were consumed with passion for one another

The Greek that is translated as “were consumed with passion for one another” or similar in English is translated as “became dark in their hearts by a lustful heart toward one another” in Hopi, as “only exceedingly desired to do evil in a different way with other men” in Central Tarahumara, and as “with ardent desire doing what is not good” in Sierra de Juárez Zapotec. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

men committing shameless acts with men

The Greek that is translated as “men committing shameless acts with men” or similar in English is translated aw “man with man they did all filthiness without shame” in Isthmus Zapotec, as “an unclean and shameful thing they did with their bodies, men with men” in Yatzachi Zapotec, and as “they slept with their fellow men. They did that which gives shame” in Central Mazahua. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

complete verse (Romans 1:27)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 1:27:

  • Uma: “Men [i.e., males] did the same also: they did not wive women, but desired only their fellow men. Men did behavior that is not fitting with fellow men, and in the end they received punishment that is in keeping with that wrong behavior of theirs.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Likewise also the men no longer want/like/desire women but what they desire/want is their fellow males and/so that they do evil/bad together. Male does shameful things with male. The repayment to them matches these their evil deeds.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And in the same way also the men; it’s no longer women they sleep with but they become sexually aroused by even other men. And it’s very shameful what they do with their bodies. And by means of their wicked behavior, they destroy their bodies and this becomes a punishment for them which cannot be avoided.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “So also with the men. They have turned-their-backs-on their proper sleeping-with women so that it’s their fellow men whom they exceedingly crave to sleep-with. Therefore they are undergoing the punishment that is fitting for the filthy-things they have been doing.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Also like this the men do. They do not want to marry and live with wives. Rather they do shameful things with their fellowmen. But concerning how these people live, there is a payment in that their manner of life is all ruined.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Chicahuaxtla Triqui: “And that’s what the men began to do also, because they left off talking with the women and they began to lust each one after his fellow and very ugly things they did among themselves, man with man. Therefore on account of this sin they suffer punishment because they have left the road of God.” (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

Translation commentary on Romans 1:27

The first sentence of verse 27 may be rendered in some languages as “in a similar way men give up sleeping with women and want to sleep with other men” or “… want to have men as their wives.” Men do shameful things with each other may be rendered as “men have sexual relations with one another, and this is shameful” or “… this is bad.”

They themselves are punished as they deserve is literally “the payment which is necessary” (see New English Bible “the fitting wage”), but in the present context “payment” refers to God’s punishment upon them. In a number of languages the passive are punished must be changed into an active expression—for example, “as a result God punishes them.”

Wrongdoing is literally “deceit” or “error” (see Revised Standard Version), but the reference is to sexual perversion (see New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible). For their wrongdoing may be rendered as “because of the evil which they have done” or “because of the bad way in which the have acted.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .