Romans 1:18

1. The reason for human guilt 1:18

In this verse Paul began to explain why Gentiles need to hear the gospel and experience salvation. Whereas this verse gives one reason, it also serves as a general statement that summarizes human guilt.

God has revealed His wrath as well as His righteousness (Romans 1:17) from heaven in the gospel. [Note: Cranfield, 1:109-10. See René A. López, "Do Believers Experience the Wrath of God?" Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society 15:29 (Autumn 2002):45-66.] As Paul would explain, the unfolding of history also reveals God’s hatred toward sin and His judgment of sin. The moral devolution of humanity is not just a natural consequence of man’s sinning but also a result of God’s judgment of sinners. The final judgment of sin will occur in the eschaton (end times), but already God is pouring out His wrath against sin to a lesser degree (cf. Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6). Paul described wrath as revealed from heaven because it comes from God who is in heaven. [Note: G. Dalman, The Words of Jesus, p. 219. See the excursus on the wrath of God in Romans in Newell, pp. 40-46.]

"God’s wrath is his divine displeasure with sin. We call it ’wrath’ because it shares certain basic characteristics of human wrath. But because it is God’s wrath it can have none of the sinful qualities of its analogical counterpart." [Note: Mounce, pp. 76-77.]

"Ungodliness" means lack of reverence for God. Man’s neglect of God and rebellion against God are evidences of ungodliness. "Unrighteousness" or "wickedness" (NIV) means injustice toward other human beings. We see it in any attitude or action that is not loving. Together these two words show humankind’s failure to love God and other people as we should, which are our two greatest responsibilities (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-39). Romans 1:19-27 demonstrate man’s ungodliness, and Romans 1:28-32 show his wickedness. The "truth" refers to truth that people know about God (cf. Romans 1:25). They suppress this truth by their wickedness.

". . . whenever the truth starts to exert itself and makes them feel uneasy in their moral nature, they hold it down, suppress it. Some drown its voice by rushing on into their immoralities; others strangle the disturbing voice by argument and by denial." [Note: Richard C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, pp. 92-93.]