What Does Romans 1:32 Mean in the King James?

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1:32 · KJV
The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

The verse treats approval as a way of joining an act, even when someone else does it.

You can recognize God’s judgment that these acts are worthy of death and still do them or approve those who do. Recognition alone does not prevent participation; approval joins you to another person’s act.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that knowing God’s judgment automatically keeps a person from participating. The verse places knowing beside both action and approval, so recognition by itself does not guarantee alignment.

συνευδοκοῦσιν

syneudokousin

GROWS FROM

⁨δοκ-⁩ (dok-), from ⁨δοκέω⁩ (dokeō)

To think or seem; in this compound, to approve or agree with.

“have pleasure” in this verse is syneudokousin. This is pleasure as joined approval: the word’s “with,” “well,” and “think” elements make the favorable judgment accompany what another person does. The verse presents that approval as participation alongside the act, beyond doing it oneself.

ALSO GROWS

eudokia: good pleasure, favor

εὐδοκία

This related word carries the favorable judgment contained in approval.

syneudokeō: approve with, consent

συνευδοκέω

This is the verb used in the verse; its “with” sense brings the approver alongside the person acting.

ἐπιγνόντες

epignontes

GROWS FROM

⁨γνω-⁩ (gnō-), from ⁨γινώσκω⁩ (ginōskō)

To know, recognize, perceive; a knowing by encounter, not information alone.

The word names recognition of God’s judgment, yet the verse places that recognition beside both doing and approval. Knowing is present, but it does not by itself describe what a person chooses or endorses.

ALSO GROWS

ginōskō: know, perceive

γινώσκω

This base verb carries the knowing at the heart of the word used here.

gnōsis: knowledge

γνῶσις

The related noun shows the same root extending into knowledge itself.

Recognizing wrongdoing does not prevent complicity when approval joins the doer.

When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Psalm 50:18 · KJVConsent places the observer alongside another person’s wrongdoing.
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
2 John 1:11 · KJVThe verse describes a person sharing in another’s deeds through support.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32 · KJV

Both verses use the Greek knowing-root: Romans speaks of recognizing God’s judgment, while John joins knowing truth with freedom. The shared root reveals a distinction between recognizing something and being freed through knowing it.

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Romans 1:32 KJV Meaning