The Meaning of Romans 1:25 Explained

Romans 1:25

KJV: 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.

YLT: who did change the truth of God into a falsehood, and did honour and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed to the ages. Amen.

Darby: who changed the truth of God into falsehood, and honoured and served the creature more than him who had created it, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Romans 1:25 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 1:24-32 - From Gross Sins Of The Flesh
Few men knew as much as did Paul of the unutterableness of human need. In terrible words he enumerates its various aspects. Truth would enter human hearts from God's work in nature and from conscience, yet men pull down the blind and close the curtain. It is not that they do not know, but that they refuse to have God in their knowledge. They shun the thought of God, Psalms 10:4. They will not lift their happy faces toward Him with filial confidence. Thus a heavy darkness steals over them and veils His presence.
The next downward step is uncleanness; and when once men have deliberately chosen the downward path, there is nothing to stop them. They go headlong from one point to another in their descent into darkness. When our hearts turn from the purifying presence of God, they become the haunt of every foul bird and noisome reptile. What a marvel it is that out of such material God can even create saints! [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 1

1  Paul commends his calling to the Romans;
9  and his desire to come to them
16  What his gospel is
18  God is angry with sin
21  What were the sins of mankind

Greek Commentary for Romans 1:25

Exchanged [μετηλλαχαν]
First aorist active indicative of μεταλλασσω — metallassō old word for exchanging trade, only here and Romans 1:26 in N.T. What a bargain they made, “the truth of God for (εν — en) the (τωι — tōi) lie.” “The price of mythology” (Bengel). [source]
Worshipped [εσεβαστησαν]
First aorist passive (used transitively) of σεβαζομαι — sebazomai old verb, used in late Greek like σεβομαι — sebomai to worship. Rather than the Creator (παρα τον κτισαντα — para ton ktisanta). Placed side by side (παρα — para the Creator and the creature, κτισις — ktisis) 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 Romans 9:5. Ευλογητος — Eulogētos is verbal of ευλογεω — eulogeō f0). [source]
Rather than the Creator [παρα τον κτισαντα]
Placed side by side (παρα — para the Creator and the creature, κτισις — ktisis) they preferred the creature. [source]
Who is blessed forever. Amen [ος εστιν ευλογητοσ Αμην]
One of Paul‘s doxologies which may come at any moment when he is greatly stirred, as in Romans 9:5. Ευλογητος — Eulogētos is verbal of ευλογεω — eulogeō f0). [source]
Who changed [οἵτινες μετήλλαξαν]
Rev., for that they exchanged. The double relative specifies the class to which they belonged, and thereby includes the reason for their punishment. He gave them up as being those who, etc. Μετήλλαξαν exchanged(so Rev.), is stronger than the simple verb in Romans 1:23. Godet renders travestied. Compare the same word in Romans 1:26. [source]
Truth of God []
Equivalent to the true God. [source]
Into a lie [ἐν τῷ ψεύδει]
Better, as Rev., exchanged, etc., for a lie. Lit., the lie; a general abstract expression for the whole body of false gods. Bengel remarks, “the price of mythology.” [source]
Worshipped and served [ἐσεβάσθησαν καὶ ἐλάτρευσαν]
The former of worship generally; the latter of worship through special rites or sacrifices. On the latter verb, see on Revelation 22:3. [source]
More than the Creator [παρά]
The preposition indicates passing by the Creator altogether; not merely giving preference to the creature. Hence Rev., rather than. Compare Luke 18:14, where the approved reading is παρ ' ἐκεῖνον ratherthan the other, implying that the Pharisee was in no respect justified. [source]
Blessed [εὐλογητὸς]
See on 1 Peter 1:3. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 1:25

