Romans 1:32
“who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.”
What does Romans 1:32 mean?
Paul is describing people who understand God's standards (from creation and conscience) yet not only break those standards themselves, but actively encourage others to do the same. It's a portrait of willful rebellion that goes beyond personal wrongdoing to celebrating and spreading harm in others. What makes this verse particularly sobering is that final phrase about approval. We can rationalize our own mistakes, but when we start affirming destructive choices in others, we're doubling down on our distance from God's design. Paul's point isn't to shame anyone in a hard season, but to show how easily we can drift from recognizing truth to defending the very things that hurt us and those around us.