Morning Message: Check for Motes

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Check for Motes"
Written by - Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The message from last week continues, and becomes more personal, more intuitive in its approach to interpersonal behaviors. As Paul continues to address the Romans, we find his Epistle having much in common with the Gospel of Matthew.  And of course, Matthew the Apostle was of the tribe of Levites, and addresses his Gospel to the circumcision in particular, and Paul grasps its universal application.

Romans 2 has much in common with Matthew 7, as we shall see. From last week’s message, one cross reference from Numbers 23 stands out: “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or, how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?”

Do we view things from God’s point of view, or do we see things only from our personal perspective. God’s grace (unmerited favor) is bestowed upon His own seemingly without measure. If we are too worldly minded, then this is a maddening situation! It might seem like God follows critical race theory, except we know He judges everyone according to His Word. Our problem is our own human hearts, as wicked as they are, according to Jeremiah 17:9,10.

God is much more gracious, much more forgiving, and much more loving than we are, even to His enemies. It begs the question, do we want to be more Christ-like? Then we must adopt the mind of Christ, and let it displace our limited and selfish minds. Issues will never be about us; they will always be about Jesus.

“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.” - Matthew 5:44

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Romans 2:17-29 - "Check for Motes"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Our text for today is Romans 2:17-29. The main theme of Romans is “the righteousness of God” and how that righteousness becomes ours through faith in Christ. This is the most vital message in the world because it results in eternal life for those who believe it and eternal damnation for those who don’t.

In this New Testament letter, Paul systematically explains the gospel – the good news of how God rescues sinners and reconciles them to himself through Jesus Christ his Son. So, if you’re not a Christian, this message is for you. Believe it, and God will forgive your sin, change you from the inside out, and grant you the gift of eternal life. If you already are a Christian, this message is for you too. Even as believers, we need to keep going back to the gospel – remembering it, reviewing it, diving more deeply into it.

So, the message of Romans is for all of us!  All of us!  As we read the second half of chapter two, keep in mind the context. Paul has already declared in chapter one, verses 16 and 17, that God’s righteousness is revealed through the gospel. How? By the power of God as he makes sinners right with him through faith in Christ. That’s the good news. But after declaring the good news, Paul delivers the bad news. The bad news is that our sin made the gospel necessary. Just as the gospel reveals the righteousness of God, so our sin reveals the wrath of God. God’s wrath stems from his righteousness. It is God’s intense hatred toward all sin. Though the ultimate outpouring of God’s wrath will occur at the Final Judgment, even now God reveals his wrath to some degree by handing people over to their sins and allowing them to suffer the consequences of their rejection of Him. In Romans 1, Paul describes the awfulness of human depravity in the 3rd person: “they.” But in chapter two, Paul shifts to the 2nd person and confronts those who are quick to condemn other people for their sins while failing to acknowledge their own.

Specifically, Paul addresses the self-righteous Jew who thinks he’ll get a pass on Judgment Day because of the privileges God has given him. But Paul shows that this is not the case at all if these privileges are not accompanied by obedience from the heart.

That’s the primary point Paul makes in the second half of Romans chapter two.  Paul begins by exposing the conceit and hypocrisy of the self-righteous person, then Paul explains the nature of true conversion, which is heart surgery by the Holy Spirit.

In Romans 2, Paul removes the mask of moralism to expose the conceit of the self-righteous. Privilege leads to pride when we see our blessings as a tribute to our goodness rather than God’s grace. Such was the case with the self-righteous Jew that Paul confronts in Romans 2:17-24. Paul begins by listing their privileges, which led to a certain perception on the part of the Jews, that was inconsistent with their practice.

However, despite their privileges – which Paul does not deny – and their perception of themselves in light of these privileges, Paul confronts them head-on for their hypocrisy.

Throughout this section, Paul takes the self-righteous Jew to task. But this text applies to all self-righteous people. Many people think that by keeping the Ten Commandments, they can merit righteousness before God. The problem is that one must do so perfectly one hundred percent of the time. Scripture says, “whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (James 2:10).  Paul wants the self-righteous Jew, along with every other moralistic person to know that they have failed along with everyone else to meet God’s standard of holiness. 

