Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 1:25
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
25. who changed ] The Greek relative pronoun implies that this was the cause of the special turn taken by the judicial hardening: seeing they had changed, &c.
the truth of God ] i.e. that which is true of Him alone, and revealed by Him; Omnipotence and Deity. Cp. Rom 1:18.
into a lie ] Lit. in falsehood; they degraded it so that it was lost in falsehood; falsehood took its place. This “falsehood” is, of course, the grand error Idolatry.
more than the Creator ] Lit. Him that created [ it ]. The idolater reverenced and did ritual service to his idol “ more,” or “ rather ” than to the Creator, whether he wholly ignored the Eternal, or recognized Him as a shadow or mystery in the background only.
who is blessed ] Benedictus here, not Beatus. The glorious epithet indicates the Creature’s right attitude toward the Creator; that of adoring praise and love. (The same phrase occurs Rom 9:5; an important doctrinal parallel.)
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Who changed the truth of God – This is a repetition of the declaration in Rom 1:23, in another form. The phrase, the truth of God is a Hebrew phrase, meaning the true God. In such a case, where two nouns come together, one is employed as an adjective to qualify the other. Most commonly the latter of two nouns is used as the adjective, but sometimes it is the former, as in this case. God is called the true God in opposition to idols, which are called false gods. There is but one real or true God, and all others are false.
Into a lie – Into idols, or false gods. Idols are not infrequently called falsehood and lies, because they are not true representations of God; Jer 13:25; Isa 28:15; Jer 10:14; Psa 40:4.
The creature – Created things, as the sun, moon, animals, etc.
Who is blessed forever – It was not uncommon to add a doxology, or ascription of praise to God, when his name was mentioned; see Rom 9:5; 2Co 11:31; Gal 1:5. The Jews also usually did it. In this way they preserved veneration for the name of God, and accustomed themselves to speak of him with reverence. The Muslims also borrowed this custom from the Jews, and practice it to a great extent. Tholuck mentions an Arabic manuscript in the library at Berlin which contains an account of heresies in respect to Islamism, and as often as the writer has occasion to mention the name of a new heretical sect, he adds, God be exalted above all which they say (Stuart).
Amen – This is a Hebrew word denoting strong affirmation. So let it be. It implies here the solemn assent of the writer to what was just said; or his strong wish that what he had said might be – that the name of God might be esteemed and be blessed forever. The mention of the degrading idolatry of the pagans was strongly calculated to impress on his mind the superior excellency and glory of the one living God. It is mentioned respecting the honorable Robert Boyle, that he never mentioned the name of God without a solemn pause, denoting his profound reverence. Such a practice would tend eminently to prevent an unholy familiarity and irreverence in regard to the sacred name of the Most High; compare Exo 20:7.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 25. Changed the truth of God into a lie] In the place of the true worship of God, they established idolatry. In various places of Scripture idols are termed lies. Isa 44:20; Jer 10:14; Jer 13:25. The true God was known among the primitive inhabitants of the earth, those who first became idolaters literally changed the truth of God into a lie: they did know the true God, but they put idols in his place.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Who changed the truth of God into a lie; i.e. the God of truth, or the true God, into an idol, which is a lie, which seems to be that which it is not: or else, by the truth of God, understand those true sentiments and notions that they had of God, and were taught them, as before, by the light of nature, and the book of the creatures; these they changed into lying imaginations and conceits.
And worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator; or, besides the Creator: some understand it comparatively, they worshipped one more than the other; others exclusively, they worshipped one and not the other. They were guilty of two great errors; one was in their minds, they changed the truth of God into a lie; the other in their wills, they served the creature more than the Creator.
Who is blessed for ever. Amen: when the Hebrews of old made mention of the true God, they were wont to add these words: Let him be blessed for ever.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
25. Who changed the truth of Godinto a liethat is, the truth concerning God into idolfalsehood.
and worshipped and served thecreature more than the CreatorProfessing merely to worship theCreator by means of the creature, they soon came to lose sightof the Creator in the creature. How aggravated is the guilt ofthe Church of Rome, which, under the same flimsy pretext, doesshamelessly what the heathen are here condemned for doing, and withlight which the heathen never had!
who is blessed for ever!AmenBy this doxology the apostle instinctively relieves thehorror which the penning of such things excited within his breast; anexample to such as are called to expose like dishonor done to theblessed God.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Who changed the truth of God into a lie,…. Not the truth of the Gospel, which they were unacquainted with; but that which might be known of God as true, and was known of them by the light of nature; or the true God himself, whom they “changed into a lie”; by ascribing to false deities, which were lying vanities, those things which were known of God; and by worshipping them instead of him: for they
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator; or “above him” or “against him”, in opposition to him, or “besides him”, others along with him; or neglecting him, and not worshipping him at all; which is aggravated in that what they worshipped was a creature, either of their own, or of God’s making, and whom they neglected was the Creator of them:
who is blessed for ever, Amen; is blessed in himself, and the fountain of all blessedness to his creatures; which is so glaring a truth, that everyone ought to say and set his “Amen” to it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Exchanged (). First aorist active indicative of , old word for exchanging trade, only here and verse 26 in N.T. What a bargain they made, “the truth of God for () the () lie.” “The price of mythology” (Bengel).
Worshipped (). First aorist passive (used transitively) of , old verb, used in late Greek like , to worship.
Rather than the Creator ( ). Placed side by side (, the Creator and the creature, ) they preferred the creature.
Who is blessed forever. Amen ( . ). One of Paul’s doxologies which may come at any moment when he is greatly stirred, as in 9:5. is verbal of .
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Who changed the truth of God,” (oitines metallaksam aletheian tou theon) “Those who perverted, distorted, detoured the truth of God,” as the Creator and sustainer of man who is worthy of honor and glory.
2) “Into a lie,” (en to pseudei) “in the direction of, to or toward, the lie;” to the end that the created should honor, serve, and worship the created, should involve itself in self-worship, or worship of idols or a false god.
3) “And worshipped and served the creature,” (esebasthesan kai elatreusan te ktisei) “They even or also worshipped and served the creature;” Even Israel did this, led by Aaron, while Moses was before God the Creator, receiving the law, Exo 32:1-9; Exo 32:22-25.
4) “More than the creator,” (para ton ktisanta) “Rather than (instead of) the Creator,” the very person that merits and requires worship, Gen 1:1; Exo 20:1-5. With David we say, “Their gods are not as our God,” Psa 115:1-8.
5) “Who is blessed forever, Amen,” (hos estin eulogetos eis tous aionas Amen) “Who is blessed unto the Ages, Amen (so may it ever be).” What a doxology of praise to give relief from the contemptuous treatment the unregenerate ingrates of humanity show to the eternal God; He only, is to be feared, obeyed, worshipped, and served, Deu 6:13; Mat 4:10; Luk 4:8; 2Co 1:3-4; 1Ti 1:17.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
25. Who changed, etc. He repeats what he had said before, though in different words, in order to fix it deeper in our minds. When the truth of God is turned to a lie, his glory is obliterated. It is then but just, that they should be besprinkled with every kind of infamy, who strive to take away from God his honor, and also to reproach his name. —
And worshipped, etc. That I might include two words in one, I have given this rendering. He points out especially the sin of idolatry; for religious honor cannot be given to a creature, without taking it away, in a disgraceful and sacrilegious manner, from God: and vain is the excuse that images are worshipped on God’s account, since God acknowledges no such worship, nor regards it as acceptable; and the true God is not then worshipped at all, but a fictitious God, whom the flesh has devised for itself. (52) What is added, Who is blessed for ever, I explain as having been said for the purpose of exposing idolaters to greater reproach, and in this way, “He is one whom they ought alone to have honored and worshipped, and from whom it was not right to take away any thing, no, not even the least.”
(52) The words, “the truth of God,” and “falsehood,” or, a lie, are Hebraistic in their meaning, signifying “the true God,” and “an idol.” The word, which means a lie, is often in Hebrew applied to any thing made to be worshipped. See Isa 44:17, compared with Isa 44:20 [ Stuart ] renders the sentence, “Who exchanged the true God for a false one.” [ Wolfius ] objects to this view, and says, “I prefer to take ἀλήθειαν τοῦ θεοῦ, for the truth made known by God to the Gentiles, of which see Rom 1:18, and the following verses: they changed this into a lie, i.e. , into those insane and absurd notions, into which they were led by their διαλογισμοῖς — reasonings, Rom 1:21.” The expression — παρὰ τὸν κτίσαντα has been rendered by [ Erasmus ] , “above the creator,” by [ Luther ] , “rather than the Creator;” by [ Beza ], “to the neglect of the Creator — præterito conditore;” and by [ Grotius ], “in the place of the Creator.” The two last are more consonant with the general tenor of the context; for the persons here spoken of, according to the description given them, did not worship God at all; παρὰ is evidently used in the sense of exclusion and opposition παρὰ τὸν νόμον — contrary to the law, Act 18:13; παρὰ φύσιν — contrary to nature, Rom 1:26. See Gal 1:8 — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie.They ceased to worship God as He isin His own true essential nature, and worshipped false gods instead. The phrase into a lie, is literally, with a lie, the lie being regarded as the instrument by which the substitution is made. By a lie is meant here false gods, who are the supreme embodiment of falsehood. (Comp. Isa. 44:20; Jer. 13:25; Jer. 16:19, &c.)
