Romans 1:18-22

The Condemnation of the Unrighteous

1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people ¹  who suppress the truth by their ²  unrighteousness, ³  1:19 because what can be known about God is plain to them, ⁴  because God has made it plain to them. 1:20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people ⁵  are without excuse. 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts ⁶  were darkened. 1:22 Although they claimed ⁷  to be wise, they became fools

Romans 1:28

1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, ⁸  God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. ⁹ 

[1:18]  ¹ tn The genitive ἀνθρώπων could be taken as an attributed genitive, in which case the phase should be translated “against all ungodly and unrighteous people” (cf. “the truth of God” in v. 25 which is also probably an attributed genitive). C. E. B. Cranfield takes the section 1:18-32 to refer to all people (not just Gentiles), while 2:1-3:20 points out that the Jew is no exception (Romans [ICC], 1:104-6; 1:137-38).

[1:18]  ² tn “Their” is implied in the Greek, but is supplied because of English style.

[1:18]  ³ tn Or “by means of unrighteousness.” Grk “in (by) unrighteousness.”

[1:19]  ⁴ tn Grk “is manifest to/in them.”

[1:20]  ⁵ tn Grk “they”; the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[1:21]  ⁶ tn Grk “heart.”

[1:22]  ⁷ tn The participle φάσκοντες (faskonte") is used concessively here.

[1:28]  ⁸ tn Grk “and just as they did not approve to have God in knowledge.”

[1:28]  ⁹ tn Grk “the things that are improper.”