Revealing Opposites in Romans 1

Today I spent some time extracting what I see as parallel opposites that help explain each other in Romans 1 along with context explanations of words and phrases. I particularly was interested in exploring what the word “glory” might mean. These are all things taken directly from the text.

What is glory?

Descriptive of the incorruptible God.

Opposite of an image.

Images come in the form of corruptible man, birds, 4-legged creatures, reptiles.

(Man is the image of God, a reflector of His glory)

This is a movement from higher intelligence to lower and from higher physical position to the lowest.

An image causes lust in the heart to impurity. (Opposite of lust for purity)

Impurity causes dishonor of the body. (Opposite of honor for the reflected image)

Opposite of releasing them, giving them over. (Presumes a previous attachment)

Synonymous with the truth of God vs. the lie.

Opposite of worshiping and serving the created.

Worship and service of the Creator who is blessed forever.

Opposite of degrading passions. (Uplifting passions)

Natural function of the woman. (Listed “for woman” in reference to both women and men.)

Opposite of men burning with desire for other men. (Desire for women?)

Opposite of committing indecent acts with resulting penalties.

Acknowledgment of God.

Opposite of a depraved mind.

Opposite of doing things which are not proper.

Opposite of being filled with the following attributes:

unrighteousness

wickedness

greed

evil

envy

murder

strife

deceit

malice

gossip

slander

hating God

insolence

arrogance

boastfulness

inventing evil

disobedience of parents

without understanding

untrustworthy

unloving

unmerciful

More than just knowing the ordinance of God.

Opposite of giving hearty approval to those who practice these evils.

(More clues for glory going the opposite direction in the chapter starting at verse 22 backwards)

Knowing God AND honoring Him and giving thanks.

Opposite of becoming futile in speculations.

Opposite of foolish and darkened heart.

Opposite of professing to be wise and becoming fools.

Evidence within us of what is known about God.

Invisible attributes of God

His eternal power.

Divine nature.

These have been clearly seen – they are understood through what is made (creation).

Opposite of suppressed truth through unrighteousness.

Opposite of ungodliness.

The gospel.

The power of God for salvation.

Power to everyone who believes (in order of foreknowledge of Him)

God's righteousness.

God's faith that inspires man's faith that he can live by.

Contrasts in Romans 1:

Righteousness of God vs. wrath of God revealed.

Known evidence about God clearly seen and understood vs. futile speculations and suppression of the truth.

God is revealed vs. foolish darkened hearts.

Wise vs. fools.

Worship of higher Creator vs. worship of lower creatures.

Glory vs. image.

Incorruptible God vs. corruptible man, birds etc.

Honor for God vs. dishonor of their own bodies.

The truth of God vs. THE LIE.

Eager to preach the gospel vs. degrading passions and burning with lust.

Feeling under obligation to serve vs. committing indecent acts.

Truth vs. deceit.

Faith vs. lust.

Invisible attributes vs. image in (visible) forms.

Serving in the spirit of the gospel vs. professing to be wise

Longing to see you to impart some spiritual gift vs. lusts of the heart to impurity and burning with homosexual desires.

Evidence of God within them vs. darkened heart.

Obtaining fruit (for God) vs. exploiting others for lust.

Knowledge of God vs. foolish “wisdom”.

Thanking God (8) vs. not giving thanks (21)

Natural function of women vs. unnatural function in homosexual desires.

Salvation (restoration) vs. depraved mind.

Just living by faith vs. professing to be wise.

Encouraged together with you by each other's faith vs. practicing sins worthy of death and giving hearty approval to those who also practice them while knowing the ordinance of God.

Obedience of faith (5) vs. disobedience to parents.

Received grace and apostleship vs. receiving due penalty of their error.

(Obedience for) His name's sake vs. haters of God.

Unashamed of the gospel vs. committing indecent (shameful) acts.

Beloved of God vs. haters of God.

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