Q. What does the bible mean when it speaks of someone having a reprobate mind?

(Submitted by: S. W.)

A. The King James Version of the Bible (KJV) shows three verses in the New Testament which use the word reprobate:

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient" (Romans 1:28)

"Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." ( 2Timothy 3:8)

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16)

Even if we don’t know what the definition of the word is, we can see from the context clues that it doesn’t mean anything of a complimentary nature! Someone didn’t like to retain God in their knowledge, so they became reprobate; men of corrupt minds are reprobate concerning the faith; someone denies God and is reprobate regarding good works. It sounds as if these people are not living the right way. They don’t seem to have a desire to please God. The result of their approach to life is this state of being reprobate.

We can often find more of what a verse means by comparing how other translations word those verses. For example, notice these same verses from the New International Version:

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." (Romans 1:28)

"Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth -- men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected." (2Timothy 3:8)

"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." (Titus 1:16)

Notice how similarly the New King James Version translates these:

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting" (Romans 1:28)

"Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith" (2 Timothy 3:8)

"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." (Titus 1:16)

In these three verses quoted from the New Testament, "reprobate" is translated from the Greek word "adokimos" (pronounced ad-ok'-ee-mos), which means unapproved, rejected , and by implication, worthless. This word is translated in the KJV as "castaway," "rejected," and as "reprobate."

What do we know about someone who has a reprobate mind? We know from Romans 1:28 that the people under discussion did not like to retain God in their knowledge. As a result, God gave them over to this reprobate, depraved, debased, unapproved, rejected, and virtually worthless state of mind.

The people Paul is discussing in Romans chapter 1 are godless and wicked men who suppress the truth by their wickedness ( Romans 1:18). Paul claims that

"they knew God, [however] they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles" (verses 21-23).

Paul is railing against some vile people who crept into the early church and began to teach other things, other doctrines, other gospels, and were successful at leading many astray. It was a problem right from the start, and it has continued to be a problem down to this very day! Perhaps as we continue reading what Paul said in Romans chapter 1, we might recognize some people or organizations in the news today!

We know some of the early heresies of the first century church. Among the leading heresies was Gnosticism, from "gnosis" (knowledge). These liars taught a special kind of "inside knowledge" that led many away from the truth they had recently learned from the apostles! May I recommend reading the article, " Are We Under Bondage to the Law?". Read especially Part 2 of the article: "The Shocking Story of the Gnostics!"

Many of the epistles are written as a direct defense of "the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" ( Jude 3) against the onslaught of Gnosticism and other heresies. Paul wasn’t pulling any punches when he railed against these enemies of the truth, whether you’re reading about it in Romans or any of his other epistles. Paul was very concerned about the danger these snakes could do to the church members. He rightly called them depraved, debased, and ultimately, rejected!

What about you and me? Might we be reprobates? The good news is, truly converted followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ don’t have to worry that they will be found "reprobate" – disapproved and disqualified – as long as they remain on the narrow, difficult path leading to the narrow gate of salvation ( Matthew 7:13-14). I hope this answer helps you and encourages you in your study of God’s Word.

Other Recommended Bible Study Materials:

• What is the unpardonable (unforgivable) sin?
• What THREE THINGS should all children learn?
• Was there rain on the earth before the flood?

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