Romans 1:32

My Notes

What Does Romans 1:32 Mean?

This is the final verse of Romans 1, and it describes the lowest point on the downward spiral Paul has been tracing since verse 18. The descent has moved from suppressing truth (v. 18) to idolatry (vv. 22-23) to sexual degradation (vv. 26-27) to a comprehensive catalog of sin (vv. 29-31). And now Paul identifies the bottom: not just doing evil, but applauding it.

"Who knowing the judgment of God" — they aren't ignorant. They know. The knowledge of God's judgment is present, accessible, understood. This isn't a sin of ignorance. It's a sin committed with full awareness of the consequences.

"That they which commit such things are worthy of death" — they know the stakes. They understand that these actions deserve death — not just social disapproval, but divine judgment. The knowledge is there. It doesn't produce repentance. It doesn't even produce hesitation.

"Not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" is the final step down. Doing evil is one thing. Taking pleasure in others doing evil is worse. Why? Because doing evil can be driven by weakness, compulsion, or momentary failure. But celebrating evil in others is a settled posture — a philosophical commitment. It means you've not only crossed the line yourself; you've become a cheerleader for others crossing it. The conscience isn't just overridden. It's been converted. What was once recognized as wrong is now celebrated as right.

Reflection Questions

• 1.Is there something you've started applauding — in culture, in your social circle, or online — that your conscience once flagged as wrong?
• 2.Paul says celebrating others' sin is worse than committing it yourself. Why do you think a settled posture of approval is more dangerous than a moment of weakness?
• 3.They 'knew the judgment of God' and did it anyway. Where are you sinning with full knowledge rather than out of ignorance?
• 4.How do you distinguish between extending grace to people who struggle and celebrating behavior that contradicts God's design?

Devotional

The bottom of the spiral isn't the worst sin you can commit. It's applauding when someone else commits it.

Paul has spent an entire chapter tracing humanity's descent — from knowing God and refusing to honor Him, to trading truth for lies, to every form of moral collapse. And at the very bottom, he doesn't put a spectacular sin. He puts a posture: having pleasure in those who do evil. Approving. Celebrating. Cheering.

Why is this worse than doing evil yourself? Because when you sin, there's often a battle. A conscience that protests. A moment of weakness followed by regret. But when you celebrate someone else's sin — when you applaud the thing you know God calls wrong — the battle is over. You've stopped fighting. You've not just fallen; you've decided the fall was the right direction.

"Who knowing the judgment of God" — this isn't about people who don't know better. This is about people who know. Who understand the consequences. Who have access to the truth. And who, with full knowledge, not only do the thing but build a culture that celebrates it.

This verse is a mirror, not a weapon. Before you use it to diagnose the culture around you, ask: what am I applauding? What behaviors am I celebrating in others that I know, in the quiet of my own conscience, are not what God calls good? The descent doesn't start with applause. But that's where it ends. And if you can still feel the discomfort of this verse, the conscience is still functioning. Don't let it go quiet.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture