Romans 1:32 teaches that people who know God’s standard of right and wrong do not merely commit sinful acts; they also applaud others who do the same. The verse describes a double failure, where knowledge of God’s judgment fails to produce restraint and even turns into approval. Paul wrote it in his letter to the church in Rome, addressing believers and unbelievers alike as part of a larger argument about humanity’s need for God’s righteousness.
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.
Romans 1:32 (WEB)
What Romans 1:32 Means
The verse begins with “knowing the ordinance of God,” which means the people described are not ignorant. Paul assumes that the moral law is known, written on the conscience and revealed in creation, so their wrongdoing cannot be excused by saying they never understood. The phrase “worthy of death” names the just consequence of such practices in God’s sight, a theme Paul develops throughout his letter.
The second half of the verse is the sharper point. Doing wrong is one thing, but “approve of those who practice them” describes a settled posture in which a person calls evil good and cheers it on. The verse does not promise a timetable or a specific punishment for each person, and it does not claim that every sinner is equally aware of God’s law. It describes a pattern Paul saw clearly in the culture around him and in the human heart generally.
The Context of Romans 1:32
Paul is the author, writing to the Christians in Rome around the middle of the first century, and the letter lays out the gospel as the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Before arriving at verse 32, Paul catalogues a long list of vices in verses 29 through 31, including envy, deceit, slander, pride, and disobedience to parents. The list ends with people who are “without natural affection” and “unmerciful,” which sets the stage for the verse’s emphasis on approval.
Read in that setting, the verse is not a bare accusation but the climax of Paul’s case that all people stand in need of God’s mercy. The list shows the damage sin does, and verse 32 shows how far it can go when a person not only falls but begins to encourage others to fall. That context explains why the verse is so serious and why Paul moves on in chapter 2 to say that judging others does not place anyone outside the same problem.
Key Phrases in Romans 1:32
Romans 2:1
Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things.
(WEB)
Paul follows up directly by warning that anyone who judges others is condemning themselves, since they practice the same things. This verse shows that the danger in verse 32 applies to the reader too, not only to those described in the list.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God…
(WEB)
This verse states the universal reach of sin that Paul has been building toward, showing that every person has fallen short of God’s glory. It places the warning of verse 32 within the larger truth that all need the grace that follows.
A Short Prayer From Romans 1:32
Lord, you have written your righteous standard on my heart and made your ways known to me. Forgive me for the times I have excused what I knew was wrong, or cheered on others in what harms them and dishonors you. Soften my conscience where it has grown numb, and give me courage to speak the truth in love when silence would be easier. Thank you that your mercy meets those who turn to you, and help me to walk in your light today. Amen.