Romans 14:5 One day above another [ημεραν παρ ημεραν]
“Day beyond day.” For this use of παρα — para (beside) in comparison see note on Romans 1:25 and note on Luke 13:2. Be fully assured (πληροπορειστω — plērophoreisthō). Present passive imperative of πληροπορεω — plērophoreō late compound verb for which see note on Luke 1:1 and note on Romans 4:21. In his own mind Intelligent and honest decision according to the light possessed by each. [source]
Romans 4:5 That justifieth the ungodly [τον δικαιουντα τον ασεβη]
The impious, irreverent man. See Romans 1:25. A forensic figure (Shedd). The man is taken as he is and pardoned. “The whole Pauline gospel could be summed up in this one word - God who justifies the ungodly” (Denney). [source]
2 Corinthians 11:31 Blessed, etc. []
See on Romans 9:5, and compare Romans 1:25. [source]
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed [ευλογητος]
From old verb ευλογεω — eulogeō to speak well of, but late verbal in lxx and Philo. Used of men in Genesis 24:31, but only of God in N.T. as in Luke 1:68 and chiefly in Paul (2 Corinthians 11:31; Romans 1:25). Paul has no thanksgiving or prayer as in 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, but he finds his basis for gratitude in God, not in them. [source]
2 Corinthians 11:31 I am not lying [ου πσευδομαι]
The list seems so absurd and foolish that Paul takes solemn oath about it (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:23). For the doxology see note on Romans 1:25, note on Romans 9:5. [source]
Ephesians 2:10 Created [κτισθέντες]
See on John 1:3. The verb originally means to make habitable, to people. Hence to found. God is called κτίστης creator 1 Peter 4:19, and ὁ κτίσας hethat created, Romans 1:25. Compare Revelation 4:11. Κτίσις is used of the whole sum of created things, Mark 10:6; Romans 8:22. [source]
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed [ευλογητος]
Verbal of ευλογεω — eulogeō common in the lxx for Hebrew baruk (Vulgate benedictus) and applied usually to God, sometimes to men (Genesis 24:31), but in N.T. always to God (Luke 1:68), while ευλογημενος — eulogēmenos (perfect passive participle) is applied to men (Luke 1:42). “While ευλογημενος — eulogēmenos points to an isolated act or acts, ευλογητος — eulogētos describes the intrinsic character” (Lightfoot). Instead of the usual ευχαριστουμεν — eucharistoumen (Colossians 1:3) Paul here uses ευλογητος — eulogētos elsewhere only in 2 Corinthians 1:3 in opening, though in a doxology in Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 11:31. The copula here is probably εστιν — estin (is), though either εστω — estō (imperative) or ειη — eiē (optative as wish) will make sense. [source]
Colossians 1:16 In him were created [εν αυτωι εκτιστη]
Paul now gives the reason It is the constative aorist passive indicative εκτιστη — ektisthē (from κτιζω — ktizō old verb, to found, to create (Romans 1:25). This central activity of Christ in the work of creation is presented also in John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2 and is a complete denial of the Gnostic philosophy. The whole of creative activity is summed up in Christ including the angels in heaven and everything on earth. God wrought through “the Son of his love.” All earthly dignities are included. Have been created (εκτισται — ektistai). Perfect passive indicative of κτιζω — ktizō “stand created,” “remain created.” The permanence of the universe rests, then, on Christ far more than on gravity. It is a Christo-centric universe. Through him As the intermediate and sustaining agent. He had already used εν αυτωι — en autōi (in him) as the sphere of activity. And unto him (και εις αυτον — kai eis auton). This is the only remaining step to take and Paul takes it (1 Corinthians 15:28) See note on Ephesians 1:10 for similar use of εν αυτωι — en autōi of Christ and in Colossians 1:19, Colossians 1:20 again we have εν αυτωι δι αυτου εις αυτον — en autōiclass="normal greek">δι ον — di' autouclass="normal greek">δι ου — eis auton used of Christ. See note on Hebrews 2:10 for τα παντα — di' hon (because of whom) and εχ αυτου και δι αυτου και εις αυτον τα παντα — di' hou (by means of whom) applied to God concerning the universe (εχ — ta panta). In Romans 11:35 we find εν — ex autou kai di' autou kai eis auton ta panta referring to God. But Paul does not use δια — ex in this connection of Christ, but only εις — en εχ — dia and δια — eis See the same distinction preserved in 1 Corinthians 8:6 (ex of God, dia of Christ). [source]
Colossians 1:23 Preached [κηρυχτεντος]
