Romans 1: Gospel Exalted
The book of Romans. A book written to Jews and Gentile believers about the law, justification, sanctification and salvation.
Summary of v1-17: Paul spends these verses as an introduction to setup his doctrinal teaching which doesn’t begin until verse 18. He tells the Romans that he was called to be an apostle to deliver the gospel to the gentiles. He is not ashamed of this gospel for it is the power of God, the righteousness of God and the purpose of God that all men receive it. He sets us up for v18.
1. “1, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)”
a. What is he saying? Paul was set apart to be an Apostle for the express purpose of ministering the gospel of God. God himself selected him for this purpose. Do you remember Paul’s initial encounter on the Damascus road? Calling Act 9:15; Testimony Act 26:16-18 to king Agrippa.
b. God said he would speak to us by his Son; Paul was given special revelation by Jesus Act 26:16 Jesus said make him a minister and a witness both 1) these things which thou hast seen and 2) of those things in the which I will APPEAR unto thee. Note: isn’t it interesting that Jesus speaks to Paul like he spoke to John in Rev 1:19 things which thou hast see, things which are and things which shall be hereafter (witness and testimony of the word of God).
c. APPEAR occurs some 54 times in the bible. It always means to make visible. Jesus said, those things in which I will APPEAR unto thee. Jesus is speaking about revealing truth to Paul personally. Paul states in 1Co_9:1, Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
d. What was promised afore in verse 1? The gospel of God. The whole book of Hebrews gets into this subject in-depth.
e. Notice that he says gospel of God and not the gospel of Jesus Christ. Normally his intro says “grace and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Why does he do something different here? To make a connection with the OT. In other words, back to the promise of God. Heb_1:1, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. God promised that he would bring the Messiah, the Christ, the one whom all nations, even among the gentiles, would be blessed.
2. 3, Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
a. Seed of David. Jer_33:15-17 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. 16, In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. 17, For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel.
b. Jesus was made. Jesus was not always the Son. He was one in the God head. Then one day, by God’s providential plan, God declares him Son.
i. Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
3. “ 4, And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” The declaration was made by resurrecting from the dead.
a. the Son: Rom_1:3; Joh_2:18-21; Act_2:24, Act_2:32, Act_3:15, Act_4:10-12, Act_5:30-32, Act_13:33-35, Act_17:31; 2Co_13:4; Eph_1:19-23; Heb_5:5, Heb_5:6; Rev_1:18;
b. Rom_1:3, Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.
c. Joh_2:18, Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Two signs: Resurrection - Destroy this temple AND As Jonah was in the belly.
d. Act_2:24, Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
e. Act_2:32, This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
f. Act_3:15, And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
g. Act_4:10, Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
h. Act_5:30, The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
i. Act_13:33, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
j. Act_17:31, Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
k. 2Co_13:4, For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
l. Eph_1:19, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
m. Heb_5:5, So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. Heb_5:6, As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
n. Rev_1:18, I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
o. Luk_18:31, Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
p. Luk_24:26, Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
q. Luk_24:27, And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
r. Heb_9:14, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
s. 1Pe_1:11, Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
t. 2Pe_1:21, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
u. Rev_19:10, And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
4. “ 5, By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”
a. The grace and apostleship he received was for a purpose. The purpose for obedience to the faith and not just for him but for all the nations. Notice what is emphasized in obedience. It wasn’t obedience to devotion, sacrifice or service. It was obedience to the faith, which is the purpose of salvation. The objective of salvation is faith. That we would believe God at his word and that expression would produce a heart of faith. A heart that believes God, trusts God, glorifies God and is thankful. Paul is set apart for this purpose.
5. “ 6, Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:”
a. Called (Gk klētos). Just like the word Paul used to explain his calling as an apostle, so he uses the same word for the Romans. Summation: The Called are set apart, for a purposed life, where God works all things together for your good. You are predestinated, justified, glorified. The invite is to all peoples to holiness. You are “called” by the gospel to obtain the glory of Christ, partakers of heavenly calling, called to be holy in all manner of “conversation”.
i. 2Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
b. Think of the Romans for a moment. Here is the great Apostle Paul writing to them maybe wondering would he receive them? They are on the outskirts of Christianity. Christianity’s epicenter was Antioch Syria. Rome was across the Mediterranean in present day Italy.
c. There must have been an outburst among the Romans seeing that the great apostle Paul calls them “the called of Jesus Christ.” It must have been a thrill to hear for them.
