This Week’s Bible Reading
 
 
Romans 1:19-20
King James Version
 
“19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
 
Context:
 
Romans 1 serves as the introduction to Paul's letter to the Romans, setting the stage for his spiritual arguments. The chapter begins with Paul identifying himself as a servant of Christ, emphasizing his divine calling as an apostle. He then expresses his desire to visit the believers in Rome and share in their faith.
 
The broader context of Romans 1 includes:
  • Paul’s Mission: He highlights his role in spreading the gospel, particularly to the Gentiles, reinforcing the idea that salvation is available to all.
  • God’s Wrath Against Sin: Paul discusses how humanity has turned away from God, suppressing the truth despite clear evidence of His existence in creation.
  • The Consequences of Rejection: The chapter describes how people, in their rejection of God, fall into moral decay, exchanging truth for lies and worshiping created things rather than the Creator.
Romans 1 lays the foundation for the universal need for salvation, which Paul expands upon in later chapters.
 
What does Romans 1:19-20 Meaning:
 
The verses argue that humanity has no excuse for not knowing about God, because God has revealed
Himself through the created world.
  • "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them”: Means that there is a basic, undeniable knowledge of God present within us. It's not something hidden or obscure, but something evident and readily accessible. Some interpretations suggest "in them" refers to an inherent awareness or conscience within people, while others emphasize it being "among them" through observation of the world.
  • "for God hath shewed it unto them": Clarifies that this knowledge isn't simply a human intellectual discovery, but a direct act of God. God is actively revealing Himself.
  • "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made": This is the core of "natural revelation." While God Himself is invisible, His attributes – specifically His "eternal power and Godhead" (divine nature) are made evident through the tangible reality of the created universe.
  • "So that they are without excuse": This is the crucial consequence of this revelation. Because God has made Himself known through creation to all people, regardless of their access to special revelation (like the Bible or the Gospel), they are held accountable. They cannot claim ignorance as a defense for their ungodliness and unrighteousness (as mentioned in the preceding verse, Romans 1:18).
In Summary: Romans 1:19-20 teaches that:
  • God has revealed Himself to all humanity through the natural world. This is a universal revelation, accessible to everyone.
  • This revelation demonstrates God's eternal power and divine nature. The existence and intricate design of creation inherently point to a powerful, intelligent Creator.
  • Therefore, all people are accountable to God. No one can legitimately claim they had no means of knowing God exists or that He is worthy of worship. Their unrighteousness is a result of suppressing this inherent truth, rather than a lack of information.
This passage is often used to explain why God's wrath is justly revealed against humanity's sin, even among those who haven't heard the specific message of the Gospel. They have rejected the general truth about God that is plainly visible all around them.