Romans 1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

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.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

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;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

What does Romans 1:18 mean?

Explanation

Romans 1:18 speaks of God's divine displeasure toward all forms of ungodliness and wickedness perpetrated by humanity.

This verse serves as a transition from an introduction in which Paul, the apostle, expresses his longing to preach the gospel in Rome, to a section where he outlines the need for salvation through the gospel.

The phrase "wrath of God" denotes a righteous indignation that is a response to human sinfulness. The "revelation from heaven" implies that this judgment is divine, coming from God rather than being a human conception.

This verse stresses the idea that there is a suppression of truth by those who engage in unrighteous acts, suggesting that individuals are aware of a moral truth but choose to ignore or violate it.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

The Apostle Paul wrote the Epistle to the Romans in approximately 57 AD. Romans is one of Paul's later letters, written from Corinth during his third missionary journey. During this time, the Roman church was predominantly Gentile, but there was a significant Jewish presence as well.

The cultural and religious milieu at the time was diverse, with Roman paganism being the dominant religious practice, but with a myriad of different beliefs and philosophies present in the empire.

Theological Insights

The verse has been interpreted from various theological viewpoints:

Reformed Theology: In this tradition, Romans 1:18 is seen as an expression of God's sovereignty and justice.

It is an affirmation that God actively responds to human sin with a holy and just anger.

Arminian Theology: From this perspective, while God's wrath is indeed revealed against sin, humans have been given free will and are responsible for their choice to reject the truth of God.
Catholic Theology: The wrath of God is understood within the context of God’s overall justice and mercy. It’s a starting point that highlights the seriousness of sin and the necessity of turning to God's grace through the Church.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse can serve as a stern reminder to live righteously and uphold the truth. It calls believers to examine if there are ways in which they might be suppressing the truth through their actions or inactions.

Furthermore, it encourages the faithful to witness to the truth and to not conform to the patterns of ungodliness in the world.

Cross-References

Ephesians 5:6: "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
John 3:36: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

Language Study

In this verse, the Greek word for "wrath" is "orge," which often refers to a growing, settled, and abiding wrath rather than a sudden outburst.

The Greek term for "revealed" is "apokalyptetai," indicating an unveiling or uncovering.

"Ungodliness" from "asebeia," represents a lack of reverence for, or violation of, the sacred.

"Unrighteousness" translates from "adikia," which can mean injustice or moral wrongfulness.

"Hold" comes from the Greek "katechō," implying to suppress or hold down.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient Greco-Roman mythologies, the gods often displayed anger and wrath towards humans, usually due to direct offenses against them.

However, the concept in Romans 1:18 of a singular God being wrathful due to the suppression of truth shows a marked difference in the monotheistic and ethical nature of the Judeo-Christian God when compared to the often capricious and personal nature of wrath in pagan deities.

Scientific Perspectives

The concept of divine wrath does not pertain directly to scientific inquiry as it is a theological and moral topic.

However, the themes of morality, truth, and their influence on society are studied within the social sciences. Research on human behavior and ethics aligns with this verse's admonition against suppressing truth for unrighteousness.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians have opined on Romans 1:18.

Some, like John Stott, emphasize the gravity of God’s righteousness and the seriousness of the human rejection of God’s truth.

Others might highlight the universality of this revelation of wrath, as Douglas Moo does, indicating that no one is exempt from this divine judgment without the salvation offered in Jesus Christ.

N.T.

Wright would suggest that this verse speaks of a covenantal wrath, God's fair response to humanity’s covenantal unfaithfulness.

Romans 1

Romans 1

What does Romans 1:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 1:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?