Free Bible Commentary
“Romans 1:18-32”
Categories: Romans"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
“Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
"For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."
---End of Scripture verses---
Yesterday we read that the righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel (verse 17). In today’s reading, verse 18 tells us that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven. God’s wrath is actually a part of and a revelation of His righteousness. His perfect holiness will not allow Him to leave sin unpunished. It may appear that God has closed His eyes to all the sin that is running rampant in the world today, but God is not ignoring sin.
As a matter of fact, verse 18 says that God’s wrath is revealed against “all” ungodliness and unrighteousness. People may think that they can pull one over on God, but you can’t even slip one sin by Him without His knowledge of it. But just how does God reveal His wrath from heaven against man’s willful rebellion? I think He does that in many ways. It might be anything from the heavy weight of a guilty conscience to a prison sentence for criminal activity.
But the nature of God’s wrath that is specified in today’s passage is the “giving over” of people to the harsh consequences of their lustful desires and sinful lifestyle choices. Three times the writer says, “God gave them over” (verses 24, 26, 28). This is the Greek word “paradidomi” which means “to give into the hands of another.” If we refuse to follow the benevolent will of a loving God, He will let us go and deliver us over to the clutches of our malevolent and hate-filled adversary.
Let’s notice just a couple of things about the nature of sin depicted for us here. First of all, sin is progressive. Each time it is said that “God gave them over,” their sinful behavior went from bad, to worse, to worst. They (the ungodly Gentiles in this instance) went from idolatry to sexual impurity to homosexuality (yes homosexuality is sinful!!!) to “a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness…” (verses 28-29). In other words, anything goes. Please don’t misunderstand. This doesn’t mean you have to be a total reprobate in order to garner God’s displeasure. That’s not the point here. But once you delve into Satan’s realm, there’s no telling how far your life might spiral out of control.
And please let’s notice where this sinful chain reaction all began. Verse 21 tells us that “they did not honor Him as God or give thanks.” A major source of the problems in people’s lives, and in the world in general, is that the creature does not appreciate the Creator. An ungrateful heart is the wellspring of a bitter and miserable existence. If we are unthankful for the wonderful gifts that our merciful Father has blessed us with, we open the door for any and all types of failure and heartache.
Finally, please notice that this downward spiral didn’t begin from a place of ignorance. Verse 21 also says, “even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God…” Verse 19 says, “that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.” The people who have chosen to abandon God should know better. They actually do know better, but they have opted for a crooked and dark path in which to walk. There is ample evidence in the universe around us (and within us) that God exists…and that He is good (verse 20). Therefore the writer (the Holy Spirit) tells us that “they are without excuse.”
There is no good reason to find yourself in a far country of sin away from a righteous Father who loves you deeply. And there is no good excuse for that either. Has God given you over because you have let go of His loving hand? He’s just waiting for you to come to your senses and turn back around.
Repent of your sins and He will forgive you. If you’ve never been baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), please do that and He will make all things new for you spiritually (2 Corinthians 5:17). The only way to avoid the eternal consequences and punishment for your sins is to turn to Christ in humble and obedient faith (Romans 1:5). If we can help please let us know.
Please read Romans 2:1-16 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
