Some Key Words (6/6/00-6/7/00)

Lusts (epithumia [1939]):

in the mind, to desire, long after - in a good sense, or in a bad sense, as coveting; desire, craving, desire for what is forbidden; a longing, especially for what is forbidden

Impurity (akatharsia [167]):

not cleansed, filth, moral uncleanness, lewdness, incontinence, unnatural pollution; physical uncleanness, moral impurity; physical or moral impurity

Dishonored (atimazo [818]):

to insult, treat with contempt; to render infamous, maltreat

Truth (aletheia [225]):

the unveiled reality, the essence of matter, reality clearly before us, truth; what is true in a given matter, the reality of fact, religious truth, Christian truth; truth

Lie (pseudos [5579]):

a lie, an intentional falsehood, whatever is not what it seems to be, perverse, deceitful precepts; a falsehood

Worshiped (sebazomai [4573]):

to worship religiously, as in a cult, the acts of worship, to venerate; to fear, be afraid, to honor religiously, to worship; to venerate, adore; Vine's: of the four or five words used to describe worship, this one emphasizes the awe and devotion in the honor, where other words might focus on the actions, service, and piety

Served (latreuo [3000]):

to serve, to worship, the Levitical services, to serve without compulsion; to serve for hire, to minister, worship, perform sacred services, to discharge the sacred office; to minister, render religious homage; Vine's: it's worth noting that this is another word often translated as "worship", this one emphasizing the service, where the previous one emphasized the awe

Degrading (atimia [819]):

dishonor, ignominy, disgrace; infamy, indignity

Passions (pathos [3806]):

passion, lusts, the soul's diseased condition from which come lusts; whatever befalls one, a feeling which the mind suffers, an emotion, a passionate deed - either good or bad in Greek, a depraved passion; suffering, a passion

Due (dei [1163]):

necessary in the nature of things, obliged to - morally or by personal obligation, an unavoidable, urgent necessity

Penalty (antimisthia [489]):

a reward given in compensation, a requital; correspondence, recompense

Acknowledge (epignosis [1922]):

clear and exact knowledge, a thorough participation in the object of knowledge, knowledge with a powerful effect on religious life, knowledge exerting an influence, knowledge which is regulated according to something; precise and correct knowledge of things ethical and divine; recognition, full discernment

Gave over (paradidomi [3860]):

to give into the hands of another, to give over into one's power, to deliver to someone to keep, use, take care of, or manage, to deliver up to custody for judgement, condemnation, punishment, or death, to betray, to commit, to deliver verbally by command, rite, narration, or report, to permit or allow; to surrender, yield up, entrust, transmit

Filled (pleroo [4137]):

to fill - as a net with fish, or a house with the smell of perfume, to fill up - as a valley, or measure, to fulfill, complete, to perfect, finish, end, accomplish, perform fully, to explain fully; to make full, cause to abound, supply liberally, to complete - so that nothing is left wanting, to consummate, make complete in every particular, render perfect, carry through to the end, carry out, bring to realization, execute a duty, bring to pass; to make replete, cram, level up, furnish, satisfy, execute an office, finish a task, verify a prediction

Know (epiginosko [1921]):

to know thoroughly, accurately, and well, to recognize by sight or hearing, to perceive, find out, ascertain, understand; to recognize, become fully acquainted with, acknowledge

Ordinance (dikaioma [1345]):

the result of being justified by God, the rights one has before God as His child, legal rights; what is deemed right with the force of law, established and ordained by law, a judicial decision, a sentence by God - either a favorable acquittal or an unfavorable condemnation, a righteous act or deed; an equitable deed, a statute or decision

Practice (prasso [4238]):

to make, perform, do good, do evil, bad practice or behavior; to exercise, be busy with, carry on, do, to accomplish, perform, perpetrate, to manage public affairs, to act; perform repeatedly or habitually, to accomplish or execute

Worthy (axios [514]):

having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much, befitting, congruous, corresponding to, one who has merited anything worthy of either good or bad consequence; deserving, comparable, suitable

Approval (suneudokeo [4909]):

to be pleased together with, to approve together, to consent, to agree to, to applaud

 

Paraphrase: (6/6/00)

