1:32a–c
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things: The word Although indicates that the clause they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death is true. It also indicates that despite that being true, these people did such things anyway (the meaning of the clause they not only continue to do these things that is important here). Here are other ways to indicate this connection:
Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them (English Standard Version)
-or-
They know that God’s law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things (Good News Translation)
-or-
It is true that they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, but they not only do them
1:32a
they know: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as know often implies knowing something well. These people were not unsure; they knew full well what God has commanded and that the people who do those things Paul listed in 1:29–31 are worthy of God killing them for those deeds. For example:
they fully know (NET Bible)
It implies that people are without excuse when they do those bad things. But in many languages know clearly indicates that, without adding “fully” here.
God’s righteous decree: The word decree here refers to people knowing such people are worthy of death and that it is God who will cause that punishment of death to be carried out. That knowledge is based on what they learned about God from looking at the world (1:20). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
God’s statement
-or-
God has said that (Contemporary English Version)
The word decree probably does not refer only to the laws that God gave Moses in the Old Testament. Do not translate this phrase in any way that only indicates the Laws of Moses.
decree: The word decree refers to a rule of “do not do this” or “do that.” See the examples above.
1:32b
do such things: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as do refers simply to doing something. Here are other ways to translate this word:
are doing those things/deeds
-or-
live in those ways
such things: This phrase refers to the evil deeds listed in 1:28–31. See the examples above.
are worthy of death: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worthy of death indicates that the right thing to happen is that the people who do those evil deeds should die because they did them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
should die (New Century Version)
-or-
fit to be punished by death
-or-
God will mark them for death
-or-
God says that…they will perish
1:32c–d
they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them: The words not only…but indicate that these people do both things (continue to do these things and approve of those who practice them). It also emphasizes the second thing. Here are other ways to translate these words:
they continue to do these things, and even more, approve of those who practice them
-or-
yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
But they keep on doing evil things, and they even encourage others to do them. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
they continue to do them nonetheless. And not only that, but they also praise/honor other people who do things like that.
they…continue to do these things: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as do indicates that these people do them more than once, probably many times. For example:
they…continue to do them
-or-
they still do behavior like that
1:32d
approve of: Here this phrase indicates that these people agree that other people should do the same as they and say it is good. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
they are very happy to see
-or-
happily agree with
practice: Here the word practice refers to doing something often, as in 1:32b.
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