The introduction of the doxology in this verse is due to an impulse of reverential feeling. Shocked at the language which he finds himself using, and at the connection in which the most Holy Name has been mentioned, the Apostle turns aside for a moment to testify to his own humble adoration.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
25. Changed The apostle again refers to the primal cause of their deep plunges in unnatural animalism, their apostasy from God. They first dishonoured their Maker and then debased themselves.
Truth of God lie So the Hebrew writers called an idol preeminently a lie, as basely falsifying the glorious truth of the Divine nature.
The creature The created object, whether deified animal or inanimate substance shaped into an idol.
More than Rather than, instead of.
Blessed A doxology asserting the Divine over all created nature.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘In that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.’
And all this happened because man by his own choice exchanged the truth of God manifest in his heart for what was only a lie, a deceit, a pretence, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, the One Who is blessed for ever. When he became aware of God speaking within he quashed it, and found a substitute. The addition of ‘Who is blessed for ever’ is typically rabbinic, but emphasises the difference between the gods which will not last on the one hand, and the God Who is everlasting on the other. Only One is deserving of praise.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rom 1:25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie Elsner takes great pains to shew, that the truth of God, here signifies what he really was; and a lie, a false representation. It is well known that idols are often called lies. See Isa 44:20; Isa 44:28.
“They changed the truth of God, the true doctrine of his nature, and the genuine institutions of his worship, into a lie, into abominable idolatries, founded on the falsest representations of God, and often supported by a train of artful forgeries.” See Elsner’s Observations, vol. 2: p. 11.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Rom 1:25 . . . [497] ] as those who exchanged , etc. In this description of the character of those who are given up, attached to Rom 1:24 , Paul makes once more apparent the motive which determined God to give them up. The words are a renewed tragic commentary (comp Rom 1:22-23 ) on the , Rom 1:24 . On , quippe qui , which brings up the class to which one belongs, and thereby includes the specification of the reason, see Hermann, a [499] Soph. Oed. R. 688; Matthiae, p. 1073. Hofmann erroneously makes a relative protasis begin with , with which then . . [500] , Rom 1:26 , would be connected by way of apodosis: them, who exchanged etc., God has therefore given up. This would not be inconsistent with in Rom 1:26 , which would then be resumptive; but the very praise of God, in which Rom 1:25 terminates, and still more the concluding , which can only indicate the end of the sentence (comp Rom 9:5 , Rom 11:36 ; Gal 1:5 ; Eph 3:21 ), ought to have decidedly precluded such a forced intermixture of sentences, which is not to be justified by subtleties.
The compound . ( exchanged ) is more significant than ( changed ) in Rom 1:23 .
. ] to be taken entirely in harmony with the expression in Rom 1:23 ; therefore is to be taken as genitive of the subject : the truth of God , the true divine reality, [502] so as to make it in point of actual meaning, though not in the abstract form of the conception, identical with: “ true God ” (Luther, and most expositors, including Rckert, de Wette, Tholuck, Fritzsche, Philippi, van Hengel). It is differently rendered by Wolf, whom Kllner follows: the truth revealed to the Gentiles by God . Reiche and Mehring (following Pareus, Camerarius, Estius, Seb. Schmid, and Cramer) take it as the true knowledge of God , so that would be genitive of the object . Compare Piscator, Usteri and Glckler, who understand by it the original consciousness of God. Opposed to these views is the exact parallel in which Rom 1:25 stands to Rom 1:23 , so that ought not to be taken without necessity as having a different reference in the two verses. . . is explained concretely by in the second half of the verse.