6. “7, To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
a. Beloved of God. Paul is letting them know that they are precious to God as much as any saint in the church of God.
b. Called to be saints. “saint” is the Gk word hagios (G40) found 233 times in the bible. It is the same word used for “Holy” in “Holy Spirit”. It is an appointment not something you earn. Like a judge who is appointed and called your honor. Ideally, he should be honorable, but is called “your honor” because of the office he holds. Likewise a saint is holy and ideally ought to walk that way, but is appointed the office of “saint” before he even walks that way. In other words, OT saints acquired righteousness by faith and walked in it, NT believers are called saints before they even learned to walk.
7. “8, First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”
a. Testimony of faith. Imagine, the Apostle Paul’s letter being read to the Romans. He’s giving thanks for their faith. He’s acknowledging them for this attribute of God. It is being spoken of all over the world. Can you image that being said of you? What a thrill it must have been to the Romans. They might have said, “hey, they heard of us, they know about us. Our faith is spoken of.”
b. Notice what is spoken of. It wasn’t their dedication, sacrifice or service. It was their faith. It wasn’t their devotion, doctrine or patience, it was their faith. And it was spoken of everywhere throughout Christendom.
8. “9, For God is my witness, “ Paul is calling on God, why would Paul resort to this kind of language. Because what he is about to say, some might think he’s lying. So he wants to reassure them that he is not. He wants them to know that what he is about to say is not said flippantly, but that he gave forethought and consideration to it. After searching himself, he is able to say, God is my witness.
9. “whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son,”
a. This is a powerful statement. When you serve with your spirit, you’re serving with the depths of your being. It’s not just commitment; it’s a way of life. You can come in and out of things with your thoughts, your emotions, your time, your money, but not so with your spirit. Deut 6:4 says “serve the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might.” Your heart, your spirit are referred to the same. God knows that if he has your heart/spirit (mentioned first), he has the whole man. It’s been said, serving with your spirit is a full time job.
10. “that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”
a. This is the statement that might be questioned by some. Some might think he’s lying. You can see what a heart Paul has for them. You have heard of people who say they’ll pray for you and you know they’re not. You may know some that probably will say a prayer for you or two. But do you know of any who would pray for you always that when they pray your name comes up in that prayer, interceding for you?
11. “10, Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.”
a. Paul wants to prosper there, he wants fruit while he’s there. Perhaps water where others have planted, and plant where others have not.
12. “11, For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12, That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”
a. In other words, I am coming to bless you, to impart something to you, but I know I will get something likewise from you. That our faith will be mutually encouraged.
b. Bible Study group is my favorite time during the week. I get blessed with your fellowship, that I am encouraged as well. It is a great time just to hang out together in the week.
13. “13, Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) “
a. He didn’t want them to be ignorant of the fact that he desire to come to them on multiple occasions. Who was Paul asking permission from? God. On many occasions, he said I’ve got to go to Rome, and then got ready to go, but God said “no you can’t go.” Paul didn’t want them to be ignorant of his intent to go to them on multiple occasions.
14. “that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.”
a. Paul wanted fruit among the Romans. As the apostle to the gentiles, he had watered, prayed and gleaned fruit where the gospel was planted in other places. However, he desired the same for them. That the fruit they bore would be an abundant harvest to the Lord in which he was a part. That he might show fruit from his laboring amongst them.
15. “14, I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.”
a. The Barbarians were ignorant, uneducated class of people outside of the Greek culture. He is saying that he ministers even to those they might look down upon, the unwise, the uneducated, the non-intellectuals. The Roman culture was the epicenter of modern philosophy, psychology, science and thought. They prided themselves on their government, technology and culture.
16. “15, So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.”
a. From the depths of his spirit, from his inner most desires of his heart, he is ready to share with them the gospel of God. Paul’s heart was ready, 2Ti_4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Paul’s heart was for the whole world, but he had a special place in his heart for them at Rome.
b. Begins wrapping up his introduction. Which was to welcome the Roman brethren into the fold, the saints just as precious to God as any child of God would ever be.
