Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Epistle to the Romans, Chapter 1ΠΡΟΣ ΡΩΜΑΙΟΥΣ Α′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Παῦλος δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, κλητὸς ἀπόστολος, ἀφωρισμένος εἰς εὐαγγέλιον θεοῦ,

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, a called apostle, set apart for the gospel of God —

Letter openingasyndetonThe epistolary superscription: sender named, his standing trebly defined (slave, called apostle, set apart) — already oriented to the gospel.
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject (nominative of address/superscription)Παῦλος: the apostle's Roman cognomen; the Greek letter-opening names the sender first.
δοῦλοςslaveNominativepredicate nom. / apposition to Παῦλοςδοῦλος: bondservant, slave — total belonging to a master; a title of honor in the LXX prophets (δοῦλος κυρίου).
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession (ownership)Χριστός: 'Anointed,' the Messiah; here functionally a name-title for Jesus.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to Χριστοῦ
κλητὸςcalledNominativeattributive adj. (apposition)κλητός: 'called'; verbal adj. of καλέω — apostleship is by divine summons, not self-appointment.
ἀπόστολοςapostleNominativeapposition to Παῦλοςἀπόστολος: 'one sent,' commissioned envoy; from ἀποστέλλω (send with authority).
ἀφωρισμένοςset apartPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀφορίζωperfect ptc. in apposition→ intensive perfect (settled state)ἀφορίζω: 'mark off, set apart' (ἀπό + ὁρίζω, 'a boundary'); perhaps a play on 'Pharisee' (the 'separated' one) now separated for the gospel.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
εὐαγγέλιονgospelAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)εὐαγγέλιον: 'good news'; in the Greco-Roman world an imperial accession announcement — here God's saving proclamation.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/authorθεός: God; the gospel's origin and author, not merely its subject.
2

ὃ προεπηγγείλατο διὰ τῶν προφητῶν αὐτοῦ ἐν γραφαῖς ἁγίαις

which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures

Relative expansionA relative clause anchoring the gospel in prior promise — it is not novel but pre-announced in Scripture.
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of προεπηγγείλατο)
προεπηγγείλατοhe promised beforehandAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προεπαγγέλλομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπροεπαγγέλλομαι: 'promise beforehand' (προ- + ἐπαγγέλλομαι); the προ- stresses the gospel's antecedent announcement.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/means)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
προφητῶνprophetsGenitivegenitive of intermediate agencyπροφήτης: 'one who speaks forth' (for God); the OT spokesmen through whom the promise came.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
γραφαῖςScripturesDativedat. of sphere (locus of the promise)γραφή: 'writing,' Scripture; the plural denotes the sacred writings collectively.
ἁγίαιςholyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the Scriptures are consecrated, of divine origin.
3

περὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ τοῦ γενομένου ἐκ σπέρματος Δαυὶδ κατὰ σάρκα,

concerning his Son, who came from the seed of David according to the flesh,

Content of the gospelπερὶThe gospel's content is God's Son; the first member of a two-line confession — Davidic descent 'according to flesh.'
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitiveobject of περί (the gospel's theme)υἱός: 'Son'; the gospel is christological at its core — about God's Son.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γενομένουwho came/was bornAor Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · γίνομαιattributive participle→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; of birth/origin here — the Son entered the Davidic line.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
σπέρματοςseedGenitivegenitive of source (origin)σπέρμα: 'seed, offspring'; lineage/posterity — the Davidic descent of messianic promise (2 Sam 7).
Δαυὶδof DavidGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Δαυίδ: David; the messianic ancestry establishing royal credentials.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of κατά (sphere of reference)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here the sphere of human descent/earthly existence, not yet the ethical 'flesh' of ch. 7–8.
4

τοῦ ὁρισθέντος υἱοῦ θεοῦ ἐν δυνάμει κατὰ πνεῦμα ἁγιωσύνης ἐξ ἀναστάσεως νεκρῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν,

who was appointed Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead — Jesus Christ our Lord,

Content of the gospelasyndetonThe confession's second line: by resurrection the Son is installed Son-of-God-in-power; the formula resolves in the full name and title.
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὁρισθέντοςwho was appointed/declaredAor Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ὁρίζωattributive participle (parallel to γενομένου)→ constative aoristὁρίζω: 'mark out, appoint, declare' (cf. 'horizon'); not 'made' Son but installed in a new powerful status.
υἱοῦSonGenitivepredicate gen. (complement of ὁρισθέντος)υἱός: 'Son'; 'Son-of-God-in-power' as the resurrection enthronement title (cf. Ps 2:7).
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)
δυνάμειpowerDativedat. of manner ('in power')δύναμις: 'power, might'; qualifies the new state — Son-of-God-in-power, vs. the lowliness of v.3.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativeobject of κατά (sphere/agent)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit/spirit'; the antithetical counterpart to κατὰ σάρκα — the sphere of the Spirit.
ἁγιωσύνηςof holinessGenitiveattributive genitive (quality)ἁγιωσύνη: 'holiness'; a Semitic-flavored genitive of quality — 'the Spirit characterized by holiness.'
ἐξby/frompreposition + genitive (source/cause)
ἀναστάσεωςresurrectionGenitivegenitive of cause/temporal sourceἀνάστασις: 'resurrection, rising up'; the turning-point event that effects the appointment.
νεκρῶνof the deadGenitivegenitive (partitive/separation)νεκρός: 'dead (one)'; 'from among the dead,' marking the bodily resurrection.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegen. in apposition (summing the confession)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveapposition (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX rendering of YHWH, here confessed of Jesus — the climactic title.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
5

δι' οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καὶ ἀποστολὴν εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ,

through whom we received grace and apostleship for the obedience of faith among all the nations on behalf of his name,

Apostolic commissionδι' οὗFrom the Son flows Paul's commission: grace-and-apostleship aimed at faith's obedience among all nations, for Christ's name.
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (agency)
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of διά)
ἐλάβομενwe receivedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; the apostolic gift is received, not achieved.
χάρινgraceAccusativedirect objectχάρις: 'grace, favor'; God's unmerited gift — here the gift that constitutes the apostolate.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποστολὴνapostleshipAccusativedirect objectἀποστολή: 'apostleship, commission'; possibly a hendiadys with χάρις — 'the grace of apostleship.'
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
ὑπακοὴνobedienceAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)ὑπακοή: 'obedience' (lit. 'hearing under'); the goal of the mission — submission that faith renders.
πίστεωςof faithGenitivegenitive (source/apposition; debated)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; 'the obedience that is faith' (epexegetic) or 'that springs from faith' — the famous Pauline phrase (cf. 16:26).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἔθνεσινnations/GentilesDativedat. of sphere (scope of mission)ἔθνος: 'nation'; plural τὰ ἔθνη = the Gentiles/nations — the Pauline mission field.
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage/goal)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ὀνόματοςnameGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (the ultimate aim)ὄνομα: 'name'; the honor/renown of Christ — the mission's final purpose is his name's glory.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
6

