Romans 1 · Verse 28

Romans 1:28

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;
Romans 1:28, King James Version

Romans 1:28 in other translations

BSBFurthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
WEBEven as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
ASVAnd even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
YLTAnd, according as they did not approve of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly;
DARBYAnd according as they did not think good to have God in their knowledge,God gave them up to a reprobate mind to practise unseemly things;
BBEAnd because they had not the mind to keep God in their knowledge, God gave them up to an evil mind, to do those things which are not right;
WebsterAnd 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;

What does Romans 1:28 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 1:28-31
28-31. gave them over--or "up" (see on Ro 1:24). to do those things which are not convenient--in the old sense of that word, that is, "not becoming," "indecorous," "shameful."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 28. And even as they did not like, etc. This was the true source of their crimes. They did not choose to acknowledge God. It was not because they could not, but because they were displeased with God, and chose to forsake him, and follow their own passions and lusts.

To retain God, etc. To think of him, or to serve and adore him. This was the first step in their sin. It was not that God compelled them; or that he did not give them knowledge; nor even is it said that he arbitrarily abandoned them as the first step; but they forsook him, and as a consequence he gave them up to a reprobate mind.

To a reprobate mind. A mind destitute of judgment. In the Greek the same word is used here which, in another form, occurs in the previous part of the verse, and which is translated "like." The apostle meant, doubtless, to retain a reference to that in this place. "As they did not approve, εδοκιμασαν or choose to retain God, etc., he gave them up to a mind disapproved, rejected, reprobate," αδοκιμον; and he means, that the state of their minds was such that God could not approve it. It does not mean that they were reprobate by any arbitrary decree; but that, as a consequence of their headstrong passions, their determination to forget him, he left them to a state of mind which was evil, and which he could not approve.

Which are not convenient. Which are not fit or proper; which are disgraceful and shameful; to wit, those things which he proceeds to state in the remainder of the chapter.

(1) "like" or, "to acknowledge" (2) "reprobate mind" or, "a mind void of judgement"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 28 They did not like to retain God - It would, perhaps, be more literal to translate ουκ εδοκιμασαν, They Did Not Search to retain God in their knowledge. They did not examine the evidences before them (Rom 1:19, Rom 1:20) of his being and attributes; therefore God gave them over to a Reprobate mind, εις αδοκιμον νουν, to an Unsearching or undiscerning mind; for it is the same word in both places. They did not reflect on the proofs they had of the Divine nature, and God abandoned them to the operations of a mind incapable of reflection. How men of such powers and learning, as many of the Greek and Roman philosophers and poets really were, could reason so inconsecutively concerning things moral and Divine is truly astonishing. But here we see the hand of a just and avenging God; they abused their powers, and God deprived them of the right use of these powers.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 1:26-32

In the horrid depravity of the heathen, the truth of our Lord's words was shown: "Light was come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil; for he that doeth evil hateth the light." The truth was not to their taste. And we all know how soon a man will contrive, against the strongest evidence, to reason himself out of the belief of what he dislikes. But a man cannot be…

Read the full comment on Romans 1:26-32 →

Romans 1:28 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαὶKaiAndG2532
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
οὐκouknotG3756
ἐδοκίμασανedokimasanthey did see fitG1381
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεὸνtheonGodG2316
ἔχεινecheinto haveG2192
ἐνenin [their]G1722
ἐπιγνώσει,epignōseiknowledge,G1922
παρέδωκενparedōkengave upG3860
αὐτοὺςautousthemG846
ὁho<the>G3588
θεὸςtheosGodG2316
εἰςeistoG1519
ἀδόκιμονadokimona depravedG96
νοῦνnounmindG3563
ποιεῖνpoieinto doG4160
τὰtathe [things]G3588
μὴmēnotG3361
καθήκοντα,kathēkontabeing proper,G2520

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 1:28

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

    And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

  • Romans 1:21

    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.

  • Titus 1:16

    They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

  • Jeremiah 9:6

    Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.

  • Romans 1:24

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

  • 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.

  • 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. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

  • Proverbs 5:12-13

    And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

  • Job 21:14-15

    Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

  • Jeremiah 4:22

    For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 6:30

    Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them.

  • Hosea 4:6

    My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
as they did.
18,21; Job 21:14,15; Pr 1:7,22,29; 5:12,13; 17:16; Jer 4:22; 9:6
Ho 4:6; Ac 17:23,32; Ro 8:7,8; 1Co 15:34; 2Co 4:4-6; 10:5
2Th 1:8; 2:10-12; 2Pe 3:5
retain. or, acknowledge. a reprobate mind. or, a mind voidof judgment.
Jer 6:30; 2Co 13:5-7; 2Ti 3:8; Tit 1:16
not convenient.
Eph 5:4; Phm 1:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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.

  • Romans 1:28

    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;

  • Romans 1:29

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

Read all of Romans 1

Romans 1:28 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y como á ellos no les pareció tener á Dios en su noticia, Dios los entregó á una mente depravada, para hacer lo que no conviene,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et comme ils n’ont pas eu de sens moral pour garder la connaissance de Dieu, Dieu les a livrés à un esprit réprouvé, pour pratiquer des choses qui ne conviennent pas,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und gleichwie sie es nicht für gut fanden, Gott in Erkenntnis zu haben, hat Gott sie dahingegeben in einen verworfenen Sinn, zu tun, was sich nicht geziemt;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et sicut non probaverunt Deum habere in notitia, tradidit illos Deus in reprobum sensum, ut faciant ea quæ non conveniunt,