Paul reiterates that the people who practice such things still know right from wrong. Even though they know the actions they engage in are sinful, they applaud the behavior in others.
It is interesting that Paul ends his list of behaviors that characterize someone who has lost their naturally endowed God-centered moral base and had it replaced with a self-centered base (1:30) by repeating a key point he made initially: that everyone knows what is right and wrong (1:18-21). Even someone God has turned over to a debased mind still knows. But rather than struggle with that knowledge, they are now in all-out warfare against it. When we are in a position of living in sin and seeking to justify ourselves before others, one way we do that is to applaud others who are following the same path of destruction as us. A corollary to this is having anger at anyone who shines the light of truth on our sinful behavior. Our debased mind will seek to destroy those who bring us the truth (1:29-30).
Biblical Text
32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
Check out our other commentaries:
-
Isaiah 25:6-9 meaning
Isaiah prophesies about a lavish banquet that the LORD of Hosts will prepare to celebrate His victories over the kingdoms of the earth. This Messianic...... -
Acts 5:12-16 meaning
The apostles continue to heal the Jewish people in the walkway of the temple, preaching that Jesus is the Christ. Crowds gather, even from the...... -
Acts 4:5-12 meaning
The religious leaders assemble to judge Peter and John. This is the same council that condemned Jesus to death. The leaders ask the apostles how...... -
Matthew 13:24-30 meaning
Matthew records Jesus’ second parable concerning the kingdom of heaven. He compares it to a man who sows good wheat in his field, but later...... -
2 Timothy 1:1-2 meaning
Paul writes to Timothy, his son in the faith, with many exhortations and warnings. He thanks God for Timothy and expresses how much he misses......