The bad news is that true and perfect righteousness is not possible for man to attain on his own; the standard is simply too high. The good news is that true righteousness is possible for mankind, but only through the cleansing of sin by Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We have no ability to achieve righteousness in and of ourselves. But Christians possess the righteousness of Christ, because “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is an amazing truth. On the cross, Jesus exchanged our sin for His perfect righteousness so that we can one day stand before God and He will see not our sin, but the holy righteousness of the Lord Jesus.

Sunday Morning Audio Message: 

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Jew (2:17) - Previously called Hebrews and Israelites, by the first century "Jew" had become the most common name for the descendants of Abraham through Isaac.  "Jew" comes from "Judah" (meaning "praise"), one of the twelve tribes and the designation for the southern half of Solomon's kingdom after his death.  From the time of the Babylonian captivity, the whole race bore this title.  Their great heritage, however (cf. Genesis 12:3), became a source of pride and complacency (cf. Jonah 4:2; Micah 3:11,12; Matthew 3:7-9; John 8:31-34, 40-59), which led to judgment instead of "praise."

The Blind . . . Babes (2:19, 20) - Because they possessed the law, the Jews were confident that they were spiritually superior teachers:  guides to blind pagans (cf. Matthew 23:24-28), light (cf. Isaiah 42:6), wise in God's ways, and able to teach babies (Probably a reference to Gentile proselytes to Judaism).

Doest Thou Commit Sacrilege? (Do You Rob Temples?) (2:22) - May refer to fraudulently skimming funds from money given to the temple or withhold part of their temple tax or offerings (cf. Malachi 3:8-10).  More likely, however, it refers to the common practice - in direct violation of God's command (Deuteronomy 7:25) - of looting pagan temples and selling the idols and vessels for personal profit (cf. Acts 19:37) under the pretext of religion.

It Is Written (2:24) - Quoted from Isaiah 52:5. When Isaiah wrote, the name—the reputation—of the God of Israel was sneered at by other nations because His people were being oppressed. In contrast, Paul now says God is dishonored by Israel's own actions. By breaking the law of Moses, they give God a bad name among the Gentiles. Seeing that the Jewish people break their own God-given law while looking down on others, the Gentiles respond by speaking blasphemously about Israel's God.

This highlights an important point which applies to believers in Christ, today. When those who claim to be Christians behave in un-Christ-like ways, it dishonors God. Non-believers see those sins and blame them on the faith. As Paul made clear earlier in this letter, that's not a valid excuse for rejecting the truth (Romans 1:18–20). However, those who claim the name of God need to be extremely careful about the kind of reputation we create in this world.

The point Paul is building up to is that nobody can keep the law of Moses perfectly (Romans 3:10). Everyone breaks it, somehow and somewhere, bringing dishonor to God. Everyone deserves God's judgment as a result of their sin. The law only helps to reveal sin, so salvation must come from another source. That source is faith in Christ (Romans 3:22–25).

Circumcision (2:25) - As a religious rite, circumcision was required of all of Abraham’s descendants as a sign of the covenant God made with him (Genesis 17:9–14; Acts 7:8). The Mosaic Law repeated the requirement (Leviticus 12:2–3), and Jews throughout the centuries have continued to practice circumcision (Joshua 5:2–3; Luke 1:59; Acts 16:3; Philippians 3:5). Circumcision symbolized the need for a profoundly deep cleansing, a cutting away of the flesh, and repentance to reverse the effects of sin.  

Uncircumcision (2:25) - A Jew who continually transgressed God's Law had no more of a saving relationship to God than an uncircumcised Gentile.  The outward symbol was nothing without the inner reality.

Counted as Circumcision? (2:26) - God will regard the believing Gentile as favorable as a circumcised, believing Jew.

Outwardly (2:28) - This refers to physical descendants of Abraham who have been properly circumcised (cf. 9:6; Matthew 3:9).

He is a Jew (2:29) - A true child of God, the true spiritual seed of Abraham. (See Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:29). 

Circumcision is that of the Heart (2:29) - The outward rite is of value only when it reflects the inner reality of a heart separated from sin unto God. (See Deuteronomy 19:16; 30:6).

Spirit . . . Letter (2:29) - Salvation results from the work of God's Spirit in the heart, not mere external efforts to conform to His law.

Morning Message: Patient Continuance

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Patient Continuance"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Paul’s second chapter of Romans brings home a point that God wants us to recognize, and have it lay in our hearts permanently. God’s overriding law of love can guide our treatment of others, whether they are believers, or not. We all have common ground, as all are born into this world as sinners, because we are descended from Adam.

But because we have found Christ and become believers, God’s love for us should foster the same from us towards others, for as long as we are alive on Earth, we are as susceptible to sin as anyone.

As always, to read this chapter here shows how important it is, just as the Holy Spirit moves the Apostle Matthew to dedicate all of his Chapter 7 to it. Its inclusion in two Books of the Bible reveals its true importance. Both Apostles are moved by the Holy Spirit to write on this topic, and it underscores the will of the Father for His children.

Repetition in the Bible always gives us insight into the will, the mind and heart of God. As today’s teaching follows Romans 1, it becomes clear that there are issues in Rome that are identical to those in Jerusalem, so Gentiles and Jews alike are both guilty.

Love draws people in, while condemnation drives people away, and all need salvation. Humans identify levels of sin, God does not. To our God, all sin is an abomination, every sin is unacceptable. He wants His message of loving one another to be of primary importance in his message to the lost, or those susceptible to temptation and to the saved that are still susceptible to Satan’s temptations. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all.

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Romans 2:1-16 - "Patient Continuance"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In Romans 1:18-32 the apostle Paul paints a striking picture of evil, debauched men and women. They've abandoned God and God abandons them to the consequences of their own sin.

However, at the end of Romans 1 a very important question remains unanswered: what about good people? What about those who aren't murderers, liars, thieves, fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals? Where do the people fit who haven't abandoned all sense of right and wrong?

We learn that good is never good enough!  The gospel is for everyone without exception. If the good news of God’s saving righteousness in Jesus Christ is for everyone, then the bad news that all stand under condemnation apart from God’s righteousness is also for everyone.

In this world are people who do not appear to be idolatrous or sinful--they may even identify with the true religion. In Paul's day they were the Jews. In our day they are professing Christians who want to uphold the moral standards of Scripture. But those who are not true believers are unable to maintain an external moral value system because they cannot restrain their own sinfulness. In essence they cover their darkened hearts with cloaks of light.

In Romans 2 Paul exposes the moralist. The moralist agrees with Paul's condemnation of the idolaters in chapter 1 because he sees himself as better and therefore uncondemned. But that produces a false sense of security. In Romans 3:19 Paul says, "We know that whatever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." A person understands the Christian gospel only when he understands he is guilty before God--whether immoral (chapter 1) or moral (chapter 2), whether Gentile (chapter 1) or Jew (chapter 2).

As we begin our study of Romans 2, we need to focus on this thought: mankind does not accept God’s assessment of human sin and the imperative of divine judgment. This is not to say that men will not admit they are sinners. It is very easy to get a non-Christian to agree that he is a sinner (“nobody’s perfect”), but it is almost impossible to get him to realize the gravity of his sin. Typically, he has no trouble agreeing that those who are guilty of “big sins” like murder and rape and treason deserve judgment—even death. However, that God’s wrath should fall on those guilty of such “lesser sins” as envy or arrogance does not seem quite right to them.

Most people do not take God’s word about sin and judgment seriously, but rather reject it and replace it with their own ad hominem reasoning... “Nobody’s perfect!”  “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Such thinking suggests that since we are human, we are under some moral obligation to sin, and that God is under moral obligation to forgive us. "Everyone is doing it; it is not so bad—as long as we do not commit the “biggies” we will be okay"—is the assumption that God does not mean what he says. The eternal fact is, God means what he says and says what he means.

