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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/1-22.htm" title="Romans 1:22">◄</a> Romans 1:23 <a href="/romans/1-24.htm" title="Romans 1:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/1.htm">New International Version</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/nlt/romans/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/esv/romans/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. <a href="/bsb/romans/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/blb/romans/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and they changed the glory of the immortal God into a likeness of an image of mortal man and birds and quadrupeds and creeping things. <a href="/kjv/romans/1.htm">King James Bible</a> And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. <a href="/nkjv/romans/1.htm">New King James Version</a> and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. <a href="/nasb_/romans/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. <a href="/nasb/romans/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. <a href="/nasb77/romans/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. <a href="/lsb/romans/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. <a href="/amp/romans/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles. <a href="/csb/romans/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. <a href="/hcsb/romans/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. <a href="/asv/romans/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. <a href="/cev/romans/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They don't worship the glorious and eternal God. Instead, they worship idols that are made to look like humans who cannot live forever, and like birds, animals, and reptiles. <a href="/erv/romans/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. <a href="/gwt/romans/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for statues that looked like mortal humans, birds, animals, and snakes. <a href="/gnt/romans/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> instead of worshiping the immortal God, they worship images made to look like mortals or birds or animals or reptiles. <a href="/isv/romans/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that looked like mortal human beings, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. <a href="/msb/romans/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/net/romans/1.htm">NET Bible</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. <a href="/nheb/romans/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and traded the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal humans, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. <a href="/wbt/romans/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping animals. <a href="/wey/romans/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. <a href="/web/romans/1.htm">World English Bible</a> and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and of quadrupeds, and of reptiles. <a href="/blb/romans/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and they changed the glory of the immortal God into a likeness of an image of mortal man and birds and quadrupeds and creeping things. <a href="/ylt/romans/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of fowls, and of quadrupeds, and of reptiles. <a href="/slt/romans/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of flying things, and of creeping things, and of quadrupeds.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of the image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and of fourfooted beasts, and of creeping things. <a href="/cpdv/romans/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of flying things, and of four-legged beasts, and of serpents. <a href="/nabre/romans/1.htm">New American Bible</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes. <a href="/nrsvce/romans/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they have changed the glory of the uncorruptible God for an image made in the likeness of corruptible man, and in the likeness of birds, and of four-footed beasts, and of creeping things on the earth. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they changed the glory of God, who is indestructible, into the likeness of the image of man, which is destructible, and into the likeness of birds and of four footed animals and of creeping things of The Earth.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.<CM> <a href="/godbey/romans/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and changed the glory of the invisible God into the similitude of the likeness of corruptible man, and of birds, and of quadrupeds, and of creeping things. <a href="/haweis/romans/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and of quadrupeds, and of reptiles. <a href="/mace/romans/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> the honour due to God, who is immortal, they transferr'd to idols representing men, who are mortal, to birds, and beasts, and insects. <a href="/wey/romans/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. <a href="/worrell/romans/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and quadrupeds, and reptiles. <a href="/worsley/romans/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for an image like to corruptible man, and birds, and beasts, and reptiles. <a href="/parallel/romans/1-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=203" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/1.htm">God's Wrath against Sin</a> …22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/236.htm" title="236: ēllaxan (V-AIA-3P) -- To change, alter, exchange, transform. From allos; to make different.">exchanged</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1391.htm" title="1391: doxan (N-AFS) -- From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.">glory</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/862.htm" title="862: aphthartou (Adj-GMS) -- Indestructible, imperishable, incorruptible; hence: immortal. Undecaying.">immortal</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3667.htm" title="3667: homoiōmati (N-DNS) -- From homoioo; a form; abstractly, resemblance."></a> <a href="/greek/1504.htm" title="1504: eikonos (N-GFS) -- An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance.">images</a> <a href="/greek/5349.htm" title="5349: phthartou (Adj-GMS) -- Corruptible, perishable. From phtheiro; decayed, i.e. perishable.">of mortal</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpou (N-GMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">man</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4071.htm" title="4071: peteinōn (N-GNP) -- A bird, fowl. Neuter of a derivative of petomai; a flying animal, i.e. Bird.">birds</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5074.htm" title="5074: tetrapodōn (Adj-GNP) -- Four-footed. From tessares and pous; a quadruped.">animals</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2062.htm" title="2062: herpetōn (N-GNP) -- Neuter of a derivative of herpo; a reptile, i.e. (compare remes) a small animal.">reptiles.