Romans 1:16-25

Romans 1:16-25 is a logical sequence of explanations. Notice Paul uses "for" or "because" eight times in this passage. Each "for" explains why the previous statement is correct. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel because it is powerful and works, (vs 16). The gospel is powerful because it reveals God’s righteousness (vs 17) and His wrath (vs 18). God’s wrath is on people because they reject truth which God showed them (vs 19) because creation shows Him, (vs 20). People are without excuse because they reject God and invent their own religion, (vs 21-23).

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

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:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

(Vs 16) See I Cor 1:18 also. Does God’s power work through our prayers to save people? Or through musical, social or aid programs? Or miracles? What does God use to save people?

..."to the Jew first and also to the Greek". Does this mean we should take salvation to the Jews first?? No, it just means that the Jews were the first to get God’s word (Rom 3:1,2), but now it is available to all nations, (Acts 13:46; Rom 16:26). In the past, as Mat 15:21-28 shows, Jesus was sent to Israel only, but Gentiles could be blessed by "blessing" Israel, as promised in Genesis 12:3. From Is 2:1-4 & 60:1-3; Zech 9:22,23, how do Gentiles learn about God in that program? So who had to get salvation first? After Jesus ascended to heaven, salvation was still sent only to the Jews (Acts 2:5,10,14 & 3:12,25,26*), until God saved Paul in Acts 9 and sent him to the Gentiles with a message of salvation that did not need Israel, (Acts 26:16-18; Rom 10:12,13).

(Vs 17) In the gospel, it is revealed how God can be righteous in justifying wicked, guilty people through faith. This was a huge problem that was never understood before Paul. See Proverbs 17:15 and Job 9:1-3. "But how should man be just with God?" Take a look ahead in Rom 3:24-26 to see how God does this. The quote in this verse is from Habakkuk 2:4.

(Vs 18) God’s wrath is future but it’s coming has now been "revealed from heaven" to the Gentiles by Paul - and a day is actually appointed for it. Read Acts 17:29-31. Previously the Gentiles were ignorant, but now they are warned and should change their minds (repent) about God. This great day of wrath (Is 13:6-11; Luke 21:10-26) was at hand after Acts 2:36-40, but Jesus had asked for another year for Israel in Luke 13:6-9. A year later it was at hand again as Israel was declared to be uncircumcized and they blasphemed the Holy Ghost (Mat 12:31,32) who spoke through Stephen (Acts 7:51-60. But Stephen interceded for them vs 60) God withheld that day again, this time by bringing in a new program and a renewed opportunity through Paul’s message which tells us how to be saved from this "wrath to come", (Rom 5:9). I Thes 4:13-18 is the event that delivers us from that time.

From what do we need to be saved? If people don’t know of God’s coming wrath, they are unlikely to get saved from it. So guilt and judgment are the first big subjects that Paul deals with in Romans. If we want to lead people to salvation, do you think we need to warn of this too?.

Next Paul proves that people have the knowledge of God and choose to reject it, thus they "hold the truth in unrighteousness".

(Vs 19,20) Knowledge of the existence of God is IN people. Creation shows God’s eternal power and character. Read Ps 19:1-4 So everybody has this truth available and they are "without excuse".

(Vs 21) From this verse, how does man react to the knowledge of God? "Vain" means empty or useless. Vain imaginations are empty thoughts and theories that people invent to cover up truth (light). This produces darkness inside the heart. Acts 14:17 shows what they should have been thankful for.

(Vs 22) Pride is man’s problem and leads him to be a fool who rejects reality. See Ps 10:4 & 14:1-3.

(Vs 23) This verse shows that changing the truth results in idolatry. An idol is a man-made god. Man creates a god in his mind that he can feel comfortable with, one that is his equal or inferior, so he can be #1. Notice the de-evolution in this verse, from man to creeping things.

When we go on our religious or personal ideas about God, instead of the truth in His word, are we guilty of idolatry?

(Vs 24) What does God do about man’s idolatry, and what is the result for man?

Eph 4:17-19 describes what happens. A vain (empty) mind sucks in all kinds of human ideas that cover truth (light) and produce darkness in the heart. With their understanding darkened, they can’t know anything about God so they are alienated from Him and what He is doing. This blindness of the heart is like a callous, nothing gets through and they can’t feel a thing. So they desperately search for feeling in worldliness or religion, ever seeking more and more sensations and human wisdom, but never finding truth or contentment. II Tim 3:7

(Vs 25) This verse defines idolatry, better known as man-made religion. Twisting truth results in serving the wrong god. What religions does this verse make you think of?