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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 1:19-32

In this last part of the chapter the apostle applies what he had said particularly to the Gentile world, in which we may observe, I. The means and helps they had to come to the knowledge of God. Though they had not such a knowledge of his law as Jacob and Israel had (Ps. 147:20), yet among them he left not himself without witness (Acts 14:17): For that which may be known, etc., Rom. 1:19, 20. Observe, 1. What discoveries they had: That which may be known of God is manifest, en autois?among... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 1:24-25

1:24-25 So then God abandoned them to uncleanness in their hearts' passionate desires for pleasure, desires which made them dishonour their bodies among themselves, for they are men who have exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and who worship and serve the creation more than they do the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. The word translated desires (epithumia, Greek #1939 ) is the key to this passage. Aristotle defined epithumia ( Greek #1939 ) as a reaching out after... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:25

Who changed the truth of God into a lie ,.... Not the truth of the Gospel, which they were unacquainted with; but that which might be known of God as true, and was known of them by the light of nature; or the true God himself, whom they "changed into a lie"; by ascribing to false deities, which were lying vanities, those things which were known of God; and by worshipping them instead of him: for they worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator ; or "above him" or "against... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:25

Changed the truth of God into a lie - In the place of the true worship of God, they established idolatry. In various places of Scripture idols are termed lies. Isaiah 44:20 ; Jeremiah 10:14 ; Jeremiah 13:25 . The true God was known among the primitive inhabitants of the earth, those who first became idolaters literally changed the truth of God into a lie: they did know the true God, but they put idols in his place. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:25

Verse 25 25.Who changed, etc. He repeats what he had said before, though in different words, in order to fix it deeper in our minds. When the truth of God is turned to a lie, his glory is obliterated. It is then but just, that they should be besprinkled with every kind of infamy, who strive to take away from God his honor, and also to reproach his name. — And worshipped, etc. That I might include two words in one, I have given this rendering. He points out especially the sin of idolatry; for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The inexcusableness of the heathen. In the twentieth verse the apostle speaks of the heathen as "without excuse." These words describe the condition of those who have wilfully rejected light. They do not, indeed, describe their condition from their own standpoint or from the standpoint of men generally. From their own standpoint men are seldom "without excuse." No matter how gross or glaring the offence is, the offender has usually some excuse to offer. Adam and Eve had their excuses... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The revelation of wrath. "For." Note the transition. The introduction into a status of righteousness presupposes a status of unrighteousness, involving wrath. So, then, we have here—man's guilt, God's wrath. I. MAN 'S GUILT . Man's guilt, which is his obnoxious relation to the judgment of God, is established by reference to the well-known state of the Gentile world, branded by its own doings as "ungodly" and "unrighteous." 1. Ungodliness. The deepest root of man's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

God's wrath as revealed among the Gentiles. In last homily we saw that the gospel Paul meant to preach at Rome, if he ever got there, was a "revelation of justice" on the part of God. By his covenant arrangements "God can be just, and yet the Justifier of him who believeth in Jesus." He can proclaim the sinner just on the ground of Christ's atonement. But now we are introduced to another "revelation" made in the constitution of the world—a revelation which is also grounded on justice, hut... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:22-25

Downward evolution. No charge more acutely stings a man than that of being considered senseless; he would rather be deemed a knave than a fool. The apostle shows that man, whom God created upright that he might behold God and heavenly things, has continually gazed at the earth, and become prone like the beasts. Thus bending, he has wrapped his soul in shadow, and his religion, instead of a blessing, has proved a curse. I. THE WORSHIP OF IMAGES ORIGINATES IN A NATURAL ... read more

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