Deserving Death
Yes, verse 32 is harsh, no doubt about it. But then again, very often the truth is very harsh as well.
This is Paul's summation of God's view of sin in general, and of sin done knowingly and deliberately in particular. In spite of knowing God condemns these things, not only do they keep on doing them, but even worse, they approve others who do it as well!
Why is that worse? Because it encourages others to join in these practices as well. Others who might not know what God has said about it can be led into grievous sin because of what others approve. So here Paul joins Jesus in roundly and harshly condemning anyone who leads an innocent into sin!
Jesus said they deserve a millstone hung around their neck, Paul says they deserve death. Two different ways of saying exactly the same thing!
The wages of sin are indeed death. Sin is serious, and we must strive to take it that way without becoming judgmental as Paul will talk about in chapter two.
This is Paul's summation of God's view of sin in general, and of sin done knowingly and deliberately in particular. In spite of knowing God condemns these things, not only do they keep on doing them, but even worse, they approve others who do it as well!
Why is that worse? Because it encourages others to join in these practices as well. Others who might not know what God has said about it can be led into grievous sin because of what others approve. So here Paul joins Jesus in roundly and harshly condemning anyone who leads an innocent into sin!
Jesus said they deserve a millstone hung around their neck, Paul says they deserve death. Two different ways of saying exactly the same thing!
The wages of sin are indeed death. Sin is serious, and we must strive to take it that way without becoming judgmental as Paul will talk about in chapter two.