24 Because they have rejected His evidence, God has allowed them to go their own way, resulting in their very bodies being dishonored. 25 Because they chose to follow the Lie instead of the Truth, to serve the creature rather than the blessed eternal Creator, it has been so done to them. And we concur with the judgement. 26 God has allowed them to degrade each other in passion, because women have chosen to join with women, perverting the natural sexual function, 27 and men, too, have chosen to join with men, in perversion of God's order. Such acts have brought appropriate penalty on the very bodies of those who do such things. 28 So, since they chose not to recognize God, God has chosen not to recognize them, releasing them to their misguided minds and the depravity of their sins. 29 For in all they do they fail of God's commands: full of greed and wickedness, and every type of evil. They are envious, murderous, argumentative, deceitful, and vicious. They gossip, 30 give false witness, hate God. They are insolent, arrogant, and boastful in their pride, inventing new evils, and ignoring the rules even of their parents. 31 They have no understanding, they cannot be trusted. They have no love, no mercy. 32 And even though they have been taught of God's Law - knowing that the penalty for their acts is death, they continue to do so, and even encourage others to do the same by their approval.

Key Verse: (6/6/00)

1:26 - The whole problem is that they have misplaced their trust: chosen to lie to themselves rather than acknowledge the One true God. We all worship something, whether we realize it or not.

People Mentioned: (6/6/00)

Text

Some Parallel Verses (6/6/00)

1:24

Eph 4:19 - The Gentiles have given themselves over to sensuality, and practice all sorts of impurity. Eph 2:3 - We also used to indulge our lusts and degrade ourselves.

1:25

Is 44:20 - The idolater cannot even see his own deception, cannot deliver himself, or recognize the lie he clings to. Jer 10:14 - Both idolater and idol-maker are foolish, being deceived by the lie of their idols. Jer 13:25 - God's judgement comes on those who have forgotten His truth to trust in a lie. Jer 16:19 - Eventually, all the nations will realize the lie they have inherited, and turn to God. Ro 9:5 - God's blessing on Israel is forever. 2Co 11:31 - God is eternally blessed, and acts as Paul's witness.

1:26

1Th 4:5 - We have learned not to indulge our lustful passions.

1:27

Lev 18:22 - Homosexual intercourse is unlawful, Lev 20:13 - and the penalty for it is death. 1Co 6:9 - Neither homosexuals, idolaters, nor those who practice other sexual immoralities will enter God's kingdom.

1:28
1:29

2Co 12:20 - Paul is concerned that he might find the Corinthians indulging in jealousy, anger, dispute, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disturbances.

1:30

Ps 5:5 - Boasters will not stand before Him. 2Ti 3:2 - In the last days men will be self-centered, greedy, boastful, arrogant, unmindful of parents, ungrateful, and unholy.

1:31

2Ti 3:3 - as well as unloving, unwilling to be reconciled, gossips, lacking self-control, brutal, despising those that do good.

1:32

Ro 6:21 - The outcome of the sinful things we used to do is death. Lk 11:48 - In honoring their fathers, the Jews showed their approval for their fathers' acts in murdering the prophets. Ac 8:1 - Saul agreed to the stoning of Stephen, Ac 22:20 - which he admitted to after his conversion.

 

New Thoughts (6/8/00)

God, how can I stand before You in the face of such lists? I too have my greedy moments, my moments of envy. And while I've never murdered anybody, my anger is so dangerously close to the surface. Strife? Yeah, I'm there. Deceit? Well, I feel like I've left that behind, but you never know. Arrogant, insolent, boastful? Sure. Unloving, and unmerciful? Too often. And if that's not enough, we can go to the other list: self-centered, ungrateful, lacking self-control, brutal. God, I don't like how well these describe me. You've shown me once again in last night's actions just how much I still need Your grace to work in me. Lord, many times I've told You that I'm willing to have You do what You must. I meant it then, and I still do. I find myself wishing I could remember that more readily while You're doing it, though. Lord, forgive me for failing so badly last night. Help me to remember where my priorities are. Don't let me make an idol of worship, and claim that I'm worshiping You. I want to worship You in truth. To live like I believe in You. But it's so hard, so hard. Only by Your grace, oh God. Fill me even now. Help me to make progress towards Your goal. Help me to remember my priorities. God, once and for all break this pride. Burn away the arrogance. Fill me with the love that You are.