ἐν οἷς ἐστε καὶ ὑμεῖς κλητοὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,

among whom you also are, called of Jesus Christ —

Application to readersasyndetonThe Roman believers are folded into 'all the nations': they too are among the called.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
οἷςwhomDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (equative)→ stative present
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
κλητοὶcalledNominativepredicate nominativeκλητός: 'called'; the readers share Paul's status-by-calling — belonging to Christ by summons.
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivegenitive of possession
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
7

πᾶσιν τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν Ῥώμῃ ἀγαπητοῖς θεοῦ, κλητοῖς ἁγίοις· χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

to all those who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Address & greetingasyndetonThe long sentence finally reaches its addressees and the grace-and-peace blessing — the formal close of the salutation.
πᾶσινto allDativeindirect object (addressees)
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
οὖσινwho arePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · εἰμίsubstantival participle→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ῬώμῃRomeDativedat. of placeῬώμη: Rome, the imperial capital — the letter's destination.
ἀγαπητοῖςbelovedDativeapposition to τοῖς οὖσινἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; from ἀγαπάω — the readers as objects of God's love.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of agency (loved by God)
κλητοῖςcalledDativeappositionκλητός: 'called'; their sainthood is by divine calling, not attainment.
ἁγίοιςsaintsDativeapposition (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; set-apart ones — covenant-people language now applied to the church.
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (nom. in greeting formula)χάρις: 'grace'; Paul reshapes the Greek χαίρειν greeting into 'grace.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (coordinate)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness/well-being, the second half of the doubled blessing.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)
πατρὸςFatherGenitiveapposition to θεοῦπατήρ: 'Father'; the relational name for God shared by Father and people.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κυρίουthe LordGenitiveobject of ἀπό (coordinate source)κύριος: 'Lord'; Father and Lord set in parallel as one source of grace and peace.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
8

Πρῶτον μὲν εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ μου διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ περὶ πάντων ὑμῶν, ὅτι ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν καταγγέλλεται ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ κόσμῳ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

ThanksgivingΠρῶτον μὲνThe customary epistolary thanksgiving opens the body: gratitude for the Romans' world-renowned faith.
Πρῶτονfirstadverb (sequence)πρῶτον: 'first(ly)'; introduces the thanksgiving — the μέν leaves its answering δέ unfulfilled (anacoluthon).
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν … solitarium)
εὐχαριστῶI give thanksPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐχαριστέωmain verb→ customary presentεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; the standard verb opening a Pauline thanksgiving period.
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativeindirect object (recipient of thanks)
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (mediation)
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveobject of διά (mediator)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
περὶforpreposition + genitive (reference)
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective
ὑμῶνof youGenitiveobject of περί
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
theNominativearticle
πίστιςfaithNominativesubjectπίστις: 'faith'; their trust, here as a public reality that is being reported abroad.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καταγγέλλεταιis proclaimedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταγγέλλωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ present (ongoing)καταγγέλλω: 'proclaim, announce' (κατά intensive); their faith is being broadcast everywhere.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὅλῳwholeDativeattributive adjective
τῷtheDativearticle
κόσμῳworldDativedat. of sphere (hyperbole)κόσμος: 'world'; here the inhabited Greco-Roman world — a rhetorical 'everywhere.'
9

μάρτυς γάρ μού ἐστιν ὁ θεός, ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι

For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,

Oath / groundγάρPaul calls God to witness — an oath substantiating the sincerity of his constant prayer for them.
μάρτυςwitnessNominativepredicate nominativeμάρτυς: 'witness'; Paul invokes God as guarantor — a solemn oath formula.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
μούmyGenitivegenitive (objective/possession)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
theNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubject
whomDativerelative pronoun (object of λατρεύω)
λατρεύωI servePres Act Indic 1 Sg · λατρεύωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentλατρεύω: 'serve, worship' (cultic service); Paul's gospel work is itself priestly worship.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
πνεύματίspiritDativedat. of sphere (inner being)πνεῦμα: here Paul's own spirit — wholehearted, inward service, not mere outward ritual.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
εὐαγγελίῳgospelDativedat. of sphere (realm of service)εὐαγγέλιον: 'gospel'; the sphere of Paul's worshipful service is the gospel ministry.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitiveobjective genitive (gospel about the Son)
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὡςhowconjunction (manner/degree)
ἀδιαλείπτωςunceasinglyadverb (manner)ἀδιάλειπτος: 'without intermission'; the steady constancy of Paul's intercession.
μνείανmention/remembranceAccusativedirect object (cognate w/ ποιοῦμαι)μνεία: 'remembrance, mention'; μνείαν ποιοῦμαι = an idiom, 'I make mention / remember.'
ὑμῶνof youGenitiveobjective genitive
ποιοῦμαιI makePres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (idiom w/ μνείαν)→ customary presentποιέω (mid.): in the idiom μνείαν ποιοῦμαι, 'I make remembrance' — i.e. I pray for.
10

πάντοτε ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου, δεόμενος εἴ πως ἤδη ποτὲ εὐοδωθήσομαι ἐν τῷ θελήματι τοῦ θεοῦ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς.

always in my prayers, asking if somehow now at last I may succeed, by the will of God, in coming to you.

PetitionasyndetonThe content of that constant mention: a longing, tentative petition to be permitted at last to visit Rome.
πάντοτεalwaysadverb (frequency)
ἐπὶin/atpreposition + genitive (occasion)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
προσευχῶνprayersGenitiveobject of ἐπί (occasion)προσευχή: 'prayer'; the regular occasions of Paul's praying.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
δεόμενοςaskingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δέομαιadverbial ptc. (manner/means)→ present (concurrent)δέομαι: 'beg, request'; entreaty arising from need — the verb of petitionary prayer.
εἴifconjunction (introduces hope/wish)
πωςsomehowparticle (indefinite)πως: 'somehow'; εἴ πως expresses a wistful, uncertain hope — 'if perhaps.'
ἤδηnowadverb (time)
ποτὲat lastparticle (time)ποτέ: 'at some time'; ἤδη ποτέ together = 'now at length, at last.'
εὐοδωθήσομαιI may succeed/be spedFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · εὐοδόωmain verb (indir. question)→ predictive futureεὐοδόω: lit. 'have a good journey' (εὖ + ὁδός), then 'prosper, succeed'; here aptly of a successful trip.
ἐνin/bypreposition + dative (means/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
θελήματιwillDativedat. of means/causeθέλημα: 'will'; Paul's coming is wholly subordinated to God's will.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivesubjective/possessive genitive
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιepexegetical infinitive (of εὐοδωθήσομαι)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come, go'; the infinitive specifies what succeeding would mean — reaching them.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
11

ἐπιποθῶ γὰρ ἰδεῖν ὑμᾶς, ἵνα τι μεταδῶ χάρισμα ὑμῖν πνευματικὸν εἰς τὸ στηριχθῆναι ὑμᾶς,

For I long to see you, that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, for you to be strengthened —

Purpose of the visitγάρWhy he prays to come: a yearning to see them and share a spiritual gift that would establish them.
ἐπιποθῶI longPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπιποθέωmain verb→ customary presentἐπιποθέω: 'long for, yearn' (ἐπί-intensive of ποθέω); strong affectionate desire.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the object of Paul's longing — face-to-face presence.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative (object of ἰδεῖν)
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
τιsomeAccusativeindefinite pronoun (modifies χάρισμα)
μεταδῶI may impartAor Act Subj 1 Sg · μεταδίδωμιsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ constative aoristμεταδίδωμι: 'share, impart' (μετά + δίδωμι); to give a portion of what one has.
χάρισμαgiftAccusativedirect objectχάρισμα: 'gift of grace'; here a Spirit-given benefit for their strengthening, not a technical office.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
πνευματικὸνspiritualAccusativeattributive adjectiveπνευματικός: 'spiritual'; pertaining to / given by the Spirit.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
στηριχθῆναιto be strengthenedAor Pass Inf · στηρίζωarticular inf. of purpose→ constative aoristστηρίζω: 'make firm, establish, support'; the passive aim — that they be made stable.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
12

τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν συμπαρακληθῆναι ἐν ὑμῖν διὰ τῆς ἐν ἀλλήλοις πίστεως ὑμῶν τε καὶ ἐμοῦ.

that is, to be mutually encouraged among you through one another's faith, both yours and mine.

Self-correctionδέA tactful correction: not a one-way bestowal but mutual encouragement — their faith will refresh him too.
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (resumptive pronoun)
δέthat isconnective (epexegetical/corrective)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
συμπαρακληθῆναιto be encouraged togetherAor Pass Inf · συμπαρακαλέωinfinitive (predicate complement)→ constative aoristσυμπαρακαλέω: 'encourage together / mutually' (σύν + παρακαλέω); the σύν- makes the comfort reciprocal.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (reciprocity)
ἀλλήλοιςone anotherDativereciprocal pronoun (object of ἐν)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the mutuality at the heart of the encouragement.
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of διά (means)πίστις: 'faith'; the shared trust that becomes the channel of mutual strengthening.
ὑμῶνyoursGenitivegenitive (possession)
τεbothcorrelative particle
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐμοῦmineGenitivegenitive (possession; emphatic)
13

οὐ θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, ἀδελφοί, ὅτι πολλάκις προεθέμην ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἐκωλύθην ἄχρι τοῦ δεῦρο, ἵνα τινὰ καρπὸν σχῶ καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν καθὼς καὶ ἐν τοῖς λοιποῖς ἔθνεσιν.

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I often purposed to come to you — and was prevented until now — that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the rest of the Gentiles.

DisclosureδὲA disclosure formula: Paul has repeatedly planned the visit but been hindered; his aim is fruit among them as among other Gentiles.
οὐnotnegative particle
θέλωI wantPres Act Indic 1 Sg · θέλωmain verb→ customary presentθέλω: 'will, wish, want'; the 'I do not want you to be ignorant' formula introduces important disclosure.
δὲnowconnective conjunction
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἀγνοεῖνto be unawarePres Act Inf · ἀγνοέωcomplementary infinitive→ present (ongoing)ἀγνοέω: 'not know, be ignorant' (ἀ-privative + γινώσκω); the litotes 'I don't want you ignorant' = 'I want you to know.'
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of direct addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; warm familial address to the congregation.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
πολλάκιςoftenadverb (frequency)
προεθέμηνI purposedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · προτίθημιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristπροτίθημι (mid.): 'purpose, plan beforehand' (cf. the noun πρόθεσις, 'purpose').
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιcomplementary infinitive→ constative aorist
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκωλύθηνI was preventedAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · κωλύωmain verb→ constative aoristκωλύω: 'hinder, prevent, forbid'; the divine passive — circumstances (or God) blocked the plan.
ἄχριuntilpreposition + genitive (time)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantizes adv.)
δεῦροnowadverb (substantized, 'the present')δεῦρο: 'here, hither'; ἄχρι τοῦ δεῦρο = 'up to now.'
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
τινὰsomeAccusativeindefinite pronoun (modifies καρπόν)
καρπὸνfruitAccusativedirect objectκαρπός: 'fruit'; metaphor for ministry results — converts and growth.
σχῶI might have/getAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔχωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristἔχω: 'have'; the ingressive aorist nuance ('obtain, get') fits 'gain fruit.'
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
λοιποῖςrestDativeattributive adjectiveλοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; the other Gentile fields Paul has already reaped.
ἔθνεσινGentilesDativedat. of sphereἔθνος: 'nation'; the Gentiles — Rome included in Paul's Gentile mandate.
14

Ἕλλησίν τε καὶ βαρβάροις, σοφοῖς τε καὶ ἀνοήτοις ὀφειλέτης εἰμί·

To Greeks and to barbarians, to wise and to foolish, I am a debtor;

ObligationasyndetonThe ground of his eagerness: Paul stands under universal obligation — to every category of humanity.
Ἕλλησίνto GreeksDativedat. of obligation (w/ ὀφειλέτης)Ἕλλην: 'Greek'; here the culturally Hellenized world, paired against βάρβαροι.
τεbothcorrelative particle
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βαρβάροιςto barbariansDativedat. of obligationβάρβαρος: 'non-Greek-speaker' (onomatopoeic 'bar-bar'); the non-Hellenized peoples — together, all humanity.
σοφοῖςto wiseDativedat. of obligationσοφός: 'wise, skilled'; a second all-inclusive pairing by intellect/culture.
τεbothcorrelative particle
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνοήτοιςto foolishDativedat. of obligationἀνόητος: 'unintelligent, foolish' (ἀ- + νοῦς); the unschooled — Paul owes the gospel to all alike.
ὀφειλέτηςdebtorNominativepredicate nominativeὀφειλέτης: 'debtor, one obligated'; Paul's commission lays a debt on him toward all peoples.
εἰμίI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (equative)→ stative present
15

οὕτως τὸ κατ' ἐμὲ πρόθυμον καὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ εὐαγγελίσασθαι.

so, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

EagernessοὕτωςThe conclusion drawn from that debt: an eagerness to evangelize even Rome — bridging to the thesis.
οὕτωςso/thusadverb (inferential)οὕτως: 'in this way'; draws the consequence from the debtor-status of v.14.
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes phrase)
κατ'as forpreposition + accusative (reference)
ἐμὲmeAccusativeobject of κατά ('as concerns me')τὸ κατ' ἐμέ: idiom, 'as far as I am concerned, for my part.'
πρόθυμονeager/readyNominativepredicate adj. (substantized neuter)πρόθυμος: 'willing, eager' (πρό + θυμός, 'forward in spirit'); 'my eagerness/readiness.'
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object (of the infinitive)
τοῖςthoseDativearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ῬώμῃRomeDativedat. of place
εὐαγγελίσασθαιto preach the gospelAor Mid Inf · εὐαγγελίζομαιepexegetical infinitive→ constative aoristεὐαγγελίζομαι: 'announce good news, evangelize'; cognate with εὐαγγέλιον — to do the gospel's proclaiming.
16

Οὐ γὰρ ἐπαισχύνομαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, δύναμις γὰρ θεοῦ ἐστιν εἰς σωτηρίαν παντὶ τῷ πιστεύοντι, Ἰουδαίῳ τε πρῶτον καὶ Ἕλληνι.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Thesis statementγάρThe letter's theme, stated by litotes: the gospel is no cause for shame because it is God's saving power for all who believe, Jew and Greek alike.
Οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐπαισχύνομαιI am ashamedPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐπαισχύνομαιmain verb→ customary presentἐπαισχύνομαι: 'be ashamed of' (ἐπί + αἰσχύνομαι); the litotes 'not ashamed' affirms bold confidence.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
εὐαγγέλιονgospelAccusativedirect objectεὐαγγέλιον: 'good news'; the message Paul is unashamed to proclaim even in imperial Rome.
δύναμιςpowerNominativepredicate nominativeδύναμις: 'power' (cf. 'dynamite'); the gospel does not merely describe salvation but effects it.
γὰρforcausal conjunction
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/result)
σωτηρίανsalvationAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)σωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance, rescue'; the comprehensive end to which the gospel's power tends.
παντὶto everyoneDativesubstantival adj. (indirect object)πᾶς: 'all, every'; the universality that the rest of the verse unpacks (Jew and Greek).
τῷthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
πιστεύοντιwho believesPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle (limits παντί)→ customary (characteristic)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; faith is the sole qualifier — 'everyone who believes,' without ethnic limit.
Ἰουδαίῳto the JewDativedat. in apposition to παντίἸουδαῖος: 'Jew'; first in salvation-historical priority, not privilege of merit.
τεbothcorrelative particle
πρῶτονfirstadverb (priority)πρῶτον: 'first'; redemptive-historical sequence — to the Jew first.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Ἕλληνιto the GreekDativedat. in apposition to παντίἝλλην: 'Greek'; here the representative Gentile — the gospel's reach to the nations.
17

δικαιοσύνη γὰρ θεοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ ἀποκαλύπτεται ἐκ πίστεως εἰς πίστιν, καθὼς γέγραπται· Ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written: "The righteous shall live by faith."

Ground of the thesisγάρWhy the gospel saves: in it God's righteousness is revealed on the principle of faith — clinched by Habakkuk 2:4.
δικαιοσύνηrighteousnessNominativesubjectδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, justice'; God's saving covenant-faithfulness / the righteous status he gives — the letter's key term.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive (source / authorship; debated)A famously debated genitive: God's own righteousness, the righteousness from God, or both — the hinge of Reformation exegesis.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷitDativeobject of ἐν (refers to the gospel)
ἀποκαλύπτεταιis revealedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover, reveal' (cf. 'apocalypse'); an ongoing unveiling in the gospel's proclamation.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source/origin)πίστις: 'faith'; ἐκ πίστεως εἰς πίστιν — 'by faith from start to finish,' faith as the all-encompassing principle.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
πίστινfaithAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)
καθὼςascomparative conjunction (citation formula)
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (standing record)γράφω: 'write'; the perfect γέγραπται = 'it stands written' — Scripture's abiding authority.
theNominativearticle
δὲbut/nowconnective (part of the citation)
δίκαιοςrighteous (one)Nominativesubject (substantival adj.)δίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; the one declared right with God — quoting Habakkuk 2:4.
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (source/means)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (construes w/ 'live' or 'righteous')πίστις: 'faith/faithfulness'; whether ἐκ πίστεως modifies 'the righteous' or 'shall live' is exegetically pivotal.
ζήσεταιshall liveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureζάω: 'live'; eschatological life — the promise grounding justification by faith.
18

Ἀποκαλύπτεται γὰρ ὀργὴ θεοῦ ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ ἐπὶ πᾶσαν ἀσέβειαν καὶ ἀδικίαν ἀνθρώπων τῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἐν ἀδικίᾳ κατεχόντων,

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Counter-revelationγάρThe dark counterpart to v.17: alongside the revealing of righteousness, God's wrath is being revealed against those who hold truth down in wickedness — opening the indictment.
Ἀποκαλύπτεταιis revealedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (fronted, emphatic)→ gnomic presentἀποκαλύπτω: 'reveal'; deliberately echoing v.17 — wrath and righteousness are both presently unveiled.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὀργὴwrathNominativesubjectὀργή: 'wrath, anger'; God's settled judicial opposition to evil, not capricious rage.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/possession
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (source)
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)οὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the wrath's origin — a divine, not merely earthly, verdict.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective
ἀσέβειανungodlinessAccusativeobject of ἐπίἀσέβεια: 'impiety, ungodliness' (ἀ- + σέβομαι, 'revere'); sin against God directly — failure of reverence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀδικίανunrighteousnessAccusativeobject of ἐπίἀδικία: 'unrighteousness, injustice' (ἀ- + δίκη); wrong toward God and neighbor — the breach of right.
ἀνθρώπωνof menGenitivegenitive (subjective/possession)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; humanity generally as the agent of this ungodliness.
τῶνwhoGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀλήθειανtruthAccusativedirect object of κατεχόντωνἀλήθεια: 'truth'; here the truth about God evident in creation and conscience.
ἐνin/bypreposition + dative (means/manner)
ἀδικίᾳunrighteousnessDativedat. of means/mannerἀδικία: 'unrighteousness'; the very wickedness by which the truth is held down.
κατεχόντωνwho suppressPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · κατέχωattributive participle→ customary (characteristic)κατέχω: 'hold down, restrain, suppress' (κατά + ἔχω); to pin the truth down, smothering what is known.
19

διότι τὸ γνωστὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φανερόν ἐστιν ἐν αὐτοῖς· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτοῖς ἐφανέρωσεν.

because what can be known of God is plain among them, for God has made it plain to them.

Ground: God knownδιότιWhy they are culpable: what may be known of God is evident to them — and evident precisely because God himself disclosed it.
διότιbecausecausal conjunctionδιότι: 'because, for the reason that' (διὰ + ὅτι); grounds the charge of suppression — there is truth to suppress.
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
γνωστὸνwhat is known/knowableNominativesubject (substantival adj.)γνωστός: 'known / knowable'; the knowable of God — what creation makes accessible, not God's full essence.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobjective genitive
φανερόνplain/manifestNominativepredicate adjectiveφανερός: 'visible, manifest, evident'; openly displayed, not hidden.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἐνamong/inpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν ('among/within them')
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ἐφανέρωσενmade plainAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φανερόωmain verb→ constative aoristφανερόω: 'make visible, reveal'; cognate with φανερός — God actively disclosed himself, so ignorance is inexcusable.
20

τὰ γὰρ ἀόρατα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ κτίσεως κόσμου τοῖς ποιήμασιν νοούμενα καθορᾶται, ἥ τε ἀΐδιος αὐτοῦ δύναμις καὶ θειότης, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἀναπολογήτους,

For his invisible attributes, since the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood through the things made — namely his eternal power and divine nature — so that they are without excuse;

Creation's witnessγάρHow God made himself plain: his invisible perfections are perceived through what he made; the result clause clinches the verdict — they are without excuse.
τὰtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀόραταinvisible thingsNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἀόρατος: 'unseen, invisible' (ἀ- + ὁράω); a paradox — the unseen God 'seen' through creation.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀπὸsince/frompreposition + genitive (temporal source)
κτίσεωςcreationGenitiveobject of ἀπό (temporal)κτίσις: 'creation, founding'; here the act/event of creating, the starting-point of the testimony.
κόσμουof the worldGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveκόσμος: 'world, ordered universe'; the created order that bears witness.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ποιήμασινthings madeDativedat. of meansποίημα: 'thing made, workmanship' (cf. 'poem'); the created works through which God is perceived.
νοούμεναbeing understoodPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · νοέωadverbial ptc. (means/manner)→ present (concurrent)νοέω: 'perceive with the mind, understand' (cf. νοῦς); the invisible is grasped by reasoned reflection on the visible.
καθορᾶταιare clearly seenPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · καθοράωmain verb→ gnomic presentκαθοράω: 'see clearly, perceive' (κατά-perfective + ὁράω); the paradox sharpened — the invisible is 'clearly seen.'
theNominativearticle
τεbothcorrelative particle
ἀΐδιοςeternalNominativeattributive adjectiveἀΐδιος: 'everlasting, eternal'; without beginning or end — a rare, elevated term.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
δύναμιςpowerNominativeapposition to ἀόρατα (specifies them)δύναμις: 'power'; one of the two perceived attributes — God's omnipotence stamped on creation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θειότηςdivine natureNominativeapposition to ἀόραταθειότης: 'divinity, divine nature'; that God is God — his Godhood, perceptible in creation (distinct from θεότης, the divine essence).
εἰςso thatpreposition + articular inf. (result/purpose)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίarticular inf. of result→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; εἰς τὸ εἶναι expresses the outcome — 'with the result that they are…'
αὐτοὺςtheyAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
ἀναπολογήτουςwithout excuseAccusativepredicate accusativeἀναπολόγητος: 'without defense/excuse' (ἀ- + ἀπολογία); in NT only here and 2:1 — the verdict echoed when the moralizer is judged.
21

διότι γνόντες τὸν θεὸν οὐχ ὡς θεὸν ἐδόξασαν ἢ ηὐχαρίστησαν, ἀλλ' ἐματαιώθησαν ἐν τοῖς διαλογισμοῖς αὐτῶν καὶ ἐσκοτίσθη ἡ ἀσύνετος αὐτῶν καρδία.

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give thanks, but became futile in their thinking, and their senseless heart was darkened.

The root failureδιότιThe heart of the indictment: knowing God, they withheld glory and thanks; the fall into futility and darkness follows.
διότιbecausecausal conjunction
γνόντεςhaving knownAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γινώσκωconcessive participle ('although they knew')→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know' by experience/acquaintance; the concessive force — they really knew God, yet…
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect object of γνόντες
οὐχnotnegative particle
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)
θεὸνGodAccusativepredicate accusative ('as God')
ἐδόξασανthey glorifiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δοξάζωmain verb→ constative aoristδοξάζω: 'glorify, honor' (cf. δόξα); the refused response — to acknowledge God's worth.
ordisjunctive conjunction
ηὐχαρίστησανgave thanksAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εὐχαριστέωmain verb→ constative aoristεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; ingratitude as the twin of failure to glorify — the primal sin.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἐματαιώθησανthey became futileAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ματαιόωmain verb→ constative aoristματαιόω: 'make/become futile, vain' (cf. ματαιότης, Eccl's 'vanity'); their reasoning turned empty, idolatrous.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
διαλογισμοῖςreasoningsDativedat. of sphereδιαλογισμός: 'reasoning, deliberation, speculation'; their inner thought-processes, gone vain.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐσκοτίσθηwas darkenedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · σκοτίζωmain verb→ constative aoristσκοτίζω: 'darken' (cf. σκότος, 'darkness'); the moral-noetic blackout that follows rejecting the light.
theNominativearticle
ἀσύνετοςsenselessNominativeattributive adjectiveἀσύνετος: 'without understanding, foolish' (ἀ- + συνίημι); the heart that fails to 'put together' the truth.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
καρδίαheartNominativesubjectκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner self — mind, will, and affections together, here darkened.
22

φάσκοντες εἶναι σοφοὶ ἐμωράνθησαν,

Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

IronyasyndetonThe bitter irony of the fall: self-proclaimed wisdom collapses into folly.
φάσκοντεςclaimingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · φάσκωadverbial ptc. (concessive)→ present (ongoing claim)φάσκω: 'assert, allege, claim'; often a pretentious or false claim — here empty self-assessment.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive→ stative present
σοφοὶwiseNominativepredicate nom. (of implied subject of inf.)σοφός: 'wise'; the vaunted wisdom of the cultured world, shown hollow.
ἐμωράνθησανthey became foolsAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · μωραίνωmain verb→ constative aoristμωραίνω: 'make foolish, become a fool' (cf. μωρός, 'moron'); the ironic reversal — wisdom into folly.
23

καὶ ἤλλαξαν τὴν δόξαν τοῦ ἀφθάρτου θεοῦ ἐν ὁμοιώματι εἰκόνος φθαρτοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ πετεινῶν καὶ τετραπόδων καὶ ἑρπετῶν.

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles.

The exchangeκαὶThe idolatrous swap that the futility produced: the incorruptible God's glory traded for images of corruptible creatures — a descending ladder.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἤλλαξανthey exchangedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀλλάσσωmain verb→ constative aoristἀλλάσσω: 'change, exchange, barter'; the catastrophic trade — God's glory for idols (echoing Ps 106:20; Jer 2:11).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect objectδόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the radiant majesty of God, given away in the exchange.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἀφθάρτουimmortal/incorruptibleGenitiveattributive adjectiveἄφθαρτος: 'imperishable, immortal' (ἀ- + φθείρω); set in pointed contrast to φθαρτοῦ below.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνforpreposition + dative (price/exchange)ἐν of price (Semitic ἐν of exchange): 'in exchange for' — what was taken in the trade.
ὁμοιώματιlikenessDativedat. of exchange (object received)ὁμοίωμα: 'likeness, copy, image'; a representation — the idol as mere semblance.
εἰκόνοςof an imageGenitiveattributive/epexegetical genitiveεἰκών: 'image, likeness' (cf. 'icon'); ironic, since humanity was made the εἰκών of God (Gen 1:26).
φθαρτοῦmortal/corruptibleGenitiveattributive adjectiveφθαρτός: 'perishable, mortal' (cf. φθείρω); the deliberate antithesis to ἄφθαρτος — they swapped the imperishable for the perishable.
ἀνθρώπουof manGenitivegenitive (first idol-object)ἄνθρωπος: 'human'; first rung of the descent — anthropomorphic idolatry.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πετεινῶνof birdsGenitivegenitive (idol-object)πετεινόν: 'bird, flying creature' (cf. πέτομαι, 'fly').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τετραπόδωνof four-footed animalsGenitivegenitive (idol-object)τετράπους: 'four-footed' (τέτρα + πούς); quadrupeds — the descent continues toward the beasts.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἑρπετῶνof reptilesGenitivegenitive (idol-object)ἑρπετόν: 'creeping thing, reptile' (cf. ἕρπω, 'creep'); the bottom rung — echoing the Genesis creation list in reverse.
24

Διὸ παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς ἐν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις τῶν καρδιῶν αὐτῶν εἰς ἀκαθαρσίαν τοῦ ἀτιμάζεσθαι τὰ σώματα αὐτῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς,

Therefore God gave them over, in the desires of their hearts, to impurity, so that their bodies were dishonored among them —

First handing-overΔιὸThe first of three judicial 'gave them over' verdicts: God consigns them to the impurity their own desires crave — the punishment fitting the crime of v.23.
Διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'therefore, for this reason'; draws the judgment as the consequence of the exchange in v.23.
παρέδωκενgave overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up' (παρά + δίδωμι); the keyword of the section (vv.24, 26, 28) — a judicial abandonment, not mere permission.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectEmphatic: God is the actor — the handing-over is an act of divine wrath, not the world running its course alone.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/cause)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἐπιθυμίαιςdesires/lustsDativedat. of sphere (the realm consigned to)ἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, lust' (ἐπί + θυμός); neutral in itself but here the disordered cravings driving the sin.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
καρδιῶνheartsGenitivegenitive of sourceκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner seat from which the corrupt desires arise.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
ἀκαθαρσίανimpurityAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)ἀκαθαρσία: 'uncleanness, impurity' (ἀ- + καθαρός, 'clean'); moral, especially sexual, defilement.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantizes inf.)
ἀτιμάζεσθαιto be dishonoredPres Pass Inf · ἀτιμάζωarticular inf. of result/purpose→ present (ongoing)ἀτιμάζω: 'dishonor, treat with contempt' (ἀ- + τιμή, 'honor'); the genitive articular infinitive marks the resulting degradation.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
σώματαbodiesAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitiveσῶμα: 'body'; the locus where the dishonor is enacted.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (reciprocity/sphere)
αὐτοῖςthemselvesDativeobject of ἐν (reflexive/reciprocal)
25

οἵτινες μετήλλαξαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν τῷ ψεύδει, καὶ ἐσεβάσθησαν καὶ ἐλάτρευσαν τῇ κτίσει παρὰ τὸν κτίσαντα, ὅς ἐστιν εὐλογητὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.

who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Ground restatedasyndetonThe reason for the handing-over, restated: they swapped God's truth for the lie and worshiped the creature — capped by a doxology that rebukes the idolatry.
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative)ὅστις: 'who(ever),' the qualitative relative — 'such people as' exchanged the truth.
μετήλλαξανexchangedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · μεταλλάσσωmain verb→ constative aoristμεταλλάσσω: 'exchange, alter' (μετά + ἀλλάσσω); the strengthened form of v.23's ἤλλαξαν — the same fatal swap.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀλήθειανtruthAccusativedirect objectἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the reality of God, traded away.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobjective/possessive genitive
ἐνforpreposition + dative (price/exchange)ἐν of exchange again (cf. v.23): 'in exchange for the lie.'
τῷtheDativearticle
ψεύδειlieDativedat. of exchange (object received)ψεῦδος: 'falsehood, lie'; with the article, 'the lie' par excellence — idolatry's basic deception.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐσεβάσθησανworshipedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · σεβάζομαιmain verb (deponent)→ constative aoristσεβάζομαι: 'worship, venerate, show religious awe' (cf. σέβομαι); the reverence owed God, misdirected.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλάτρευσανservedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λατρεύωmain verb→ constative aoristλατρεύω: 'serve, render cultic worship'; the same verb Paul used of his own service in v.9, now perverted toward creatures.
τῇtheDativearticle
κτίσειcreature/creationDativedat. (object of worship)κτίσις: 'creature, created thing'; that which is made — worshiped in place of its Maker.
παρὰrather thanpreposition + accusative (comparison/exclusion)παρά + acc. here = 'beyond, in preference to, instead of' — the creature placed above the Creator.
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κτίσανταCreatorAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · κτίζωsubstantival participle (object of παρά)→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create, found'; the participle 'the One who created' set against κτίσις — Maker vs. made.
ὅςwhoNominativerelative pronoun
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
εὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate nominativeεὐλογητός: 'blessed, praiseworthy' (εὖ + λόγος, 'well-spoken-of'); the doxology answers the idolatry with praise of the true God.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναςages/foreverAccusativeobject of εἰς (extent of time)αἰών: 'age'; εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας = 'unto the ages,' i.e. forever.
ἀμήνamenliturgical affirmation (transliterated Hebrew)ἀμήν: 'truly, so be it'; the worship-formula sealing the doxology.
26

Διὰ τοῦτο παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς εἰς πάθη ἀτιμίας· αἵ τε γὰρ θήλειαι αὐτῶν μετήλλαξαν τὴν φυσικὴν χρῆσιν εἰς τὴν παρὰ φύσιν,

For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural use for that contrary to nature,

Second handing-overΔιὰ τοῦτοThe second 'gave them over' verdict — to passions of dishonor — with the first illustration drawn from the women.
Διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (causal demonstrative)διὰ τοῦτο: 'for this reason' — pointing back to the idolatry of v.25 as the ground of renewed judgment.
παρέδωκενgave overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: the second of the three 'handed over' judgments (cf. vv.24, 28).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
πάθηpassionsAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)πάθος: 'passion, strong feeling' (cf. πάσχω); here disordered, uncontrolled drives.
ἀτιμίαςof dishonorGenitiveattributive genitive (quality)ἀτιμία: 'dishonor, disgrace' (ἀ- + τιμή); 'degrading passions' — the genitive names their character.
αἵtheNominativearticle
τεforcorrelative particle (τε … with v.27)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
θήλειαιfemalesNominativesubjectθῆλυς: 'female'; the biological term (not γυνή, 'woman') — emphasizing nature/sex, fitting the 'natural use' argument.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
μετήλλαξανexchangedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · μεταλλάσσωmain verb→ constative aoristμεταλλάσσω: 'exchange' (cf. v.25); the idolatrous 'exchange' now mirrored in the bodily realm.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
φυσικὴνnaturalAccusativeattributive adjectiveφυσικός: 'natural, according to nature' (cf. φύσις); what accords with the created order.
χρῆσινuse/functionAccusativedirect objectχρῆσις: 'use, function, relations' (cf. χράομαι); here of sexual relations.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (exchange-goal)
τὴνthatAccusativearticle (substantizes prep. phrase)
παρὰcontrary topreposition + accusative (opposition)παρὰ φύσιν: 'against nature' — παρά + acc. of contrariety, the counterpart to φυσικήν.
φύσινnatureAccusativeobject of παράφύσις: 'nature'; the created order/design appealed to as the norm.
27

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.

and likewise also the males, having left the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their craving for one another, males with males committing the shameless act and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.

Second handing-over (cont.)τεThe parallel illustration in the men, with the verdict's logic made explicit: the deed carries its own fitting recompense.
ὁμοίωςlikewiseadverb (correspondence)ὁμοίως: 'in like manner'; binds the men's case to the women's of v.26.
τεandcorrelative particle
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἄρσενεςmalesNominativesubjectἄρσην: 'male'; again the biological term, paired with θῆλυς — keeping the 'nature' argument in view.
ἀφέντεςhaving leftAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀφίημιadverbial ptc. (antecedent/causal)→ constative aoristἀφίημι: 'leave, let go, abandon' (ἀπό + ἵημι); a deliberate forsaking of the natural relation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
φυσικὴνnaturalAccusativeattributive adjective
χρῆσινuseAccusativedirect object of ἀφέντες
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
θηλείαςfemaleGenitiveobjective genitiveθῆλυς: 'female'; the natural counterpart abandoned.
ἐξεκαύθησανwere inflamedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐκκαίωmain verb→ constative aoristἐκκαίω: 'kindle, burn up, inflame' (ἐκ + καίω); the intensity of the disordered craving — 'burned up.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὀρέξειcraving/lustDativedat. of sphereὄρεξις: 'longing, appetite, lust' (cf. ὀρέγομαι, 'reach for'); strong reaching-out desire.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (direction of desire)
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (object of εἰς)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the mutual direction of the craving.
ἄρσενεςmalesNominativeapposition to subject (resumptive)ἄρσην: 'male'; the stark repetition 'males with males' underscores the point.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (association)
ἄρσεσινmalesDativeobject of ἐν (association)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀσχημοσύνηνshameless act/indecencyAccusativedirect objectἀσχημοσύνη: 'indecency, shameful deed' (ἀ- + σχῆμα, 'form'); 'unseemliness' — the disgraceful act.
κατεργαζόμενοιcommitting/workingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κατεργάζομαιadverbial ptc. (manner/concurrent)→ present (ongoing)κατεργάζομαι: 'work out, accomplish, perform' (κατά-perfective + ἐργάζομαι); to bring fully about.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀντιμισθίανrecompense/penaltyAccusativedirect objectἀντιμισθία: 'recompense, repayment' (ἀντί + μισθός, 'wage'); the answering 'wage' — sin reaping its own consequence.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔδει)
ἔδειwas due/necessaryImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (rel. clause)→ imperfect (fitting obligation)δεῖ: 'it is necessary, fitting'; the imperfect ἔδει = 'was due' — the penalty that necessarily matched the error.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
πλάνηςerror/wanderingGenitivegenitive (of the offense penalized)πλάνη: 'wandering, error, deception' (cf. πλανάω, 'lead astray'); the straying for which the recompense is due.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/reflexive)
ἑαυτοῖςthemselvesDativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐν)ἑαυτῶν: 'themselves'; the penalty falls within them — self-inflicted, intrinsic to the act.
ἀπολαμβάνοντεςreceiving backPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀπολαμβάνωadverbial ptc. (manner/concurrent)→ present (ongoing)ἀπολαμβάνω: 'receive back, get in full' (ἀπό + λαμβάνω); to obtain what is owed — receiving the due wage.
28

καὶ καθὼς οὐκ ἐδοκίμασαν τὸν θεὸν ἔχειν ἐν ἐπιγνώσει, παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς εἰς ἀδόκιμον νοῦν, ποιεῖν τὰ μὴ καθήκοντα,

And just as they did not see fit to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do what is not fitting —

Third handing-overκαὶThe third 'gave them over' verdict, framed by a pointed wordplay: they did not approve (ἐδοκίμασαν) keeping God, so God gave them to an unapproved (ἀδόκιμον) mind.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction (correspondence)καθώς: sets up the lex talionis correspondence — the punishment mirrors the crime.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐδοκίμασανthey approved/saw fitAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δοκιμάζωmain verb→ constative aoristδοκιμάζω: 'test and approve, deem worthy' (cf. δόκιμος); they 'did not approve' of keeping God — the root of the pun with ἀδόκιμον.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεὸνGodAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἔχεινto retain/havePres Act Inf · ἔχωcomplementary infinitive→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; here 'to hold/retain' God in active acknowledgment.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἐπιγνώσειknowledge/recognitionDativedat. of sphereἐπίγνωσις: 'full knowledge, recognition' (ἐπί-intensive of γνῶσις); a real, acknowledging knowledge of God.
παρέδωκενgave overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: the third and climactic 'handed over' (cf. vv.24, 26).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
ἀδόκιμονunfit/disqualifiedAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀδόκιμος: 'failing the test, disqualified, worthless' (ἀ- + δόκιμος); the deliberate antonym of ἐδοκίμασαν — an 'unapproving' mind, itself 'unapproved.'
νοῦνmindAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)νοῦς: 'mind, understanding'; the faculty of moral judgment, now debased.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Inf · ποιέωepexegetical/result infinitive→ present (customary)ποιέω: 'do, make'; the articular-less infinitive of result — what the debased mind produces.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
καθήκονταfitting/properPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · καθήκωsubstantival participle (object of ποιεῖν)→ customary (characteristic)καθήκω: 'be fitting, proper' (κατά + ἥκω); a Stoic ethical term — 'what is not becoming,' i.e. improprieties.
29

πεπληρωμένους πάσῃ ἀδικίᾳ πονηρίᾳ πλεονεξίᾳ κακίᾳ, μεστοὺς φθόνου φόνου ἔριδος δόλου κακοηθείας, ψιθυριστάς,

having been filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; gossips,

Vice catalogueasyndetonThe vice-list pours out the works of the debased mind — first two groups governed by 'filled' and 'full,' then a string of personal-type terms.
πεπληρωμένουςhaving been filledPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · πληρόωadverbial ptc. (resumes αὐτούς of v.28)→ intensive perfect (saturated state)πληρόω: 'fill, make full'; the perfect pictures a settled, saturated condition — brimming with vice.
πάσῃall/everyDativeattributive adjective
ἀδικίᾳunrighteousnessDativedat. of content (w/ πεπληρωμένους)ἀδικία: 'unrighteousness, injustice'; the comprehensive head-term (cf. v.18).
πονηρίᾳwickednessDativedat. of contentπονηρία: 'evil, wickedness' (cf. πονηρός); active, malignant badness.
πλεονεξίᾳgreedDativedat. of contentπλεονεξία: 'covetousness, greed' (lit. 'having-more-ness'); insatiable grasping for more.
κακίᾳmaliceDativedat. of contentκακία: 'badness, malice, depravity'; vicious ill-will or moral baseness generally.
μεστοὺςfullAccusativeadjective (parallel to πεπληρωμένους)μεστός: 'full, filled'; introduces a second cluster of the things they are stuffed with.
φθόνουof envyGenitivegenitive of contentφθόνος: 'envy, jealousy'; ill-will at another's good — note the near-rhyme with the next word.
φόνουof murderGenitivegenitive of contentφόνος: 'murder, slaughter'; paired with φθόνου in a deliberate paronomasia (envy → murder).
ἔριδοςof strifeGenitivegenitive of contentἔρις: 'strife, contention, quarreling'; discord and rivalry.
δόλουof deceitGenitivegenitive of contentδόλος: 'guile, treachery, bait' (originally a lure); cunning deception.
κακοηθείαςof malignityGenitivegenitive of contentκακοήθεια: 'malice, malignity' (κακός + ἦθος); a settled bad disposition that construes everything in the worst light.
ψιθυριστάςgossips/whisperersAccusativeapposition (begins agent-noun list)ψιθυριστής: 'whisperer' (onomatopoeic ψιθυρ-); the secret slanderer who murmurs against others.
30

καταλάλους, θεοστυγεῖς, ὑβριστάς, ὑπερηφάνους, ἀλαζόνας, ἐφευρετὰς κακῶν, γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς,

slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

Vice catalogue (cont.)asyndetonThe list continues with terms for pride and contempt — toward others, toward God, and toward parents.
καταλάλουςslanderersAccusativeapposition (vice-list)κατάλαλος: 'slanderer, backbiter' (κατά + λαλέω); the open defamer, paired with the secret ψιθυριστής of v.29.
θεοστυγεῖςhaters of GodAccusativeappositionθεοστυγής: 'God-hating' (θεός + στυγέω, 'hate'); could be passive ('hated by God') but active 'God-haters' fits the list.
ὑβριστάςinsolentAccusativeappositionὑβριστής: 'insolent/violent person' (cf. ὕβρις); one who insults and injures from arrogant contempt.
ὑπερηφάνουςarrogantAccusativeappositionὑπερήφανος: 'haughty, proud' (ὑπέρ + φαίνομαι, 'showing oneself above'); looking down on others.
ἀλαζόναςboastfulAccusativeappositionἀλαζών: 'braggart, boaster'; the empty pretender who claims more than is real.
ἐφευρετὰςinventorsAccusativeapposition (w/ following gen.)ἐφευρετής: 'inventor, contriver' (cf. εὑρίσκω, 'find'); one who devises novel forms of wrong.
κακῶνof evilsGenitiveobjective genitiveκακός: 'evil, bad'; the objects invented — 'inventors of evil things.'
γονεῦσινto parentsDativedat. of reference (w/ ἀπειθεῖς)γονεύς: 'parent, begetter' (cf. γίνομαι); disobedience here breaches the fifth commandment.
ἀπειθεῖςdisobedientAccusativeapposition (vice-list)ἀπειθής: 'disobedient, unpersuadable' (ἀ- + πείθω); refusing to be persuaded or to submit.
31

ἀσυνέτους, ἀσυνθέτους, ἀστόργους, ἀνελεήμονας·

senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless;

Vice catalogue (climax)asyndetonA staccato alpha-privative quartet closes the list — four 'un-' words hammering the absence of every natural decency.
ἀσυνέτουςsenselessAccusativeapposition (vice-list)ἀσύνετος: 'without understanding, foolish' (ἀ- + συνίημι); echoing the darkened ἀσύνετος heart of v.21.
ἀσυνθέτουςcovenant-breakers/faithlessAccusativeappositionἀσύνθετος: 'covenant-breaking, untrustworthy' (ἀ- + συντίθημι, 'make an agreement'); one who will not keep terms — note the assonant pair with ἀσυνέτους.
ἀστόργουςheartlessAccusativeappositionἄστοργος: 'without natural affection' (ἀ- + στοργή, family love); devoid of the bonds of kin-love.
ἀνελεήμοναςruthless/unmercifulAccusativeappositionἀνελεήμων: 'merciless' (ἀ- + ἔλεος, 'mercy'); without pity — the final, climactic privation.
32

οἵτινες τὸ δικαίωμα τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπιγνόντες, ὅτι οἱ τὰ τοιαῦτα πράσσοντες ἄξιοι θανάτου εἰσίν, οὐ μόνον αὐτὰ ποιοῦσιν ἀλλὰ καὶ συνευδοκοῦσιν τοῖς πράσσουσιν.

who, although they know God's righteous decree — that those who practice such things are worthy of death — not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.

Climactic verdictasyndetonThe indictment's climax: they sin against the light of conscience, knowing the death-sentence such deeds deserve, yet they both practice and applaud them.
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative)ὅστις: the qualitative relative — 'such as,' summing up the people just described.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
δικαίωμαrighteous decreeAccusativedirect object of ἐπιγνόντεςδικαίωμα: 'righteous requirement, ordinance, decree' (the -μα result of δικαιόω); here God's known verdict that such sins merit death.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive
ἐπιγνόντεςhaving knownAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιγινώσκωconcessive participle ('although knowing')→ constative aoristἐπιγινώσκω: 'know fully, recognize' (ἐπί-intensive of γινώσκω); the concessive force seals their guilt — they sin with full knowledge.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content/appositional clause)
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
τοιαῦταsuch thingsAccusativedirect object of πράσσοντεςτοιοῦτος: 'such, of this kind'; the deeds catalogued in vv.29–31.
πράσσοντεςwho practicePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πράσσωsubstantival participle (subject of εἰσίν)→ customary (characteristic)πράσσω: 'do, practice'; habitual practice with a negative tinge (cf. 2:1) — those who make a habit of such things.
ἄξιοιworthyNominativepredicate nominativeἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; deserving of the named penalty.
θανάτουof deathGenitivegenitive (w/ ἄξιοι: 'worthy of')θάνατος: 'death'; the deserved sentence — likely eschatological death, the wage of sin (cf. 6:23).
εἰσίνthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ gnomic present
οὐnotnegative particle
μόνονonlyadverb (w/ οὐ … ἀλλὰ καί)οὐ μόνον … ἀλλὰ καί: 'not only … but also' — escalating to the worse offense.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object
ποιοῦσινthey doPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb→ customary presentποιέω: 'do, make'; here the actual commission of the deeds.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
συνευδοκοῦσινthey approve/consentPres Act Indic 3 Pl · συνευδοκέωmain verb→ customary presentσυνευδοκέω: 'heartily approve, consent with' (σύν + εὖ + δοκέω); to applaud others' wrongdoing — judged the deeper corruption, since it endorses evil beyond one's own act.
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
πράσσουσινwho practice themPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · πράσσωsubstantival participle (object of συνευδοκοῦσιν)→ customary (characteristic)πράσσω: 'practice'; those who habitually do such things — applauded by the corrupt.