] with the lie ; as in Rom 1:23 . By this Paul means, in contrast to . . (but otherwise than in Rom 3:7 ), the false gods , which are the in concreto , the negation of the truth of God. Comp on 1Co 8:4 f., 1Co 10:20 . Grotius has aptly said: “pro Deo vero sumserunt imaginarios.” Comp Isa 44:20 ; Jer 3:10 ; Jer 13:25 ; Jer 16:19 , al [505] ; Philo, vit. Mos. p. 678 C, p. 679 A.
. ] more precise explanation of the first clause of the verse.
. . .] The former is general ( coluerunt ), the latter took place through sacrifices , and other definite rites and services ; hence Paul designates his own specific service of God in Rom 1:8 by . , in Homer: to be afraid of ( Il. vi. 167, 417), is employed in the later Greek like in the sense to revere , Orph. Arg. 550, Aq. Hos. x. 5. In the N. T. it only occurs here.
] Corresponding with the verb standing next to it, so that the accusative is to be supplied with . See Matthiae, 428, 2.
. ] in the sense of comparison: prae creatore , in which case the context alone decides whether the preference of the one before the other is only relative , or whether it excludes the latter altogether (see on Luk 18:14 ; and van Hengel on our passage). The second case is that which occurs here, in accordance both with the nature of the case, seeing that the Gentiles did not worship the Creator at all, and with the immediate connection ( . ). The sense therefore substantially amounts to praeterito creatore (Hilary), or relicto creatore (Cyprian), i.e. they honoured the creature and not the Creator, whom they ought to have honoured. Theophylact says aptly, with reference to the comparative : . So in substance also Beza, Estius, and others, including Reiche, Tholuck, Olshausen, de Wette, Baumgarten-Crusius, Krehl, Reithmayr, Maier, Philippi, van Hengel. The relative interpretation: more than the Creator (Vulgate, Erasmus, Luther, Castalio, Grotius, Ammon, Rckert, and others), is therefore in point of fact erroneous. The contra creatorem , which Hammond, Koppe, Flatt, Fritzsche and Mehring find here, may likewise be traced to the sense of comparison (see Bernhardy, p. 259; Winer, p. 377 [E. T. 504]; and the passages from Plato in Ast. Lex. III. p. 28), but has against it the fact, that in the whole context Paul presents the matter in the light of a , of an exchanging the true for the false, not of hostility to the true. From that point of view the Gentiles have worshipped the creature, and not the Creator. Quite parallel is in Luke, Luk 18:14 , Lachm.
The doxology: who is praised , , not: celebrandus (comp on Eph 1:3 ; 2Co 11:31 ; Mar 14:61 ), for ever! Amen , is a natural effusion of deeply-moved piety, called forth by the detestable contrast of the Gentile abominations just described, without any further special design (Koppe: “ne ipse in majestatem divinam injurius videri possit;” comp Tholuck).
[497] . . . .
[499] d refers to the note of the commentator or editor named on the particular passage.
[500] . . . .
[502] Not “the truth, which God Himself is ” (Hofmann); but that, which God is in true reality . That is just the adequate substance of His .
[505] l. and others; and other passages; and other editions.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Ver. 25. Who changed ] They tare out their natural principles and turned atheists, as Diagoras, who yet was an atheist more with his tongue than with his heart; for having cried down a deity in a famous oration, he yet suffered himself to be deified by the people for his eloquence. Qua ornari ab eo Diabolus quaerebat, as Austin writeth to a learned but lewd person of his times. See my Common Place of Atheism. Epicurus verbis reliquit Deos re sustulit, saith Cicero (De Nat. Deor.).
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
25. ] This verse casts light on the . of Rom 1:18 . The truth of God (the true notion of Him as the Creator) which they professed, they changed into (see on , Rom 1:23 ) a lie ( = , used of idols, Jer 16:19 ), thus counteracting its legitimate agency and depriving it of all power for good.
, of the honour of respect and observance and reverence , , of formal worship with sacrifice and offering . Both verbs belong to ; though would require an accusative, , the nearest, takes the government.
. ] the thing made , the creature a general term for all objects of idolatrous worship.
, beyond which would amount to the exclusion of the Creator.