First aorist passive participle of κηρυσσω — kērussō to herald, to proclaim. In all creation (εν πασηι κτισει — en pasēi ktisei). Κτισις — Ktisis is the act of founding (Romans 1:20) from κτιζω — ktizō (Colossians 1:16), then a created thing (Romans 1:25), then the sum of created things as here and Revelation 3:14. It is hyperbole, to be sure, but Paul does not say that all men are converted, but only that the message has been heralded abroad over the Roman Empire in a wider fashion than most people imagine. A minister General term for service Our “deacon” is this word transliterated and given a technical meaning as in Philemon 1:1. [source]
Colossians 1:23 Pistei []
is in the locative case (in faith). Grounded (τετεμελιωμενοι — tethemeliōmenoi). Perfect passive participle of τεμελιοω — themelioō old verb from τεμελιος — themelios (adjective, from τεμα — thema from τιτημι — tithēmi laid down as a foundation, substantive, 1 Corinthians 3:11.). Picture of the saint as a building like Ephesians 2:20. Steadfast Old adjective from εδρα — hedra (seat). In N.T. only here, 1 Corinthians 7:37; 1 Corinthians 15:58. Metaphor of seated in a chair. Not moved away (μη μετακινουμενοι — mē metakinoumenoi). Present passive participle (with negative μη — mē) of μετακινεω — metakineō old verb, to move away, to change location, only here in N.T. Negative statement covering the same ground. From the hope of the gospel Ablative case with απο — apo The hope given by or in the gospel and there alone. Which ye heard (ου ηκουσατε — hou ēkousate). Genitive case of relative either by attraction or after ηκουσατε — ēkousate The Colossians had in reality heard the gospel from Epaphras. Preached First aorist passive participle of κηρυσσω — kērussō to herald, to proclaim. In all creation (εν πασηι κτισει — en pasēi ktisei). Κτισις — Ktisis is the act of founding (Romans 1:20) from κτιζω — ktizō (Colossians 1:16), then a created thing (Romans 1:25), then the sum of created things as here and Revelation 3:14. It is hyperbole, to be sure, but Paul does not say that all men are converted, but only that the message has been heralded abroad over the Roman Empire in a wider fashion than most people imagine. A minister General term for service Our “deacon” is this word transliterated and given a technical meaning as in Philemon 1:1. [source]
Colossians 1:23 Steadfast [εδραιοι]
Old adjective from εδρα — hedra (seat). In N.T. only here, 1 Corinthians 7:37; 1 Corinthians 15:58. Metaphor of seated in a chair. Not moved away (μη μετακινουμενοι — mē metakinoumenoi). Present passive participle (with negative μη — mē) of μετακινεω — metakineō old verb, to move away, to change location, only here in N.T. Negative statement covering the same ground. From the hope of the gospel Ablative case with απο — apo The hope given by or in the gospel and there alone. Which ye heard (ου ηκουσατε — hou ēkousate). Genitive case of relative either by attraction or after ηκουσατε — ēkousate The Colossians had in reality heard the gospel from Epaphras. Preached First aorist passive participle of κηρυσσω — kērussō to herald, to proclaim. In all creation (εν πασηι κτισει — en pasēi ktisei). Κτισις — Ktisis is the act of founding (Romans 1:20) from κτιζω — ktizō (Colossians 1:16), then a created thing (Romans 1:25), then the sum of created things as here and Revelation 3:14. It is hyperbole, to be sure, but Paul does not say that all men are converted, but only that the message has been heralded abroad over the Roman Empire in a wider fashion than most people imagine. A minister General term for service Our “deacon” is this word transliterated and given a technical meaning as in Philemon 1:1. [source]
Colossians 1:23 From the hope of the gospel [απο της ελπιδος του ευαγγελιου]
Ablative case with απο — apo The hope given by or in the gospel and there alone. Which ye heard (ου ηκουσατε — hou ēkousate). Genitive case of relative either by attraction or after ηκουσατε — ēkousate The Colossians had in reality heard the gospel from Epaphras. Preached First aorist passive participle of κηρυσσω — kērussō to herald, to proclaim. In all creation (εν πασηι κτισει — en pasēi ktisei). Κτισις — Ktisis is the act of founding (Romans 1:20) from κτιζω — ktizō (Colossians 1:16), then a created thing (Romans 1:25), then the sum of created things as here and Revelation 3:14. It is hyperbole, to be sure, but Paul does not say that all men are converted, but only that the message has been heralded abroad over the Roman Empire in a wider fashion than most people imagine. A minister General term for service Our “deacon” is this word transliterated and given a technical meaning as in Philemon 1:1. [source]
Colossians 1:23 In all creation [εν πασηι κτισει]
Κτισις — Ktisis is the act of founding (Romans 1:20) from κτιζω — ktizō (Colossians 1:16), then a created thing (Romans 1:25), then the sum of created things as here and Revelation 3:14. It is hyperbole, to be sure, but Paul does not say that all men are converted, but only that the message has been heralded abroad over the Roman Empire in a wider fashion than most people imagine. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:11 A lie [τῷ ψεύδει]
