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(1)
They changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness
of corruptible man, etc.
(2)
They exchanged the truth of God for the lie.
(3)
They exchanged a natural use for that which was against nature.
There is a slight alteration in the words translated `change' in these
verses in the A.V. We have attempted to indicate the difference by using
`change' and `exchange'. First they changed the glory of God without
actually giving up God altogether, but this soon led to the next step, for
they exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and then worshipped and served
the creature more than the Creator. It is not possible for God to take
second place. `Ye cannot serve God and Mammon'.
Into the third item we cannot go. The defiling character of idolatry
may be gathered from its annals, and we do not feel that any good purpose
would be served by elaborating this revolting subject here. At the same time
we know only too well that human nature is not a whit better today than when
it openly practised the sins condemned in Romans 1. We need faithfully to
warn the rising generation, speaking very tenderly and lovingly, yet
nevertheless plainly; for Babylonianism in all its forms is rising like a
flood (1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. 3:1-8), and the book of the Revelation reveals
the evils of Romans 1 in a superlative degree. We need not go so far into
the future as the book of the Revelation however, for 2 Timothy 3:1-8 uses
many of the words of Romans 1 to describe the perilous times at the close of
this present dispensation. The sequence of the apostasy and its relation to
the development of the mystery of iniquity, otherwise called `the lie', and
the mystery of godliness, otherwise called `the truth', can be traced through
Paul's epistles. Taking the statements of Romans 1 we find them worked out
in the other epistles.
(1)
`As God'. `The creature more
`The man of sin ... as God' than
the Creator'.
(2Thess. 2:3,4).
(2)
`The lie'.
`The truth'.
`They received not the love of
the truth ... they ...
believe the lie' (2:10,11).
(3)
`Given up to an undiscerning mind'. `God shall send them strong
delusion' (2:11).
(4)
`Pleasure in them that do them'.
`Had pleasure in
unrighteousness' (2:12).
(5)
`Neither were thankful'.
`God hath created to be received
with thanksgiving of them
which believe and know the
truth' (1 Tim. 4:3).
A comparison of the list of sins in Romans 1 with that of 2 Timothy
3:1-7 shows how completely the parallel is recorded. The reader may supply
further parallels by studying the intervening epistles.
The Lie