Romans 1:19 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

NASB: because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

CSB: since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.

NLT: They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.

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

NKJV: because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

The previous verse began with what should be a frightening statement. Paul said that God is angry at human sinfulness. In fact, God's wrath is revealed against all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of humanity, a terrifying idea since God is all-powerful. Human beings who are not righteous before God do not want to know the truth about Him, so they suppress it, holding it back from themselves and others (Romans 1:18).

Now Paul shows that such an attempt to avoid knowing about God is useless. Human beings cannot claim to have missed what God has revealed about Himself in nature. The "them" referenced here are those people who suppress the truth in order to disobey God. This verse says, in no uncertain terms, that God has made Himself plain to those who deny Him, or who disobey Him. Their disobedience is not a result of ignorance; it's caused by rebellion.

The following verses will give more details on what God has revealed to everyone through His creation.

Romans 1:18–32 describes why God rightfully condemns humanity and some of what He has done about it. Humanity's fall is pictured as a downward progression. It starts with rejecting God as creator, refusing to see what can be known about Him by what He has made. We also reject that He is our provider and stop giving Him thanks. We worship His creation instead of Him. Finally, God acts by giving us over to the unchecked expression of our corrupt sexual desires and all other kinds of sin. In part, He expresses His wrath by giving us what we want and condemning us to suffer the painful consequences.

Romans 1 introduces Paul and his purpose in writing this letter to the Christians in Rome. As servant and apostle of Jesus, Paul's mission in life is to preach the gospel of Jesus to all people groups, both Jews and Gentiles. He hopes to do so in Rome soon. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. It is God's power for the salvation of all people by faith in Christ. We need to be saved because God is angry with us. Because of our sin, humanity has rejected Him as creator and provider. We worship created things, instead. In response, God has given us over to indulge in all kinds of sinful practices that lead to misery now and His angry judgment later.

Romans 1 begins with Paul's introduction of himself and his mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After telling the Christians in Rome that he is eager to come see them and preach the gospel there, Paul declares that the gospel is God's power to save everyone who believes in Jesus. We need to be saved, because our sin has earned God's wrath. As a whole, humanity has rejected God as creator and provider. We worship creation instead of Him. In response, He has given us over to the full indulgence of our sinful desires. We are guilty and deserve His judgment.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 5/4/2024 10:11:09 PM