Properly, the lie. The article gives the generic sense, falsehood in all its forms. Comp. John 8:44; Romans 1:25; Ephesians 4:25. Comp. the contrast of truth and unrighteousness in 2 Thessalonians 2:12. All wrongdoing has an element of falsity. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who [οιτινες]
Qualitative use, such as. Vanishing in papyri though surviving in Paul (1 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 1:25; Galatians 4:26; Philemon 4:3). [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:11 A working of error [ενεργειαν πλανης]
Terrible result of wilful rejection of the truth of God. That they should believe a lie (εις το πιστευσαι αυτους τωι πσευδει — eis to pisteusai autous tōi pseudei). Note εις το — eis to again and τωι πσευδει — tōi pseudei (the lie, the falsehood already described), a contemplated result. Note Romans 1:25 “who changed the truth of God into the lie.” [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:11 That they should believe a lie [εις το πιστευσαι αυτους τωι πσευδει]
Note εις το — eis to again and τωι πσευδει — tōi pseudei (the lie, the falsehood already described), a contemplated result. Note Romans 1:25 “who changed the truth of God into the lie.” [source]
2 Timothy 1:3 I serve [λατρεύω]
In Pastorals only here. Comp. Romans 1:9, Romans 1:25; Philemon 3:3. Frequent in Hebrews. Originally, to serve for hire. In N.T. both of ritual service, as Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:2; Hebrews 13:10; and of worship or service generally, as Luke 1:74; Romans 1:9. Especially of the service rendered to God by the Israelites as his peculiar people, as Acts 26:7. Comp. λατρεία service Romans 9:4; Hebrews 9:1, Hebrews 9:6. In lxx always of the service of God or of heathen deities. [source]
1 Peter 2:13 Every ordinance of man [πασηι αντρωπινηι κτισει]
Dative case of old and common word κτισις — ktisis (from κτιζω — ktizō to create, to found), act of creation (Romans 1:20), a creature or creation (Romans 1:25), all creation (Colossians 1:15), an institution as here (in Pindar so). For αντρωπινος — anthrōpinos (human) see James 3:7. Peter here approves no special kind of government, but he supports law and order as Paul does (Romans 13:1-8) unless it steps in between God and man (Acts 4:20).For the Lord‘s sake (δια τον κυριον — dia ton kurion). For Jesus‘ sake. That is reason enough for the Christian not to be an anarchist (Matthew 22:21). The heathen were keen to charge the Christians with any crime after Nero set the fashion. “It should not be forgotten that, in spite of the fine language of the philosophers, the really popular religions in Greece and Rome were forms of devil-worship, intimately blended with magic in all its grades” (Bigg).As supreme Dative singular of present active participle of υπερεχω — huperechō old verb (intransitive), to stand out above (to have it over), as in Romans 13:1. It is not the divine right of kings, but the fact of the king as the outstanding ruler. [source]
Revelation 22:15 Every one that loveth and maketh a lie [πας πιλων και ποιων πσευδος]
An interpretation of πασιν τοις πσευδεσιν — pāsin tois pseudesin (all liars) of Revelation 21:8 and of ποιων πσευδος — poiōn pseudos (doing a lie) of Revelation 21:27. Satan is the father of lying (John 8:44) and Satan‘s home is a congenial place for those who love and practise lying (2 Thessalonians 2:12). See 1 John 1:6 for not doing the truth and see also Romans 1:25; Ephesians 4:25. [source]
Revelation 22:15 The dogs [οι κυνες]
Not literal dogs, but the morally impure (Deuteronomy 23:18; 2 Kings 8:13; Psalm 22:17, Psalm 22:21; Matthew 7:6; Mark 7:27; Philemon 3:3). Dogs in the Oriental cities are the scavengers and excite unspeakable contempt.The sorcerers (οι παρμακοι — hoi pharmakoi). As in Revelation 21:8, where are listed “the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters,” all “outside” the holy city here as there “in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, the second death.” Both are pictures (symbolic language) of hell, the eternal absence from fellowship with God. Another time Jesus spoke of “the outer darkness” (εις το σκοτος το εχωτερον — eis to skotos to exōteron Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 25:30), outside of lighted house, as the abode of the damned. Another symbol is the worm that dies not (Mark 9:48).Every one that loveth and maketh a lie An interpretation of πασιν τοις πσευδεσιν — pāsin tois pseudesin (all liars) of Revelation 21:8 and of ποιων πσευδος — poiōn pseudos (doing a lie) of Revelation 21:27. Satan is the father of lying (John 8:44) and Satan‘s home is a congenial place for those who love and practise lying (2 Thessalonians 2:12). See 1 John 1:6 for not doing the truth and see also Romans 1:25; Ephesians 4:25. [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 1:25 mean?

