Paragraph 1:28–32

1:28a–c

Furthermore: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Furthermore is literally “and.” It indicates that Paul said more about the people he spoke about in 1:18–27.

since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done: Here the word since introduces the reason (they did not see fit to acknowledge God, 1:28a) for the result (He gave them…, 1:28b–c). It does not connect back to 1:27. In some languages using “therefore” at the end of 1:28a would indicate the right connection. For example:

28a they did not see fit to acknowledge God, therefore 28b God gave them up to a depraved mind to do what ought not to be done

1:28a

since: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as since :

(1) It means as here. For example:

just as (New International Version (2011))

(New International Version (2011), New American Standard Bible, King James Version, NET Bible)

(2) It means since here. For example:

Because (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Paul used the Greek root word that means “proved” here and in 1:28b as a point of comparison.

they: Here the word they refers to the people of 1:18–27, not just the men. For example:

those people (Good News Translation)

did not see fit: The Greek words here are more literally “did not approve.” This phrase refers to thinking about whether something is good or bad and deciding it is bad. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

refuse (Good News Translation)
-or-
decided it was worthless

to acknowledge God: Here this phrase refers to continuing to believe that God exists and is involved in their lives and requires something from them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

admit/confess God in their thinking
-or-
they recognize/consider that God exists

1:28b

He gave them up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gave…up refers to putting someone under the control of something or someone else. See how you translated the similar clauses in 1:24 or 1:26.

depraved: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as depraved refers to something that was tested and found worthless. It is similar to “did not see fit” in 1:28a. Here are other ways to translate this word:

debased (New International Version (2011))
-or-
corrupted (Good News Translation)

1:28c

what ought not to be done: This phrase refers to things that are not proper or fitting to be done. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

improper conduct (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
things that should never be done (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what it is not fitting to do

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