17. “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.”
a. Ashamed (Gk Epaischunomai) found 20 times in NT. Word summary: NEG- shame of Christ, his words, the gospel, the testimony, fellow believers and before others, of sins, of adversaries of Christ; POS – if not then strengthened, are believers, partakers with, gain fellowship, brethren, and with God. Reluctance, reserve, humiliation, embarrassed.
b. Paul’s not talking about being emotionally embarrassed. He’s saying that with all his spirit he will bring the gospel with all boldness. That when he speaks among their scholars, philosophers and learned men, he holds back no reserve. He is not afraid of being confronted with any argument or question that he can’t handle. He is not afraid that someone will discover his religious scheme and find him a liar. That his doctrine is flawed and full of error. That when he is amid the epicenter of knowledge there in Rome, among their poets, the religious men and their wise men, he is not withholding or has reserve. That when someone comes with a broken life, that he’ll say well if we get you into 6 months of intensive training perhaps we can do something. No, he knows that this gospel works.
18. “17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
a. Therein. In this gospel, in the testimony of what he’s going to share through Christ.
b. Righteousness of God revealed. That he’s not afraid of some religious man coming to him, some Jewish man coming to him and saying Paul, your gospel doesn’t hold up to the righteous standard of the law. He’s not afraid it won’t but is confident that it will hold up to the most intense scrutiny, argument and righteous standard of anything man can throw at him.
c. Live by faith. Repeated four times in scripture, first in Hab 2:4 the soul that is lifted up contrasted with the just shall live by his faith. In context, the soul that promotes himself, sanctifies himself, corrects the mind, will and emotions, looks internally for righteousness and resolve so that the soul develops and grows is contrary to faith. Verses those who simply believe God and live by what is said. Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11 and Heb 10:38.
Note: now Paul begins his doctrinal argument beginning verse 18.
19. “18, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven”
a. This is the reason he is writing to the Romans. He is saying, I am delivering this message to you for this purpose…
b. Heaven is the Supreme Court. The final authority, the gavel has come down and sentence has been set and judgment is now come down from the high court.
20. “against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
a. The judgment is coming upon these men for a reason. Why?
b. This is the key verse to understand chapter 1 through 3. This word “hold”is the key verse in Paul’s theological argument. Therefore we will need to spend some time defining the word.
c. Gk: katechō g2722 occurs 19 times in NT. Translated Hold 3, hold fast 3, keep 2, possess 2, stay 1, take 1, have 1, make 1, 5x misc which will also be examined.
d. Strongs Definition: hold back (like resist), detain or retain; restrain, hinder (like obstruction). Does this agree with the biblical definition? How do we tell? All other translations use the word “suppress”. Which one is right and does it matter? First let’s define the word.
e. Biblical Definition: Mat_21:38, But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
f. Luk_4:42, And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. (seized, hold, retain, not let go).
g. Luk_8:15, But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (hold it, retain it)
h. Luk_14:9, And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. (lay hold of, seize, retain)
i. Joh_5:4, For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (to hold, retain, possess).
j. Act_27:40, And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. (TO SIEZE OR FIX OR LAY HOLD OF HEADING TOWARD SHORE)
k. Rom_1:18, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (possess, retain, keep)
l. Rom_7:6, But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (hold, possess, retain, keep).
m. 1Co_7:30, And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; (held)
n. 1Co_11:2, Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. (keep same word)
o. 1Co_15:2, By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (hold firmly)
p. 2Co_6:10, As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (hold, keep)
q. 1Th_5:21, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (hold fast)
r. 2Th_2:6, And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (keep, hold, possess, retain until a certain time). (hanging on to something and not letting go).
s. 2Th_2:7, only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (Controlled, held, not letting go, go to extent but no further, keeping).
t. Phm_1:13, Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
u. Heb_3:6, But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
v. Heb_3:14, For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
w. Heb_10:23, Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
x. Only definition. The bible defines the Greek word Katecho “hold” as retaining, holding, possessing, keeping something. Not light understanding, dismissal of truth, suppressing truth. Only the definition “holding or retaining” can be used according to the bible. This is important because the doctrine of Chapters 1-3 is built around the principle that Paul is revealing to us right here.
y. NOTE: All other translations translate this word “suppress”. NKJV, NIV, ESV, NASB, ASV hinder. No other translation uses the word HOLD as the KJB. However, when examining the NIV, they translate this word everywhere else “HOLD” except here in Rom 1:18. Why? Because the text didn’t fit the NIV translators theology. They couldn’t imagine a God who would judge men for “holding” truth, but that he should judge for suppressing truth. They’re uncomfortable with the idea. There is no justification for translating it this way in the Greek!