The doxology expresses the horror of the Apostle at this dishonour, and puts their sin in a more striking light. But we need not supply , as Chrys.
is Blessed , : the LXX put for it the perf. part., Ps. 117:24. The adjective is usually of God : the participle, of man.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Rom 1:25 . . . .: being as they were persons who exchanged the truth of God for the lie. “The truth of God” ( cf. Rom 1:23 , “the glory of God”) is the same thing as God in His truth, or the true God as He had actually revealed Himself to man. , abstract for concrete, is the idol or false God. The ( cf. Rom 1:23 ) answers to Hebrew . : to the passing by, i.e. , disregard or contempt of the Creator. For this use of , see Winer, 503 f. : the doxology relieves the writer’s feelings as he contemplates such horrors.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Who = Since they.
changed. Greek. metallasso; only here and Rom 1:26. A stronger word than in Rom 1:23.
the truth of God into a lie = the truth of God for the lie. Man transferred his worship from God (the Truth) to the devil. Compare Joh 8:44. Eph 4:25. 2Th 2:9-11.
a lie = the lie. Greek. to pseudos. Compare 2Th 2:11. The He is that Satan is man’s benefactor and is to be worshipped.
worshipped. Greek. sebazomai. App-137. Only here.
served. Greek. latreuo. App-137and App-190.
creature = the things created; not only sun, moon, stars, men, the animate creation, but Satan himself, the arch-enemy, who by means of his “lie” (Gen 3:4, Gen 3:5) transferred the worship of man from the Creator to himself, the creature.
more than. Greek. para. App-104.
blessed. Greek. eulogetos. Compare Rom 9:5. Mar 14:61. (The) Blessed One. Not a statement of doctrine, but a well-known Hebraism of praise to God as Creator.
for ever. App-151. a.
Amen. See Mat 5:18. Joh 1:51, and p. 1511.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
25.] This verse casts light on the . of Rom 1:18. The truth of God (the true notion of Him as the Creator) which they professed, they changed into (see on , Rom 1:23) a lie ( = , used of idols, Jer 16:19), thus counteracting its legitimate agency and depriving it of all power for good.
, of the honour of respect and observance and reverence,-, of formal worship with sacrifice and offering. Both verbs belong to ; though would require an accusative, , the nearest, takes the government.
.] the thing made, the creature-a general term for all objects of idolatrous worship.
, beyond-which would amount to the exclusion of the Creator.
The doxology expresses the horror of the Apostle at this dishonour, and puts their sin in a more striking light. But we need not supply , as Chrys.
is Blessed, : the LXX put for it the perf. part., Ps. 117:24. The adjective is usually of God: the participle, of man.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rom 1:25. , the truth) which commands us to worship God AS God.- [into a lie-Engl. vers.] (exchanged) for a lie) the price paid for [mythology] idol worship; , the Lat. cum.-, they worshipped) implying internal worship.-, they served) implying external worship.-) in preference to, more than, ch. Rom 14:5 [ ].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rom 1:25
Rom 1:25
for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie,- They gave up the truth of God and followed the deceptive reasonings of their own hearts, which Paul calls a lie, and worshiped and served the creature-man and beast created by God.
and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator.-[It is evident that they worshiped the creature only and the Creator not at all. But Paul, by using the milder words rather than, makes their folly the more evident by comparing the objects chosen and refused.]
who is blessed for ever. Amen.-[A natural outburst of piety, called forth by the detestable contrast of the heathen abomination. However much they may dishonor him, his glory is not impaired.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
changed: Rom 1:23
the truth: Rom 1:18, 1Th 1:9, 1Jo 5:20
into a lie: Isa 44:20, Jer 10:14, Jer 10:15, Jer 13:25, Jer 16:19, Amo 2:4, Joh 2:8, Hab 2:18
the creature: Rom 1:23, Mat 6:24, Mat 10:37, 2Ti 3:4, 1Jo 2:15, 1Jo 2:16
more: or, rather, who is, Rom 9:5, Psa 72:19, Psa 145:1, Psa 145:2, 2Co 11:31, Eph 3:21, 1Ti 1:11, 1Ti 1:17
Reciprocal: Deu 4:19 – the host Psa 33:6 – the host Psa 52:3 – lovest Col 2:18 – worshipping
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
:25
Rom 1:25. The truth of God cannot actually be changed into a lie, for divine truth is eternal. The definitions of Robinson and Thayer of the word for changed are the same in thought, but the former is more direct which is, “To exchange one thing for another.” The heathen gave up the truth of God and accepted the lie of idolatry in exchange. Served the creature more [marginal “rather”] than the Creator. See verse 23.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rom 1:25. Being such as, or, since they were such as. Here the Apostle reverts to the reason for the punishment.