God's judgment, despite moralisms to the contrary, is perfect. That is what Romans 2:1–16 is all about. As we come to understand (or reaffirm our understanding) of the perfection of God’s judgment, we will bring health to our souls. For those of us who are believers, this will drive us toward a greater authenticity in life—and thus spiritual power. For the non-Christian, there will be strong encouragement to face fundamental issues about oneself and God.

Sunday Morning Audio Message: 

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Inexcusable (2:1) - Without excuse.  Both Jews and moral Gentiles who think they are exempt from God's judgment because they have not indulged in the immoral excesses described in chapter 1, are tragically mistaken.  They have more knowledge than the immoral pagan (3:2; 9:4) and thus a greater accountability (cf. Hebrews 10:26-29; James 3:1). 

Condemn Yourself (2:1) - Whoever has sufficient knowledge to judge others condemns himself because he has the knowledge to evaluate his own condition and doesn't.  Overlooking their own sins they become self-righteous.  Romans 3:10, "There is none righteous, no not one."

Despise (2:4) - Literally, to think down on someone or something. 

Goodness (2:4) - “The goodness of God” simply refers to His kindness. Also known as "common grace," or the undeserved goodness of God toward sinners.

Forbearance (2:4) - a patient holding back, or a delay of punishment/judgment. In this verse, it represents a suspense of wrath which must eventually be exercised unless the sinner accepts God's conditions.

Longsuffering (2:4) - The duration for which God demonstrates His goodness and forbearance - long periods of time. 

Repentance (2:4) - The act of turning from sin to Christ for forgiveness and salvation.

Hardness (2:5) - A hardening of the heart. Here the danger is not physical but spiritual. 

(See: Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 19:8; Mark 3:5; 6:52; 8:17; John 12:40; Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7).

Impenitent Heart - A refusal to repent and accept God's pardon of sin through Jesus Christ.

Treasuring Up...Wrath (2:5) - Those who reject God's offer of forgiveness and cling to sin accumulate more of God's wrath and will earn a more severe judgment.

Day of Wrath/Judgment (2:5) - The final judgment of wicked men that comes at the Great White Throne at the end of the Millennium.

In verses 6-10, Paul describes the deeds of two distinct groups:  the redeemed (verses 7,10) and the unredeemed (verses 8, 9). Although Scripture everywhere teaches that salvation is NOT on the basis of works, it consistently teaches that God's judgment is always on the basis of a person's deeds (Isaiah 3:10, 11; Jeremiah 17:10; John 5:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7-9).   The deeds of the redeemed are not the basis of their salvation, but the evidence of it.  They are not perfect and are prone to sin, but there is undeniable evidence of righteousness in their lives.

Eternal Life (2:7) - Not just in duration, but also in quality.  Eternal life is a kind of life, the holy life of the eternal God given to believers.

The Jew First (2:9) - The Jews, as God's chosen people, were given the first opportunity to hear the gospel, and Paul always sought to apply this principle.  By the same token, they were to receive the first and most sever judgment, because of the greater light they had received (Luke 12:47, 48) when they rejected the gospel.

Respect of Persons (2:11) - no partiality, or preference given to someone simply because of his position, wealth, influence, popularity, or appearance.  God's nature is to be just; it is impossible for Him to be anything but impartial.   

Without Law (2:12) - The Gentiles who never had the opportunity to know God's moral law (Exodus 20:1) will be judged on their disobedience in relationship to their limited knowledge.  

Judged by the Law (2:12) - The Jews, and many Gentiles who had access to God's moral law will be accountable for their greater knowledge (Matthew 11:20-23; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31). 

By Nature (2:14) - Without knowing the written Law of God, people in pagan society generally value and attempt to practice its most basic tenets.  This is normal for cultures instinctively value justice, honesty, compassion, and goodness toward others, reflecting the divine law written in the heart. 

Law to Themselves (2:14) - Practice of some good deeds and their aversion to some evil ones demonstrate an innate knowledge of God's Law.

