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Comments on on Romans 1:18-20

Published by Andrew Esping under on Monday, August 18, 2008
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ESV

This is one of those sections of Scripture that when I read it causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end. 2nd Timothy 3:16 says "All Scripture is breathed out by God" which should be enough to cause us to tremble at the hearing of His Word. I'm going to take a few minutes and share a few comments on this particular passage in Scripture.

Verse 18 says:
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Pretty scary verse, but what does it mean when it says "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness?" As Dr. D. James Kennedy says "All does not mean all, all of the time," is this one of those moments when all only means a certain amount or a select few? Lets read it in that context: "For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against a select few of the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." It seems to me that this interpretation contradicts God's character as a just God who always punishes sin and always maintains His Holy Name. From what we see of God from His word, He is not the type to "Turn His Head" or to "Look the other way" at what we might call a few minor sins. God cannot tolerate sin, from that viewpoint it is easy to see that NO sin is a minor sin to Him. But God has mercy on whom He will have mercy, and his love is never ending toward His elect. Even so God never lets sin go unpunished. Something that should strike terror into our hearts, and at the same time cause us to be thankful for His ever abounding mercy.

Verse 19: 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

"God has shown it to them," what is the antecedent of "them"? I think if we go back to verse 18 we find it's "men." Now another question arises, to who exactly does "men refer?" I am open to correction on this but from what I understand "men" refers to all mankind. So from what I see, Paul is saying that the evidence of God has been shown to all mankind and "plain to them." How has it been made plain to them? Lets look at the next verse.

Verse 20: 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

It has been made plain by the things that He has made. By his attributes, and Paul goes on to share a few of the many. God's creation is such an overwhelming and complex system that it clearly demonstrates God's existence. The alternate ideas, which the flesh has invented with are so ridiculous that "they are without excuse." Dr. Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, what would he say to God at the end of time answered "Why did you take such pains to hide yourself." This answer is unacceptable, when Dawkins says this he is suppressing the truth and is "without excuse." I am reminded of the words of Romans 3: 19: 19Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. Romans 3:19. My guess is that Mr. Dawkins will not ask God that question.

Questions or Comments? Please feel free to contact me at andrew32693@yahoo.com