Exchanged. A stronger phrase than that in Rom 1:23.
The truth of God. The truth or reality of God, the true Divine essence, practically the same as the true God. The latter phrase would perhaps seem irreverent. Other views, the true knowledge of God, the true notion of God, etc., are less in keeping with the figure of exchanging.
For a lie; comp. Jer 13:25, and similar passages, where idols are called a lie. The term is apt because the heathen gods have no existence.
Worshipped and served. The former means religious reverence of every kind; the latter, formal worship, with sacrifice, and other acts and rites.
Bather than the Creator. The nature of the case leads us to prefer rather than to more than; for idolatry is in compatible with the worship of the true God, who shares His honor with none of His creatures.
Who is blessed, etc. The doxology is the natural outburst of piety, aroused into holy indignation at the sin of idolatry, which is by the contrast portrayed in its darkest colors. The word rendered blessed is applied, in the Bible, only to God; a different one is used of man, in the Psalms, Sermon on the Mount, etc.
Amen. Comp. chaps. Rom 9:5; Rom 11:33, for the solemn, liturgical close of a doxology.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Here our apostle proceeds to give a particular and distinct account of the abominable idolatry and unnatural filthiness, which he had charged the Heathens with in the foregoing verses.
As to their idolatry, he had told us at the 23rd verse, that they had made false and unworthy representations of the ever-blessed God: worshipping God in and by the creatures. In the 25th verse, they are charged with a false object of their worship, giving divine honour to a creature: They changed the truth of God into a lie; that is, the true God into an idol, called a lie, because it deceives men as a lie doth by seeming to be that which indeed it is not; it seems in the idolater’s fancy, to have something of divinity in it, when, in reality, it is but wood or stone. Every image of God is a false and lying representation of God.
Secondly, As to their uncleanness, he shews that they were so given up to the ravings of lust for sinning against the light of nature, that they forsook the order of nature, and were more brutish than the very brutes.
Learn hence, That when men provoke God finally to forsake them, and judicially to give them up to their own heart’s lusts, they will not stick to commit such monstrous and unnatural uncleanness, as the very brute beasts abhor. Here men and women burnt in worse than beastly lusts towards those of their own sex.
Lord, if we are not more vile than the vilest of thy creatures, we owe it all to thy sanctifying, or, a least, to thy restraining grace. As by the grace of God we are what we are; so by his grace it is that we are not what we are not.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Vv. 25 was an interruption extorted from Paul by the need which his outraged heart felt to justify once more the severity of such a punishment. He now resumes his exposition of the punishment, begun in Rom 1:24; and this time he proceeds to the end. He does not shrink from any detail fitted to bring out the vengeance which God has taken on the offence offered to His outraged majesty.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. [Wherefore, finding them living in lust, God ceased to restrain or protect them from evil (Gen 6:3), and abandoned them to the uncleanness toward which their lust incited them, that they might dishonor their bodies among themselves to the limit of their lustfulness, as a punishment for dishonoring and abandoning him. He did this because they had exchanged the truth of God (which from the start they had hindered in unrighteousness, Rom 1:18), i. e., the truth respecting God and his law and worship, for the sham of idolatry and the false worship pertaining thereto, and because they had given to the creature that inward reverence and outward service which was due to the Creator, thus preferring the creature to the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. “‘Blessed’ is not the word signifying happy, rendered blessed in Mat 5:3-11; 1Ti 1:11; 1Ti 6:15; but the word signifying praised, adored, extolled; i. e., worthy to be praised, etc. In the New Testament this word is applied to none but to God only; though the cognate verb is used to express the good wishes and hearty prayers of one creature for another, as well as praise to God–comp. Heb 11:20-21; Jam 3:9 “–Plumer.]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for evermore. Amen. Here we see the fatal downward trend of humanity, alienated from God; like a ship loosed from her moorings, adrift on the sea, the sport of the billows and the caprice of the storm, till wounded or wrecked. Hence when people get away from the personal indwelling Holy Spirit, they float on hellwardly whether through churches or outside. Creature worship is idolatry, whether it be a fine house, a pipe-organ, an old creed, water baptism or an elegant, learned preacher. It is creature worship instead of the heart cry after God.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 25
The truth of God; the truth in respect to God.–More than; rather than.