ROMANS 1 : 18—32. 37

vidence and Spirit, and gave them up to the dominion of their own wicked passions. The construction of this verse is rather doubtful. It may be construed, as by our translators, 'he delivered them to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts,' or ' he gave them up to the unclean lusts of their hearts ;' the words rendered unto uncleanness being then made to qualify the word for lusts or desires ,- see vs. 26, 28, for the same con- struction. To dishonour their own bodies betiveen themselves. This infinitive to dishonour (which in the Greek has the article in the genitive before it) may be simply explanatory of the word uncleanness, ' the uncleanness of dishonouring their bodies,' i. e. which consisted therein ; or it may ex- press the object or result. Here, of course, the latter view of the passage is to be preferred, * so that they dishonoured,' &c. The natural conse- quence of turning from God is the destruction of all the better governing feelings of our nature; so that there is nothing to restrain us from sink- ing into the most degrading vices. The soul, when turned from God, is turned from its only proper object and portion, and therefore is destitute of support and restraint. The same sentiment which is expressed in this and the preceding verses, is repeated in those which immediately follow. (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, &c. ' God delivered them up, because they were such as those who changed.' The connexion between this verse and the preceding one is thus obvious. This verse may be better rendered ' who exchanged the truth of God for a lie,' see v. 23. The t7'uth of God may mean the true God ; and a lie, a false god, which is a lie, a mere deception. The word is applied to any thing which is not what it professes, or is supposed to be. Hence, false doctrines are called a lie, 2Thess. 2:11; and false gods, in the Old Testament, are also so called, compare Jer. 13 : 25. Ps. 31 : 6. The sense of the passage would then be, ' who exchange the true, for a false god.' Or the passage may mean ' who exchange the truth concerning God, for a false conception of his character.' The general idea is, in either case, the same. And wor- ship and serve the creature more than the Creator. This clause is an ampli- fication of the preceding. They exchanged the true God for idols, and worshipped the creature rather than Creator. Worship and serve; the former of these words refers more directly to the inward homage of the heart, and the latter, to the outward expression of it. The word rendered more than may be rendered rather than, ' They worshipped the creature instead of the Creator.' When the sacred writers speak of God as neg- lected or insulted by men, they commonly add an expression of reverence and pious awe, as well to show the wickedness of those who forsake such a God, as to relieve their own hearts. Thus Paul renders clearer the sin of those who worship the creature rather than the Creator, by declar- ing him to be worthy of all praise. Who is blessed for ever. Amen. Blessed, i. e. worthy to be praised, or reverenced. Amen is a Hebrew word, signifying true, and also truth. When used adverbially at the be- ginning of a sentence, it expresses afl[irmation or assurance, verily : at the end, it expresses desire or approbation, so let it be, or it is true. It is