“And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
And exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal human beings and birds and animals and reptiles. The exchange (allassō) represents the core sin of idolatry: substituting the incomparable glory and majesty of the eternal God for representations of creatures, whether human or animal. The descent through the chain of created beings (human to beast to reptile) visually depicts the degradation inherent in idolatry. This recalls the sin of Aaron's golden calf and the polemic against pagan idolatry throughout Scripture.
Church Fathers on Romans 1:23
“And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.” The first charge is, that they did not find God; the second was, that it was while they had great and clear means to do it; the third, that withal they said they were wise; the fourth, that they not only did not find that Reverend Being, but even lowered Him to devils and to stones and stocks. Now he takes down their…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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