And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
And even as they did not like, х ouk (G3756) edokimasan (G1381) = apedokimasan (G593)] - or 'disliked,' though the negative form of the expression is intended to convey its own shade of thought,
To retain God in their knowledge, х echein (G2192) en (G1722) epignoosei (G1922)] - 'to have God in recognition,'
God gave them over (or 'up,' see the note at Romans 1:24)
To a reprobate mind х eis (G1519) adokimon (G96) noun (G3563)]. The word signifies 'disapproved' on trial (as metals, when they are assayed and found worthless), 'reprobate;' and, next, as the result of this, 'rejected,' 'cast away.' But it is very difficult to convey in any English translation the play upon words which has been long observed in the two terms here employed. [The Vulgate and Calvin have tried it in Latin-Et sicut non probaverunt ... tradidit Deus in reprobum sensum (reprobam mentem-Calvin)]. Conybeare's version is not good English-`As they thought fit to cast out the acknowledgment of God, God gave them over to an outcast mind.' DeWette's version comes pretty near it-`Und so win sie die Kenntnisz Gottes verwarjen, so gab sie Gott einem verworfenen Sinnepreis.' Were we, at some sacrifice of smooth English, to retain this alliteration, perhaps it might not be too harsh to translate thus: 'And even as they reprobated retaining God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind.'
To do those things which are not convenient, х ta (G3588) mee (G3361) katheekonta (G2520)] - in the old sense of that word, that is, 'not becoming,' 'indecorous.'