z. NIV G2722 katechō USAGES - 20 TIMES:
aa. Luk 4:42 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 
Luk 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luk 14:9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. Jhn 5:4 (NIV IS MISSING THIS VERSE) Act 27:40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made (kept their course) for the beach. Rom 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress (MEANING CHANED ONLY HERE) the truth by their wickedness, Rom 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. 1Cr 7:30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 1Cr 11:2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you. 1Cr 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 2Cr 6:10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 1Th 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 2Th 2:6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 2Th 2:7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. Phm 1:13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. Hbr 3:6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. Hbr 3:14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. Hbr 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Luk 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luk 14:9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. Jhn 5:4 (NIV IS MISSING THIS VERSE) Act 27:40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made (kept their course) for the beach. Rom 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress (MEANING CHANED ONLY HERE) the truth by their wickedness, Rom 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. 1Cr 7:30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 1Cr 11:2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you. 1Cr 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 2Cr 6:10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 1Th 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 2Th 2:6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 2Th 2:7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. Phm 1:13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. Hbr 3:6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. Hbr 3:14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. Hbr 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.bb. Other Doctrine has consequences. We’ve spent allot of time and energy making issue of this. What impact could this possibly have on bible doctrine? It is at this point, we see the bible commentaries on Romans diverge due to this misunderstanding. Doctrines such as God’s wrath upon fetus’ because the fetus is a dirty rotten filthy fetus that sinned 6000 years ago against God and is morally to blame and corrupt in nature; it has a sinful nature and is despised by God. Paul says the opposite, God reveals wrath on those who “hold” the truth in unrighteousness. An infant cannot hold truth. And the truth they have in their heart their disobeying. The inward knowledge of their duty, they are dismissing, refusing to do their duty that they know they are holding onto.
cc. Back to the text. Wrath of God (moral governor) reveals wrath on them that HOLD truth unrighteously. The greater the gap between the truth one holds and the obedience one renders, the greater the wrath.
21. 19, Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
a. Is this statement speaking of not having truth or an explanation of how they had truth? Notice he says not manifest to but IN them. That is intuitive knowledge. That which may be known of God will vary from person to person, one tribal group, or religion to another. Much of what any religion teaches is truth. All the religions teach that one should do right, righteousness. If you ask what is righteousness there will be general agreement in all religions that righteousness is not murdering. Though some might permit killing enemies, but not part of their own tribe. Murder is wrong, violence is wrong, taking someone’s wife is wrong, sex prior to and outside of marriage is wrong; hate is wrong, greed, selfishness. All the basic concepts of right and wrong and those taught in the Ten Commandments are going to be held by any religious group.
b. There was no Christian or Jew to preach unto that American Indian. But God was there preaching to him, speaking truth. God hath showed it unto them. Art shows, extol the noble savage standing on a bluff with a feather blowing in the wind making some form of obedience to the great spirit. Somehow they want to elevate that to us and extol that above our own faith today. These paintings only testify that heathen everywhere have knowledge of God. And sought God in some outward religious form. Not testifying to their rejection of truth but to their holding of truth whether they obeyed it or not. So the Spirit of God is active revealing God to every man who is capable of understanding. No man with all his mental faculties is without some knowledge of God. John 1:19 “He is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
22. “20, For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,
a. From observation of the physical world, men see invisible things.
b. What are invisible things? Love, joy, right, wrong, morals, moral law, laws of logic, intelligibility, etc.
c. We can understand the invisible things of a person by what they make. Painter, sculptor, musician, carpenter, etc. EXAMPLES.
d. God’s indictment is that it is CLEAR, UNDERSTOOD. Not ambiguous, not questionable, not grey, not doubtful but distinct, defined and discernable. In fact if it were not true, then God would stand as a liar having premeditated entrapment which is a form of deceit and malicious intent.
23. “even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: “
a. The Heathen. All men can see that God is eternal, not being physical not subject to death. In fact most of who we are is non-tangible, non-physical and therefore will endure.
b. God’s eternal power through the creation of the world. When a man stands and gazes into the heavens he can see the vastness, the complexity and the enormity of God so much that creation itself testifies to the power of God.
c. Godhead. Man can see that God is a plurality, he fellowships within himself; he is the origin of love and fellowship. He’s a family man and loves friendship, fellowship, family, sons and daughters. This is clearly seen from all He has made especially man.
