Beginning in this verse Paul describes the moral depravity which results from the rejection of God and the consequent worship of idols. Because men are such fools renders a strong transitional particle in Greek, which appears in the New English Bible as “for this reason” and in the Jerusalem Bible “that is why.” God has given them over is repeated in verses 26 and 28; it describes God’s judgment in abandoning men to their own sinful resources. The implication is that God has deserted them and let them go their own way. The filthy things their hearts desire is a reference to the moral and spiritual depravity of man. This depravity results in the misuse of their bodies: they do shameful things with each other (see also vv. 26-27).

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .