Audio commentary on this verse

Note 5 at Rom. 1:28: The reason they did not like to retain God in their knowledge is because the knowledge of God would have convicted them and restrained them from committing such acts. This is the same motivation behind the actions of those who oppose Christianity so strongly today. People want to sin without anyone convicting them.

Note 6 at Rom. 1:28: The Greek word translated "reprobate" is "adokimos" and it means "undiscerning; not distinguishing; void of judgment." In this text it may be understood as "an abominable mind, a mind to be abhorred by God and man" (KSB).

This is describing the state of a person who has "passed the point of no return" with God. As the context explains, God has revealed Himself to every person who has ever walked the earth. But there comes a point where God's Spirit will not strive with man any longer (Gen. 6:3). When that happens, the individual is hopelessly damned because no one can come to the Father except the Spirit draws him (see note 8 at Jn. 6:44, p. 243; see note 6 at Acts 24:25 p. 718).

Therefore a reprobate person is a person whom God has abandoned and there is no hope of salvation for him. Paul applied this term to Christians who had renounced their faith in Christ (2 Cor. 13:5-7; 2 Tim. 3:8; Ti. 1:16; see note 5 at Acts 5:5, p. 595).

Some people may fear that they are reprobate because of some sin or blasphemy (see note 1 at Mt. 12:31, p. 186) that they have uttered. However, as these verses describe, a reprobate person is past feeling remorse or conviction. If anyone is repentant over some terrible action, then that is proof itself that the Spirit of God is still drawing him and he is not reprobate. A reprobate person wouldn't care.