Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 1:24

24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodyes between themselves e.

Their impiety was the cause of what followed: This is repeated again, that it may be the better observed; The Contempt of God and of Religion, is the cause of all Wickedness.

This Phrase is thrice used in this Context, viz. ver. 24.26, 28. it seems to be taken out of Psal. 81.12. Some think, His giving them up, is only his with-drawing his Grace from them, and permitting them to Sin; but there seems to be more in it, than a bare Substraction or Permission. He did not only leave them to themselves, but in a judicial way▪ He put them into the hands of Satan, and of their own Lusts; as 'tis said, Psal. 69.27. He added iniquity to their iniquity, making the latter Iniquity a Punishment of the former.

Some read it in themselves ▪ and some read it one amongst another; so the same Word is rendered, Eph. 4.32. Col. 3.13. The Apostle here speaks more generally of all kind of Pollution and Uncleanness that was committed by them, whether natural or unnatural.

Marginal references: Or, in the [illegible: 1 word] of their [illegible: 1 word] hearts, un [illegible: 1 letter]le[illegible: 1 letter]ness.