24. 21, Because that, when they knew God,
a. Does this sound like a suppressing, a not knowing OR a having and holding knowledge? Obviously they “knew” God.
25. they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;
a. Having known God what did the heathen do about it? How did they respond? They neither glorified his as God nor were thankful. The number one accusation God levied at the heathen; more than murder, incest, pedophilia, and war is that they did not glorify God. When the king walks in the people either kneel or stand but no one just sits in the presence of those with honor, whether they be honorable or not. This is the person that has got some grudge against God. They feel he hasn’t treated them right and has a beef with him. Most Atheists really believe there is a God, but like the two year old that is asked “where’s your mommy, and though she’s behind him he’s mad at her wants to punish her says “I don’t have a mommy, she’s dead.” Most atheists are just mad at God. EXAMPLE witnessing to Tony.
b. Nor were thankful. The second sin levied against the heathen more than all the deadly sins is that they were not thankful.
26. but became vain in their imaginations
a. This means, they began to conjure up things in their mind to replace the God that they knew. To create a belief system that would placate their soul, where they wouldn’t feel the guilt of damnation present with them. It had have a form of righteousness otherwise it couldn’t satisfy the conscience with guilt and condemnation. It had to have works that gave the soul something it could achieve to win the title of righteousness without subjecting itself to the true and living God. All forms of religion have aspects of truth in them. They all agree on the basics of morality. Murder, stealing etc.
27. , and their foolish heart was darkened.
a. Their FOOLISH heart. They were fools. God defines them as fools who knew God but glorified him not as God nor were thankful.
b. This verse is a very important theological point. Notice that their hearts were darkened. In other words, their heart didn’t start off black. It moved, through the course of their life and choices from a state of illumination and truth to a darkening. Jn 1:9, 3:19-21 READ.
28. 22, Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
a. They profess themselves. They record their musings and write books and create universities. They give themselves titles of professor, master, and doctors. They boast of their “higher learning” and wisdom. Men call them wise but God calls them fools. Men call them illuminating but God calls them darkened.
29. 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.
a. They, not glorifying the God they knew, changed him into one they could manage, made in their own image and likeness. They made a god that would not judge them, but receive them and their sacrifices; works they could achieve in order to appease their standard of righteousness. A standard that would placate their conscience with a form of godliness but denying the power, responsibility and acknowledgement to and of the one who made the conscience, the mind and heart.
b. God is Spirit. John 4: 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
c. They took the God that they knew and drew him down from the heavens, forged him out of clay and stone and medal; and put eyes on him that couldn’t see; ears that couldn’t hear, a mouth that couldn’t speak and called it their god. For they knew that this god wouldn’t require or expect anything out of them they didn’t tell it to. Nothing to convict that they didn’t approve of; nothing to bring damnation or guilt that couldn’t be remedied by a recipe of sacrifice to placate their conscience.
30. 24, Wherefore God also gave them up
a. God gives them up; God stops wrestling against their will and gives them up. At what point does God give them up? He finally let’s go. Pornography etc. soul depraved and drawn away by his own lusts. The human soul has become depraved and stands at the threshold of God letting them go.
31. to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,
a. What was the origin of their uncleanness? Their hearts.
b. Jam 1:13, Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15, Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
c. Process: temptation comes by lust (desire, hunger), enticed (something desirable; just like man in the garden). When lust has conceived, formed, developed and become pregnant, it brings forth or gives birth to sin.
32. “to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
a. Dishonor. Bring shame, loss of respect and reputation. Man was given honor, glory, authority and dominion. He shirked his position, relinquished his responsibility; having lowered himself into the dirt and the mire he engaged in the perverted, the dishonorable and the refuse. He fell from glory and honor in exchange for the sexually perverted.
b. Gave man glory. READ: Gen 1:26-28; Ps 8:4-8; Heb 2:5, For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6, But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7, Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8, Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
33. 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. 26, For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
a. Changed. Third time “change” is mentioned. God speaks of them who changed the glory of God, changed the truth of God, changed the natural use into that which is perverted, twisted and unnatural. This was not suppressing truth this was having possessed truth, they then modified it.
b. Even their women… you might expect men to do vile things but not your mothers, sisters and daughters.
