In Romans 1:26-27, Paul says some things that might be difficult to understand.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error  (emphasis added).

Romans 1:26-27 (NIV)

In verse 27, what does “received in themselves the due penalty for their error” mean? 

To understand what Paul meant when he said, “received in themselves the due penalty for their error,” we must examine the context. The context for Romans 1:26-27 starts at Romans 1:18.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Romans 1:18-19 (NIV)

The context is that God’s wrath is “being revealed against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them” (Romans 1:18-19, NIV). 

Therefore, the “Because of this” in Romans 1:26 refers to “godlessness,” “wickedness,” and the suppression of the truth. Thus, everything Paul says from verse 18 through verse 32 is within this context. In the following verses, Paul continues his discourse. 

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 1:20-21 (NIV)

In verse 19, Paul pointed out that God has made everything “plain” to people about himself. In these two verses, we see that those “plain” things make up his “invisible qualities,” revealing his power and divine nature. When Paul says these things are “clearly seen,” he’s saying that it’s self-evident that everything we see, from the stars in the sky to the blades of grass at our feet, was created by a powerful diving being. That’s to say they didn’t happen by accident and reveal an intelligent design.

Paul says God’s qualities can be seen and understood because of how people respond to what they see. How did people respond? Let’s continue on and see.

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans 1:22-23 (NIV)

That’s right. Instead of recognizing God’s divinity and immeasurable power, they made images that were mortal and worshipped them. How did God respond to this idolatry? 

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen (emphasis added).

Romans 1:24-25 (NIV)

God allowed these folks to do what they wanted to fulfill the “sinful desires of their hearts.” One such desire was sexual immorality. Thus, because these people gave into their sinful desires, “they exchanged the truth about God for a lie” and committed idolatry. 

Now, we have reached verses 26 and 27.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error  (emphasis added).

Romans 1:26-27 (NIV)

Because these people ignored God’s divinity and created their own idols to worship, “God gave them over” to their “sinful desires” (Romans 1:24, NIV). Verse 26 clarifies what has already been said, “God gave them over to shameful lusts.” Then, Paul gives examples of these “sinful desires” and “shameful lusts” committed by women and men. When Paul says they “received in themselves the due penalty for their error,” he’s talking about how these people (both men and women) have “suppress[ed] the truth” (about God and his divine nature and power) to do what they want (their “sinful desires”) and worship idols. 

Thus, what Paul is saying in Romans 1:26-27 is that these people commit homosexual acts and think it’s okay. The ultimate “error” is that they have turned from God when they know of God’s divine and incredible power. Instead of recognizing the error of their way, they think they are in the right and do what they want. In this way, the “idol” these folks have set up is themselves. 

The context of Romans 1:26-27 continues. Paul gives us further clarification. 

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

Romans 1:28 (NIV)

Verse 28 reveals that Paul is talking about all sins that stem from those with “depraved minds.” Indeed, in verses 29-31, Paul gives us a list of things that people do who have turned from God to follow their own “sinful desires.” 

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy (emphasis added).

Romans 1:29-31 (NIV)

“They invent ways of doing evil” is perhaps the “worst” of what people do when they decide to go their own way and set themselves up as their own “god.” Finally, Paul gives one last description of how these wicked people live and think. 

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them (emphasis added).

Romans 1:32 (NIV)

One doesn’t have far to go to see that Paul was right. From homosexuality to deceit and parental disobedience, there are plenty of people around to approve of how others misbehave. Perhaps the only exception is murder. As far as I know, even the most wicked people around us don’t approve of murder. 

Thus, in Romans 1:26-27, Paul is not talking about sexually transmitted diseases or any other physical or psychological consequences of homosexuality as some might think. However, there is a spiritual consequence of all sin, which can be found in Romans 6:23.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 (NIV)