Audio commentary on this verse

Note 2 at Rom. 1:24: This phrase "God gave them up" is used twice in this passage (here and in verse 26) and the phrase "God gave them over" is used once (v. 28). These phrases are drawing on the fact that there is a God-given intuitive knowledge inside of every person that would prevent him from committing such depraved acts (see note 2 at Rom. 1:18, p. 744). However, because of our free choice, God will not continue to force that restraint upon us against our will. If a person persists in his rebellion against this conviction of God, He will give that person up to his own heart's lust.

Therefore, a person who is committing some of the terrible acts spoken of here (idolatry, homosexuality, etc.) and says that he has no conviction about it is either lying (Rom. 1:18-20) or he has been given over to a reprobate mind (see note 6 at v. 28, below) by God.