Conscience (2:15) - Literally, "with knowledge." That instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated.  God has designed us with an internal warning system that activates whenever we choose to ignore or disobeys His law.  Repeatedly ignoring the warnings of the conscience desensitizes it and eventually silences it (1 Timothy 4:2). 

Morning Message: The Road to Idolatry

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Road to Idolatry"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), Paul continues to lay out the foundations for Living By Faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul had seen many things in his life, even as a Jew. Born in Tarsus in Asia, he was surrounded by Gentiles, and all the false gods that they worshiped. The Spirit led him to the conclusion that to reject Jehovah is to open one’s self to the worship of anything else but Jehovah. Heathen Gentiles made gods of anything they liked in God’s Creation! And I wish to not offend anyone here, but sex, drugs, and rock & roll are not a 20th Century phenomenon! It has almost always been wine, women, and song; in excess, the lures of ungodliness. God’s gifts corrupted into sin. Paul understood that to deny the God Who designed us leads to a life of idolatry. The practices of idolatry were all fleshly, and led many into a wide variety of sexualized worship practices, as was the case with goddess Dianah of the Ephesians.

That is living in the flesh, rather than living by faith in Christ Jesus. It is not unlike the promotion of open sexuality in many nations, including our own from the 1950’s and ‘60’s, and 70’s, to our days today. By Paul’s thinking, we must conclude that our nation is surely no longer a Christian nation, because our society exhibits all the symptoms and habits of a God rejecting country. To reject God’s righteousness and holiness, is to reject Him, because they define Him.

But among our citizens, there are pockets of God’s faithful. Christianity is still popular; “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20).

From Hebrews 11:16 -

“But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.” - Hebrews 11:16

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Audio Message

Romans 1:18-32 - "The Road to Idolatry"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Romans 1 is the opening chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. After introducing himself as the preacher of the good news of God (verse 1), Paul tells of the promise (verse 2) and the Person (verses 3-4 of the good news.  This chapter introduces the key themes of the Gospel, righteousness, faith, and the wrath of God against sin. Paul writes to believers in Rome, expressing his longing to visit them and share in their faith.

This week, we are looking at verses 18-32 of Romans chapter 1.  The title of this morning's message is, "The Road to Idolatry."  

Idolatry is worshipping something other than the True GOD in the True Way (Leviticus 19:4). Idolatry is the product of rebellion, not confusion. While hearts and minds darkened by sin can’t find God on their own apart from His Word, the apostle Paul makes it clear that the root of idolatry is man’s rejection of creation’s testimony to its Creator.

Paul asserts that he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. He emphasizes that the righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel, a righteousness that is by faith.

Paul then launches into an explanation of why God is right to condemn humanity in the first place. Why do we need salvation? What do we need to be saved from? Paul describes a downward progression for unrighteous humanity; this includes all of us by our very nature. It begins with refusing to see in creation what God has made knowable about Himself by what He has made. Sinful humans do not want to see, and do not want others to recognize, God's eternal power or divine nature from what He has made (Romans 1:18–20).

God testifies through Paul that all people have evidence of God, and what their physical senses can perceive of Him, their inner senses can understand to some extent.  All men know something and understand something of the reality and the truth of God.  They are therefore responsible for a proper response to that revelation.  Any wrong response is "inexcusable."  God has made Himself known to all people everywhere in the marvels of nature and in the human conscience, which is able to distinguish right from wrong.  Because this knowledge is universal and continuous, by it God has displayed His glory to everyone.

Paul describes the character of fallen man.  He gives four reasons why everyone is born under God's wrath and condemnation.  The first two reasons are God's revelation and man's rejection, the third and fourth reasons are man's rationalization (justifying of sin) and practice of sin (man's religion).

Having rejected God as Creator, we also refuse to give Him thanks as our provider. We congratulate ourselves for our wisdom in seeing the world without God in it and, instead, become fools, unable to understand the basic truths of the universe because we have eliminated the possibility that God is the source of it all. Our hearts become darker and darker (Romans 1:21–22).

Next, we begin to worship what God has made instead of Him. We create lesser versions of His creation and worship them, further alienating and insulting Him. In response, God expresses His wrath on humanity in a surprising way: He is said to give us over to the unchecked expression of our sinful desires. Paul first mentions our full indulgence, at God's "giving over," of our sexual desires with and against each other, dishonoring the bodies He has made and given to us. Next, He gives us over to the indulgence of sexual desire in homosexual relationships, as women and men become consumed with passion for people of their own gender (Romans 1:23–27).

Finally, since we continue to refuse to acknowledge God, He gives us up to debased minds, resulting in our indulgence in every kind of sin imaginable. Paul concludes the chapter with a list of such sins. Few people are likely guilty of all of these sins, but all of us are guilty of some of them. We are all slaves to our sin and in need of salvation from the wrath of God in judgment against us (Romans 1:28–32).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Wrath of God (1:18) - Not a capricious, impulsive, arbitrary outburst of anger, but the settled determined response of a Holy God against sin. Wrath is defined as “the emotional response to perceived wrong and injustice,” often translated as “anger,” “indignation,” “vexation,” or “irritation.” Both humans and God express wrath. But there is vast difference between the wrath of God and the wrath of man. God’s wrath is holy and always justified; man’s is never holy and rarely justified.

Manifest in Them (1:19) - God's sovereignly implanted evidence of His own existence in the heart of every person.

From the Creation (1:20) - That is, from the very time of Creation, men should have seen the evidence of God's existence and His work in the marvelous universe which He had created. 

Things That Are Made (1:20) - The phrase "things that are made" is one word, poiema, in the Greek, a word used elsewhere only in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship."  God has written two poetic masterpieces, as it were, one in the physical creation, one in the lives of men and women redeemed and saved by His grace (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8).  Both give eloquent testimony to the eternal power and Godhead of the Creator/Redeemer.

Eternal Power (1:20) - It is God's eternal power which is evident in the cosmos, the power which created it, not just the power which sustains it once it has been created. 

Godhead (1:20) - The "Godhead" refers to the divine Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God manifest in three Persons.  The word itself does not mean "trinity," but simply "Godhood" - that is, the nature of God, God as he has revealed Himself.  He has revealed Himself as a triune God.  He is One God (Deuteronomy 6:4; James 2:19), invisible, omnipresent Father, and approachable Son, and also as indwelling, guiding Spirit.  

Without Excuse (1:20) - literally means without an apologetic, or without a defense.

Although They Knew God (1:21) - Every person is conscious of God's existence, power, and divine nature through general revelation. General revelation refers to the general truths that can be known about God through nature. In regard to general revelation, Psalm 19:1-4 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” According to this passage, God’s existence and power can be clearly seen through observing the universe. The order, intricacy, and wonder of creation speak to the existence of a powerful and glorious Creator.

Glorify (1:21) - To honor Him with praise and worship; We were created for no other reason than to exalt God, the failure or refusal to do so is the ultimate affront to our Creator. When we glorify Him, we acknowledge His greatness and splendor and laud Him for it. When we “give Him glory,” as all the world is told to do in Revelation 14:7, we direct our praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and worship to Him who alone is worthy.

Changed the Glory...Into an Image (1:23) - In other words the worship of idols. They could have had a relationship with their Creator; instead, they exchanged “the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:23).

Became Fools (1:22) - someone who disregards God’s Word. The ultimate description of a fool is one who “says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).

Gave them up (1:24, 26) - God gave them over to impurity to fulfill the lusts of their hearts, to the dishonor even of their own bodies.

Gave them over (1:28) - God gave them over further to degrading passions (Romans 1:26–27) and to depraved minds (Romans 1:28–29) because they did not see fit to acknowledge Him. Rather than acknowledge and thank their Creator, they exchanged the truth for a lie and chose to worship anything and everything else.

The Lie (1:25) - The denying of God's existence.

Vile Passions (1:26) - Disgraceful or degrading perversions (for example, in this context, homosexuality).