard to the level of the brutes; but still worse "uncleanness" is in the apostle's view, such as sinks them even below that level; and how common such unnatural vices had become, and how lightly thought of, no one conversant with classical literature needs to be reminded.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Therefore
Διὸ (Dio)
Conjunction
Strong's 1352: Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

gave them over
παρέδωκεν (paredōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3860: From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

desires
ἐπιθυμίαις (epithymiais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

hearts
καρδιῶν (kardiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

impurity
ἀκαθαρσίαν (akatharsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 167: Uncleanness, impurity. From akathartos; impurity, physically or morally.

for the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

dishonoring
ἀτιμάζεσθαι (atimazesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 818: To disgrace, treat disgracefully, dishonor, insult; I despise. From atimos; to render infamous, i.e. contemn or maltreat.

of their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

bodies
σώματα (sōmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[one another].
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Letters: Romans 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up (Rom. Ro)
Romans 1:23
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