who changed the truth - of God into the falsehood and reverenced served the created thing beyond the [One] having created [it] who is blessed to the ages Amen
οἵτινες μετήλλαξαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν τῷ ψεύδει καὶ ἐσεβάσθησαν ἐλάτρευσαν τῇ κτίσει παρὰ τὸν Κτίσαντα ὅς ἐστιν εὐλογητὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας ἀμήν

μετήλλαξαν  changed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: μεταλλάσσω  
Sense: to exchange, change.
ἀλήθειαν  truth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλήθεια  
Sense: objectively.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἐν  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐν 
Sense: in, by, with etc.
ψεύδει  falsehood 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ψεῦδος  
Sense: a lie.
ἐσεβάσθησαν  reverenced 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: σεβάζομαι  
Sense: to fear, be afraid.
ἐλάτρευσαν  served 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λατρεύω  
Sense: to serve for hire.
κτίσει  created  thing 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: κτίσις  
Sense: the act of founding, establishing, building etc.
παρὰ  beyond 
Parse: Preposition
Root: παρά  
Sense: from, of at, by, besides, near.
τὸν  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Κτίσαντα  having  created  [it] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: κτίζω  
Sense: to make habitable, to people, a place, region, island.
εὐλογητὸς  blessed 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: εὐλογητός  
Sense: blessed, praised.
αἰῶνας  ages 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: αἰών  
Sense: for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity.
ἀμήν  Amen 
Parse: Hebrew Word
Root: ἀμήν  
Sense: firm.