Even as

Expressing the correlation between the sin and the punishment.

They did not like to have God in their knowledge (οὐκ ἐδοκίμασαν).

Lit., did not approve. Rev., refused. They did not think God worth the knowing. Compare 1 Thessalonians 2:4. Knowledge (ἐπιγνώσει) is, literally, full knowledge. They did not suffer the rudimentary revelation of nature to develop into full knowledge - "a penetrating and living knowledge of God" (Meyer). In Dante's division of Hell, the section assigned to Incontinence, or want of self-control, is succeeded by that of Bestiality, or besotted folly, which comprises infidelity and heresy in all their forms - sin which Dante declares to be the most stupid, vile, and hurtful of follies. Thus the want of self-restraint is linked with the failure to have God in knowledge. Self is truly possessed only in God. The tendency of this is ever downward toward that demoniac animalism which is incarnated in Lucifer at the apex of the infernal cone, and which is so powerfully depicted in this chapter. See "Inferno," ix.

Reprobate mind (ἀδόκιμον νοῦν)

Lit., not standing the test. See on is tried, James 1:12; and see on trial, 1 Peter 1:7. There is a play upon the words. As they did not approve, God gave them up unto a mind disapproved. This form of play upon words of similar sound is perhaps the most frequent of Paul's rhetorical figures, often consisting in the change of preposition in a compound, or in the addition of a preposition to the simple verb. Thus περιτομή circumcision, κατατομή concision, Philippians 3:2, Philippians 3:3. "Our epistle known (γινωσκομένη) and read (ἀναγινωσκομένη)." Compare Romans 2:1; 1 Corinthians 11:29-31; Romans 12:3. The word reprobate is from re-probare, to reject on a second trial, hence, to condemn.

Romans 1:28 Parallel Commentaries

as they did.

Romans 1:18,21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness...

Job 21:14,15 Therefore they say to God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your ways...

Proverbs 1:7,22,29 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction...

Proverbs 5:12,13 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof...

Proverbs 17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?

Jeremiah 4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are silly children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil...

Jeremiah 9:6 Your habitation is in the middle of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, said the LORD.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you...

Acts 17:23,32 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD...

Romans 8:7,8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be...

1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ...

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God...

2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all delusion of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth...

2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old...

retain. or, acknowledge. a reprobate mind. or, a mind void of judgment.

Jeremiah 6:30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD has rejected them.

2 Corinthians 13:5-7 Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you...

2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.

not convenient.

Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Philemon 1:8 Why, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient,