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An Exegetical Analysis of Participial Function in Romans 1:27
This exegetical study of Romans 1:27 is based on a b-greek discussion from February 11th, 2014. The original query focused on Romans 1:27, specifically seeking clarification on the classification and temporal relationship between the participles κατεργαζόμενοι and ἀπολαμβάνοντες, and their connection to the main verb ἐξεκαύθησαν. The discussion aimed to understand how these verbal elements contribute to the overall meaning and chronology of the verse.
The main exegetical issue revolves around the precise semantic and temporal function of the two present participles, κατεργαζόμενοι (“working out”) and ἀπολαμβάνοντες (“receiving back”), in relation to the aorist main verb ἐξεκαύθησαν (“were inflamed”) in Romans 1:27. While present participles typically denote action contemporaneous with the main verb, the nature of “receiving back” (retribution) often implies a consequence that might follow an action. This tension between grammatical form (present participle suggesting concurrency) and semantic implication (retribution suggesting sequence) forms the crux of the interpretive challenge, necessitating careful grammatical, lexical, and rhetorical analysis.
Greek text (Nestle 1904)
ὁμοίως τε καὶ οἱ ἄρσενες ἀφέντες τὴν φυσικὴν χρῆσιν τῆς θηλείας ἐξεκαύθησαν ἐν τῇ ὀρέξει αὐτῶν εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἄρσενες ἐν ἄρσεσιν τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην κατεργαζόμενοι καὶ τὴν ἀντιμισθίαν ἣν ἔδει τῆς πλάνης αὐτῶν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀπολαμβάνοντες.
- Key differences with SBLGNT (2010): No textual variants or significant differences are observed between the provided text (Nestle 1904) and the SBLGNT (2010) for Romans 1:27.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
A review of the Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) confirms no textual critical issues are present in Romans 1:27 that would significantly alter the wording or interpretation of the participles under consideration. The passage is textually stable in this regard.
Lexical analysis of key terms provides insight into their semantic range:
- ἐξεκαύθησαν (from ἐκκαίω): This aorist passive indicative verb signifies an intense “burning out” or “being inflamed.” BDAG defines it as “to burn with passion, be inflamed.” KITTEL (TDNT, Vol. 3, p. 770) on καίω notes its use for both destructive burning and consuming passion, implying a complete surrender to desire. The passive voice emphasizes that they were given over to this state.
- κατεργαζόμενοι (from κατεργάζομαι): This present middle participle means “to work out, accomplish, perform, bring about, produce” (BDAG). KITTEL (TDNT, Vol. 2, p. 650) on ἔργον highlights that κατεργάζομαι often denotes bringing a work to full effect, frequently carrying a negative connotation when associated with sin, as it implies the thorough execution of an act. Here, it refers to the persistent performance of shameful acts.
- ἀπολαμβάνοντες (from ἀπολαμβάνω): This present middle participle conveys the idea of “receiving what is due, getting back, obtaining” (BDAG). KITTEL (TDNT, Vol. 4, p. 11) on λαμβάνω specifies ἀπολαμβάνω as receiving what is owed, one’s deserts, often in the context of punishment or retribution. Its use here strongly suggests a deserved outcome or penalty.
- ἀσχημοσύνην: This noun means “indecency, shameful behavior” (BDAG).
- ἀντιμισθίαν: This noun signifies “recompense, retribution” (BDAG), explicitly pointing to a proportional and punitive return.
- ἔδει (from δεῖ): The imperfect indicative of this impersonal verb means “it was necessary” or “it was fitting.” In the context of the relative clause modifying ἀντιμισθίαν, it underscores the inherent and deserved nature of the retribution.
Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The grammatical structure of Romans 1:27 presents a main finite verb, ἐξεκαύθησαν (aorist passive indicative), preceded by an aorist participle, ἀφέντες, and followed by two present participles, κατεργαζόμενοι and ἀπολαμβάνοντες, joined by καί. The participle ἀφέντες (“having abandoned”) is circumstantial, describing a prior or concurrent action that sets the stage for the main verb, functioning likely as a participle of means or attendant circumstance. They were inflamed by abandoning or having abandoned natural relations.
The core interpretive challenge lies in the present participles, κατεργαζόμενοι and ἀπολαμβάνοντες. Present participles typically express action simultaneous with the main verb. Some analyses classify such participles as “elaborations” that provide additional information about the main verb without introducing new event times, functioning as “circumstance participles of manner” or explanatory elements. In this view, the acts of “working out shame” and “receiving back retribution” would be seen as concurrent descriptions of how the males were inflamed or what characterized their inflamed state.
However, the semantic content of “receiving back their due” (ἀπολαμβάνοντες τὴν ἀντιμισθίαν) strongly implies a consequence or result. While grammatically a present participle linked concurrently to the main verb, rhetorically it functions to highlight the inevitable outcome of their actions. Some commentators suggest a temporal progression, where the mental state of being inflamed (ἐξεκαύθησαν) leads to the overt actions (κατεργαζόμενοι), which in turn results in the receiving of retribution (ἀπολαμβάνοντες). This interpretation allows for a conceptual sequence even within the grammatical framework of contemporaneous present participles, perhaps best understood as a simultaneous consequence or an ongoing result that characterizes their state. The linking conjunction καί (“and”) between the two present participles suggests they are parallel in their relationship to the main verb, though their semantic relationship might imply a logical progression (act and its consequence).
The embedded clause ἣν ἔδει τῆς πλάνης αὐτῶν (“which was fitting for their error”) further underscores the retributive nature of ἀντιμισθίαν. The imperfect ἔδει emphasizes that this retribution was necessarily or rightly due, inherent to their transgression, providing a theological grounding for the consequence.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The participles in Romans 1:27 function to elaborate on the nature and consequences of the males’ inflamed passions. While grammatically present participles suggest concurrency with the main verb ἐξεκαύθησαν, the theological and semantic weight of “receiving back retribution” allows for an interpretation that encompasses both descriptive simultaneity and consequential outcome. They are not merely doing these things at the same time they are inflamed, but these actions constitute and result from that state of being given over to passion. The aorist participle ἀφέντες provides the preceding or enabling circumstance.
- Emphasizing ongoing, descriptive actions:
“Similarly, the males also, having abandoned natural relations with females, were inflamed in their lust for one another, males with males performing shameful acts and receiving in themselves the recompense that was fitting for their error.”
This translation highlights the concurrent nature of the participles as ongoing actions that characterize the state of being inflamed, treating both participles as equally descriptive of their behavior and its inherent consequence.
- Emphasizing consequential progression:
“Similarly, the males also, having abandoned natural relations with females, were inflamed in their lust for one another, males with males, resulting in their performing shameful acts and consequently receiving in themselves the recompense that was fitting for their error.”
This option explicitly brings out the consequential aspect, suggesting a logical, if not strictly temporal, progression from the state of inflammation to the shameful acts and their deserved retribution. The participles are understood as expressing the results or outcomes of the main verb.
- Balanced approach, combining simultaneity and inherent consequence:
“Similarly, the males also, having abandoned natural relations with females, were inflamed in their lust for one another, males with males both committing shameful acts and thereby incurring in themselves the recompense that was fitting for their error.”
This translation attempts to bridge the grammatical concurrency with the semantic implication of consequence. “Committing” and “incurring” suggest actions that are part of the same process, with the latter inherently following from the former as part of the total act.
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