Romans 1:27 is part of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. It discusses the behavior of individuals who have turned away from God and engaged in what Paul describes as unnatural relations. The verse reads in the original Greek:
Romans 1:27 (Greek):
«καὶ οὕτως καὶ ἄρσενες ἀφ’ ὧν ἐξεσπαῖραν τὴν φύσιν αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ ἐκείνῃ ἐπιθυμίᾳ, ἐργαζόμενοι ἀσχημοσύνην ἐν ἑαυτοῖς καὶ ἀπολαμβάνοντες τὴν ἀντικείμενην ἀπ’ ἑαυτῶν.»
Breakdown of Key Terms:
καὶ οὕτως (kai houtōs): "And likewise" — This indicates a continuation of thought from previous verses, where Paul discusses the consequences of turning away from God.
ἄρσενες (arsenes): "males" or "men" — This term specifically refers to male individuals.
ἀφ’ ὧν (aph’ hōn): "from whom" — This phrase implies a reference to the individuals engaging in these actions.
ἐξεσπαῖραν (exespairan): Meaning "have given up" or "have been consumed" — This verb is in the perfect tense, suggesting a completed action with ongoing results.
τὴν φύσιν (tēn phusīn): "the nature" — This refers to the natural order or inherent characteristics of humanity as created by God.
ἐν τῇ ἐκείνῃ ἐπιθυμίᾳ (en tēi ekeinēi epithymiai): "in their lusts" — This suggests a strong craving or desire, often with a connotation of excess or inappropriateness.
ἐργαζόμενοι ἀσχημοσύνην (ergazomenoi aschēmousynēn): "doing shameless acts" or "performing indecent acts" — The term "ἀσχημοσύνην" can refer to actions that are considered disgraceful or outside the bounds of social norms.
ἐν ἑαυτοῖς (en heautois): "among themselves" or "within themselves" — This phrase signifies that these actions are not just external but also reflect an internal moral and ethical decline.
- ἀπολαμβάνοντες τὴν ἀντικείμενην ἀπ’ ἑαυτῶν (apolambanontes tēn antikeimenēn ap’ heautōn): "receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error" — The term "ἀντικείμενην" implies something that is corresponding or fitting, which here can refer to the consequences of their actions.
Context and Interpretation:
In Romans 1, Paul writes about the consequences of human sinfulness, particularly idolatry and the abandonment of God’s truth. Romans 1:27 speaks specifically about homosexual acts as part of a broader discussion of moral degradation among those who turn away from God. This passage has been the subject of much theological debate and is often cited in discussions regarding sexuality.
Theological Implications:
Nature and Ethics: Paul emphasizes a standard of behavior rooted in God’s created order, suggesting that deviations from this standard (in this case, same-sex relations) stem from a turning away from God.
Consequences of Sin: The idea that those who engage in such behavior face consequences is a recurrent theme in Paul’s writings, emphasizing the natural repercussions of moral choices.
- Community and Identity: The reference to actions "among themselves" suggests both communal and personal moral failings, which can reflect on societal norms and identity.
Conclusion:
The original Greek terms and their meanings in Romans 1:27 reflect Paul’s condemnation of specific actions he viewed as contrary to God’s design and intention for human relationships. Understanding the verse requires considering its linguistic, cultural, and theological context, as well as recognizing the ongoing debates among scholars and religious communities regarding its interpretation and application today.