</a> 24Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4-5</a> You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, <a href="/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16-18</a> that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female, / of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air, / or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below. <a href="/psalms/106-20.htm">Psalm 106:20</a> They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox. <a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11</a> Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a> All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ... <a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">Isaiah 40:18-20</a> To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him? / To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? / One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. <a href="/isaiah/42-8.htm">Isaiah 42:8</a> I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols. <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a> Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-20</a> Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-2.htm">1 Corinthians 12:2</a> You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. <a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15</a> They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/2_chronicles/33-7.htm">2 Chronicles 33:7</a> Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever. <a href="/ezekiel/8-10.htm">Ezekiel 8:10</a> So I went in and looked, and engraved all around the wall was every kind of crawling creature and detestable beast, along with all the idols of the house of Israel. <a href="/hosea/4-7.htm">Hosea 4:7</a> The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. <a href="/revelation/9-20.htm">Revelation 9:20</a> Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.changed.<a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a> Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.<a href="/psalms/106-20.htm">Psalm 106:20</a> Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.<a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11</a> Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.an image.<a href="/deuteronomy/4-15.htm">Deuteronomy 4:15-18</a> Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: … <a href="/deuteronomy/5-8.htm">Deuteronomy 5:8</a> Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:<a href="/psalms/115-5.htm">Psalm 115:5-8</a> They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/23-24.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/acts/23-24.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/acts/28-13.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-4.htm">Corruptible</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Crawling</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Creeping</a> <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Fourfooted</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Four-Footed</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/acts/19-35.htm">Image</a> <a href="/acts/19-24.htm">Images</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">Immortal</a> <a href="/mark/16-20.htm">Imperishable</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-4.htm">Incorruptible</a> <a href="/acts/27-11.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/acts/14-11.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/micah/1-9.htm">Mortal</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-23.htm">Perishable</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Quadrupeds</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Reptiles</a> <a href="/daniel/7-5.htm">Resembling</a> <a href="/john/12-5.htm">Traded</a> <a href="/acts/19-27.htm">Worshipped</a> <a href="/acts/26-7.htm">Worshipping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/15-32.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-32.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-39.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-25.htm">Corruptible</a> <a href="/genesis/7-21.htm">Crawling</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-13.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/james/3-7.htm">Creeping</a> <a href="/romans/2-7.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/acts/10-12.htm">Fourfooted</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-20.htm">Four-Footed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-39.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/romans/2-7.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Image</a> <a href="/romans/2-22.htm">Images</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-17.htm">Immortal</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-25.htm">Imperishable</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-25.htm">Incorruptible</a> <a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/romans/6-5.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/romans/6-12.htm">Mortal</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-25.htm">Perishable</a> <a href="/acts/10-12.htm">Quadrupeds</a> <a href="/james/3-7.htm">Reptiles</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-12.htm">Resembling</a> <a href="/revelation/18-15.htm">Traded</a> <a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Worshipped</a> <a href="/colossians/2-18.htm">Worshipping</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 1</div>1. <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Paul commends his calling to the Romans;</a> 9. <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">and his desire to come to them.</a> 16. <a href="/romans/1-16.htm">What his gospel is.</a> 18. <a href="/romans/1-18.htm">God is angry with sin.</a> 21. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">What were the sins of mankind.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>and exchanged the glory of the immortal God This phrase highlights the fundamental error of idolatry, where humanity turns away from the worship of the one true God. The "glory" of God refers to His divine majesty and holiness, which is eternal and unchanging. The term "immortal" emphasizes God's eternal nature, contrasting with the temporal nature of created things. This exchange is a recurring theme in Scripture, seen in the Israelites' worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32) and the warnings against idolatry throughout the Old Testament (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/42-8.htm">Isaiah 42:8</a>). Theologically, this exchange represents a rejection of God's sovereignty and a turning to self-made deities, which is a central issue in Paul's argument about the fallen state of humanity.for images of mortal man The creation of images or idols in the likeness of humans is a direct violation of the second commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4</a>). In the ancient world, it was common for people to create statues or images of gods in human form, reflecting their own attributes and desires. This anthropomorphism diminishes the divine nature of God, reducing Him to something finite and comprehensible. Theologically, this reflects humanity's attempt to control and manipulate the divine, rather than submitting to God's will. This practice is condemned throughout Scripture, as it leads to spiritual blindness and moral decay (<a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a>).and birds Birds were often associated with various deities in ancient cultures. For example, the Egyptians worshiped Horus, depicted as a falcon, and the Greeks had gods like Zeus, who was symbolized by an eagle. The worship of birds as divine representations is a further step away from the worship of the Creator, as it places the creation above the Creator (<a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a>). This reflects a distortion of the created order, where the beauty and majesty of birds, meant to point to God's creative power, become objects of worship themselves.and animals Animals were frequently deified in ancient religions. The Egyptians, for instance, revered the Apis bull and the cat goddess Bastet. This practice is a clear example of humanity's tendency to worship the creation rather than the Creator. In biblical history, the worship of animals is seen in the golden calf incident (Exodus 32), which was a direct affront to God's command. Theologically, this reflects a regression to a more primitive form of religion, where the tangible and visible are preferred over the spiritual and invisible.and reptiles Reptiles, such as snakes and crocodiles, were also objects of worship in various ancient cultures. The serpent, in particular, has a significant biblical history, being associated with the fall of man in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a>. In Egypt, the cobra was a symbol of protection and royalty, often depicted on the crowns of pharaohs. The worship of reptiles is indicative of humanity's descent into more base forms of idolatry, as these creatures are often seen as unclean or dangerous. This highlights the absurdity and futility of idolatry, as described in <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>, where the prophet mocks the making and worship of idols.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Romans, addressing the believers in Rome, providing theological insights and practical teachings. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_roman_church.htm">The Roman Church</a> The recipients of the letter, a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile Christians living in the heart of the Roman Empire. 3. <a href="/topical/i/idolatry.htm">Idolatry</a> The event or practice being addressed, where people exchanged the worship of the true God for the worship of created things.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_idolatry.htm">The Nature of Idolatry</a> Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can also be the elevation of anything above God in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_glory_of_god.htm">The Glory of God</a> Recognize the incomparable glory of God, who is immortal and beyond any created thing. Our worship should reflect His majesty and holiness. <a href="/topical/t/the_deception_of_idolatry.htm">The Deception of Idolatry</a> Idolatry is a deception that leads us away from the truth of God. It promises fulfillment but results in spiritual emptiness. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_modern_idolatry.htm">Guarding Against Modern Idolatry</a> In today's context, idolatry can manifest in the form of materialism, career, relationships, or even self-worship. We must be vigilant in identifying and removing these idols. <a href="/topical/w/worship_in_spirit_and_truth.htm">Worship in Spirit and Truth</a> True worship involves a heart fully devoted to God, aligning our lives with His will and purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 1</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_1_john_5_3_on_commandments.htm">What is the path to follow the Lord?</a> <a href="/q/soul's_path_to_enlightenment.htm">What is the journey of the soul to enlightenment?</a> <a href="/q/is_christianity_based_on_reason.htm">What is God's redemption plan for humanity?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_god's_wrath_shown_in_the_bible.htm">How does God's wrath manifest in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) Into an image made like to.--For the likeness of the image of mortal man. This anthropomorphism applies more especially to the religions of Greece and Rome. Representations of the Deity under the form of beasts were most common in Egypt. "Worship was universally paid to cattle, lions, cats, dogs, weasels, and otters; among the birds, to the sparrow-hawk, the hoopoe, the stork, and the sheldrake; and among fish, to the eel and lepidotus. Besides these, other creatures received local worship. The sheep was worshipped in Sais and the Thebais, but sacrificed and eaten in Lycopolis. The hippopotamus in the district of Papremis, and the crocodile in the greater part of the land, were considered specially sacred; but the latter was chased and eaten in Tentyra and Apollinopolis. The sacred serpent Thermapis which served as head-gear for Isis had holes in all the temples, where it was fed with veal fat." "Among the sacred beasts," says D?llinger, "the first place was given to the divine bulls, of which the Egyptians worshipped four." No doubt the images in Greece and the beasts in Egypt were by some of the people regarded only as symbols of the Deity, but it was in all probability only a small minority who were capable of drawing this distinction. <a href="/commentaries/romans/1-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. exchanged ἤλλαξαν (ēllaxan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_236.htm">Strong's 236: </a> To change, alter, exchange, transform. From allos; to make different. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. glory δόξαν (doxan) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1391.htm">Strong's 1391: </a> From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. immortal ἀφθάρτου (aphthartou) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_862.htm">Strong's 862: </a> Indestructible, imperishable, incorruptible; hence: immortal. Undecaying. God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. for ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. images εἰκόνος (eikonos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1504.htm">Strong's 1504: </a> An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance. of mortal φθαρτοῦ (phthartou) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5349.htm">Strong's 5349: </a> Corruptible, perishable. From phtheiro; decayed, i.e. perishable. man ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. birds πετεινῶν (peteinōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4071.htm">Strong's 4071: </a> A bird, fowl. Neuter of a derivative of petomai; a flying animal, i.e. Bird. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. animals τετραπόδων (tetrapodōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5074.htm">Strong's 5074: </a> Four-footed. From tessares and pous; a quadruped. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. reptiles. ἑρπετῶν (herpetōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2062.htm">Strong's 2062: </a> Neuter of a derivative of herpo; a reptile, i.e. (compare remes) a small animal. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/1-23.htm">NT Letters: Romans 1:23 And traded the glory of the incorruptible (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/1-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 1:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 1:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/1-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 1:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 1:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>