Romans 1:18-21

Context

The Condemnation of the Unrighteous

1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people¹ who suppress the truth by their² 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 people⁵ 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 hearts⁶ were darkened.

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

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

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

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

[1:21] ⁶tn Grk “heart.”