34. 27, And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
a. He gained an appetite for the twisted where there was none. Having itched long enough where there was none, He acquired an appetite in the soul for the naturally repulsive. By indulging in the unnatural, the human soul can acquire a taste or diet for something naturally repugnant where none actually existed before.
35. 28, And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
a. Retain. In order to not like to retain, means they once had it, they held it before.
b. They did not like that was a choice; they did not like that is it was a preference; they did not like that’s what their heart desired; they did not like to retain God in their knowledge. They didn’t want the God they knew there in their minds, ruling over their thoughts and bringing conviction upon their conscience.
36. God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
a. Because they did not like to retain…, God gave them over.
b. Gave them over – third time God gave them up before, now God gives them over. He let go their hands but now delivers them over. He has rested from his wrestling with their souls.
c. Reprobate mind. Before the issue their flesh and God gave them over to uncleanness and gave them over to vile affections. Now he’s given over their mind. Now their mind has been tampered and altered, warped and twisted. God has refrained from speaking because they can no longer hear. Their mind is glazed over, their mind is reprobate. E.g. the atheist, etc.
d. Convenient. 9 times in scripture. Always implies “your best interest” close by, easy.” The context is sexual immorality. We speak of convenience stores, etc. Plumber with all male fittings or female couplings, would that be convenient? They don’t fit, they’re queer, they’re odd, they don’t fit, and they’re perverted. They’re not convenient, they’re lost and without God and their minds have become reprobate.
37. 29, Being filled with all
a. Unrighteousness. = Not doing what is right, wrongdoing.
b. fornication, = sexual impurity
c. wickedness, = evil doing in principle and practice
d. covetousness, = breaking the 10th commandment; to desire what others have.
e. maliciousness; = evil intent, disposition to see someone else injured or hurt
f. full of envy, = a spirit of rivalry or competition with others. Desire to have their gifts or abilities or station in life.
g. murder, = act or desire to end the life of another person.
h. debate, = argumentative, contentiousness and divisive spirit
i. deceit, = purposeful, malicious intent to deceive someone to believe something that isn’t true.
j. malignity; = purposeful destruction and violence??? Morally evil intent.
k. whisperers, = gossipers, slandering secretly
l. Backbiters, = intentionally hurting someone or their reputation when not in their presence.
m. haters of God, = despisers of God, angry with God that He’s not running things the way they think he ought. Refuse to worship because they have negative feelings about the way He’s managed their affairs. Ex: why does he allow suffering to my momma? Most atheists are just angry with God.
n. despiteful, = state of looking down on someone to hurt them
o. proud, = inordinate self esteem, possessing an unreasonable high conception of one’s excellence of body or mind.
p. boasters, = speak of their own worth whether person or accomplishments.
q. inventors of evil things, = Computers, virtual reality to take the future into new territory.
r. disobedient to parents,
s. Without understanding, = excuse to exempt himself from responsibility. But to state that you don’t have understanding is to state that you have reached the end of a downward curve. No longer able to hear or reason the truth that they hold.
t. Covenant breakers, = those who enter into an agreement with God, then fail to keep their side.
u. without natural affection, = men and women who don’t commit sodomy but defend sodomy as possibly being alright as long as they love each other and in a caring relationship with another. Mothers natural care for their children perverted to drown them in order to hookup with a boyfriend because they’re not convenient.
v. implacable, = unappeasable, cannot be reconcilable.
w. unmerciful: = condition without mercy. Natural tendency to show mercy (that we would receive it), the one who doesn’t show mercy is one who’s natural sense is depraved into pride, hurt and bitterness.
38. 32, Who “knowing” the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
a. Does this speak of them “knowing” something or “not knowing” something?
b. Does this speak of holding or not holding or suppressing?
c. Look how Paul ends the chapter, “knowing” the judgment of God.
d. These people not only did they know God, but the judgment of God as well; AND that the violators ought to be put to death.
e. Whenever you hear the heathen, the atheist, the empiricist, the philosopher you with authority can know that they know God, they know his judgment; that they know he judges sin that he will judge. This is a very valuable insight when reaching the lost.
f. Yet they do the same, they may not even do the same but have pleasure in what they’re doing. Have pleasure in that the homosexual love’s someone; they thinks it’s acceptable. That we should promote tolerance of such things.
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