As we saw in our study of Romans this past Sunday, the first chapter of the letter closes with a grim description of man’s depravity. In verses 24–32, the Apostle Paul expounds upon the wrath of God as revealed in the corruption of the hearts, minds, and lives of those who rebel against Him. Three times Paul notes that God “gave them up” (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28) - the phrase has a harrowing echo throughout the passage, underscoring God’s just judgment against sin. The chapter leaves us longing for redemption.

It is against that gloomy backdrop that the hope of the gospel shines so brightly. God’s grace brings life and light out of the deep darkness of our former condition as the Lord Jesus creates a people for His name, giving us new hearts and minds that long for Him. In his commentary on the book of Romans, Kent Hughes creatively reflects on Romans 1:24–32 and reverses Paul’s thoughts as he meditates on the transforming power of the gospel in order to paint a picture of how the grace of Jesus practically transforms the lives of His people. As we close the first chapter of Romans, let us pray that God would do the deep work of reversing sin’s effects in hearts, minds, and lives so that we might be characterized by these words:

"Therefore, God gave them up in their hearts to self-control and purity, that their bodies might be honored among them. For they kept and cherished the truth of God and worshiped and served the Creator, who is blessed forever, rather than the creature. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to pure and wholesome lives, lived with carefree ease even in the most intimate relations so that all received in their own persons the due reward of their fidelity. And just as they saw fit to acknowledge God in all things, God gave them up to a sound mind, to do those things which are proper, being filled with all righteousness, goodness, generosity, kindness; full of selflessness, life, healing, openness, kindliness; they are gentle in speech, always building others up, lovers of God, respectful, humble, self effacing, inventors of good, obedient to parents, understanding, trustworthy, loving, merciful; and as they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are possessors of life, they do the same, and give hearty approval to those who do likewise." [1]

[1] Hughes, R. Kent. Romans: Righteousness from Heaven. Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 39.