King James Version

What Does Romans 1:27 Mean?

Romans 1:27 in the King James Version says “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men ... — study this verse from Romans chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Romans 1:27 · KJV


Context

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. more: or, rather

26

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; to retain: or, to acknowledge a reprobate: or, a mind void of judgment or, an unapproving mind

29

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Paul turns to male homosexuality: homoiōs te kai hoi arsenes aphentes tēn physikēn chrēsin tēs thēleias exekauthēsan en tē orexei autōn eis allēlous (ὁμοίως τε καὶ οἱ ἄρσενες ἀφέντες τὴν φυσικὴν χρῆσιν τῆς θηλείας ἐξεκαύθησαν ἐν τῇ ὀρέξει αὐτῶν εἰς ἀλλήλους, 'likewise also the men, abandoning the natural function of the woman, burned in their desire toward one another'). Aphentes (ἀφέντες, abandoning) indicates willful rejection of God's design. Exekauthēsan (ἐξεκαύθησαν, burned) conveys intense, consuming passion—not mere temptation but active pursuit.

Arsenes en arsesin tēn aschēmosynēn katergazomenoi (ἄρσενες ἐν ἄρσεσιν τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην κατεργαζόμενοι, 'men with men committing shameful acts'). Aschēmosynēn (ἀσχημοσύνη, shameful/indecent act) echoes Leviticus 18:22. Katergazomenoi (κατεργάζομαι, working/accomplishing) implies deliberate action. The consequence: kai tēn antimisthian hēn edei tēs planēs autōn en heautois apolambanontes (καὶ τὴν ἀντιμισθίαν ἣν ἔδει τῆς πλάνης αὐτῶν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀπολαμβάνοντες, 'and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error'). Antimisthian (ἀντιμισθία, recompense/penalty) is retributive justice. Planēs (πλάνης, error/wandering) indicates moral deviation. The penalty is internal—physical, psychological, and spiritual consequences.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's condemnation of homosexual practice is clear and unambiguous, consistent with Old Testament law and Jewish teaching. This was controversial in Greco-Roman society where such practices were normalized. Early Christianity's sexual ethics were radical—calling for chastity outside marriage, fidelity within marriage, and rejection of all sexual immorality (porneia). This countercultural stance was both attractive (offering moral clarity and family stability) and repelling (requiring repentance from cherished sins). The early church maintained this teaching despite cultural pressure, as must the church today.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's teaching challenge modern claims that homosexual desire is part of one's created identity rather than 'error' (πλάνη)?
  2. What 'due penalty' (ἀντιμισθία) does sexual sin bring 'in themselves'—what are the natural consequences Paul may have in mind?
  3. How can churches lovingly call all people (including those with same-sex attraction) to repentance and offer hope in Christ's transforming power?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
ὁμοίως1 of 35

likewise

G3668

similarly

τε2 of 35

And

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

καὶ3 of 35

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ4 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄρσεσιν5 of 35

men

G730

male (as stronger for lifting)

ἀφέντες6 of 35

leaving

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

τὴν7 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φυσικὴν8 of 35

the natural

G5446

"physical", i.e., (by implication) instinctive

χρῆσιν9 of 35

use

G5540

employment, i.e., (specially), sexual intercourse (as an occupation of the body)

τῆς10 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θηλείας11 of 35

of the woman

G2338

female

ἐξεκαύθησαν12 of 35

burned

G1572

to inflame deeply

ἐν13 of 35

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ14 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀρέξει15 of 35

lust

G3715

excitement of the mind, i.e., longing after

αὐτῶν16 of 35
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἰς17 of 35

one toward another

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἀλλήλους18 of 35
G240

one another

ἄρσεσιν19 of 35

men

G730

male (as stronger for lifting)

ἐν20 of 35

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἄρσεσιν21 of 35

men

G730

male (as stronger for lifting)

τὴν22 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀσχημοσύνην23 of 35

that which is unseemly

G808

an indecency; by implication, the pudenda

κατεργαζόμενοι24 of 35

working

G2716

to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion

καὶ25 of 35

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν26 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀντιμισθίαν27 of 35

that recompence

G489

requital, correspondence

ἣν28 of 35

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἔδει29 of 35

was meet

G1163

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

τῆς30 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλάνης31 of 35

error

G4106

objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety

αὐτῶν32 of 35
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν33 of 35

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἑαυτοῖς34 of 35

themselves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἀπολαμβάνοντες35 of 35

receiving

G618

to receive (specially, in full, or as a host); also to take aside


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 1:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 1:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study