Romans: Without Excuse

Romans 1:18-23

Paul explained the theme of his letter in Romans 1:16-17. He boldly stated that he was not ashamed to proclaim the good news about Jesus, because it was the only way for people to have a relationship with the living God. The gospel (“news of victory”) provides the power to have a right standing before God and to live for God. 

This could raise some questions. 

• Why do we need a right standing before God? 
• Isn’t man inherently good?  
• Can’t we earn a right standing before God by being a good person?

In the next part of his letter (Rom. 1:18—3:20), Paul explains why humanity cannot reach God without his intervention. Paul stresses the sobering truth that we are condemned before God and are helpless and hopeless without Jesus and his work on the cross.  

Some biblical scholars believe that Romans 1:18-32 discusses the state of humanity before God called Abraham and established his chosen people.[1] However, we will see in this section that Paul uses the present tense and refers to sinful lifestyles that are common today. Therefore, I think it’s best to see this part of Paul’s letter as a timeless description of what occurs when we reject God. 

Paul’s opening statement (Rom. 1:18) introduces this part of Romans. He begins by pointing out that sin condemns everyone and results in God’s judgment.

Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 

We need the righteousness that God provides (Rom. 1:16-17) because of our state of “ungodliness.” The Greek word translated as “ungodliness” (asebeian) means a “lack of proper reverence for God.” God’s wrath is the expression of his righteousness and its opposition to human sinfulness.^[2] God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus at the cross, where he paid for our sins in full. Those who “suppress the truth,” meaning they ignore or reject Jesus’ work on their behalf, will personally experience God’s wrath. Sometimes that judgment is felt now, in the present, but it will absolutely be revealed in the future (Rom. 2:5).

So, what about those who have never heard about Jesus? It seems unfair that God would judge someone for what they didn’t know.

Paul anticipates that question and explains that God has made himself known through general or natural revelation.

Romans 1:19-20
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For 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. 

God continually reveals himself in creation. The psalmist said, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (Ps. 19:1-2). This is called “general revelation” because “everyone receives it, just by virtue of being alive in God’s world.”[3] Theologian R. C. Sproul adds that, along with God’s presence all around us in creation, he also reveals himself to us in the human mind. He writes: 

Deep within our souls we know that God exists and that He has given His law to us. We seek to suppress this knowledge in order to escape God’s commands. But no matter how hard we try, we cannot silence this inner voice. It can be muffled but not destroyed.[4] 

All of us are made in God’s image; therefore, everyone has a moral sense. God has “put eternity into man’s heart” (Eccl. 3:11). There is a deep desire for purpose and meaning. Because we are created in God’s image, each person instinctively knows that there is something beyond this life. Still, we often try to suppress this awareness to “escape God’s commands.” 

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 

Through natural revelation and the moral awareness that comes from being created in God’s image, people recognize that God exists. However, in our desire to be our own gods, our hearts and minds become dulled and darkened to the truth. We suppress the truth about God and elevate our own desires. 

Because we are created in God’s image, we have a natural desire to worship something. However, by refusing to give glory to God, people end up worshiping things such as “images resembling mortal man and birds and animals, and creeping things.” To avoid God, humanity often worships the things that remind us of him—things of nature. Yet, we are hesitant to bow before the “glory of the immortal God.” 

So, everyone is accountable to God for what he has revealed to each of us through creation and in our hearts. Rejecting God and suppressing the truth leads to God’s judgment. 

Let me conclude with this from Bible scholars:

Instead of debating the fate of those who have never heard, we, as Christians, should be doing our best to make sure they do hear. We are called to spread the gospel throughout the nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). We know people reject the knowledge of God revealed in nature, and that must motivate us to proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Only by accepting God’s grace through the Lord Jesus Christ can people be saved from their sins and rescued from an eternity apart from God.[5]

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 1:18-23. Consider how creation proclaims the glory of God.

Talking to God: In what ways might you be suppressing the truth about God in your own life—and choosing created things over the Creator? 

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