A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 7 Chapter 1:19 – 22

Verse 19 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

This verse is a continuation of verse 18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” Those who hold the truth of God in unrighteousness are them that take the truth and make it a lie, i.e. choice in salvation, grace, baptism, and etc.
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them…” There are a lot of things not made manifest to man, but there are also plenty that man, even the lost can see that manifest much truth about God.

a. Doctrine cannot be manifest by the naked eye, the incarnation of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ being Saviour, and etc.

b. However, creation of the world should alone say much about God. It should show that God does exist, the power and majesty of God, the sovereignty of God, and etc.

c. “…for God hath shewed it unto them.” God has made it plain and clear to them. Even in His word salvation is plain and clear, they simply choose by nature to reject it, just as they choose by nature to reject God.

d. Let’s not forget God will in the tribulation period open the heavens and reveal who is delivering these horrible judgments and they will still reject Him.

Verse 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:”

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen…” Just look around! We have not seen God but we have clearly seen His existence and His works in creation of everything we see.

a. Job 12:7-10 “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: (8.) Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. (9.) Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? (10.) In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” The greatest question of all, where did life come from?

b. Psalms 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

“…being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead…”

a. The word “understood” means - to exercise the mind by observing, that is to comprehend.

b. The things made in creation, the things clearly seen should by just existing, with an exercising of the mind should be able to comprehend that only an eternal power could have brought it all about. There is no possible way it just happened on its own.

c. The word “Godhead” refers to Divine how could one see creation and not understand that only a Divine power could have brought it about.

“…so that they are without excuse”

a. They are indefensible. No person will ever be able to stand before God in judgment and declare there was no way to have known that God did not exist.

b. Romans 2:1 “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

Verse 21 “Romans 1:21 “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.”

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God…”

a. These are them that know of God, knew of His existence, His power, His Deity, and even His sovereignty, and did not glorify Him as God. They refused to recognize Him as God and made Him lower than His own creation.

b. They call Him Saviour but deny he can save, they call Him gracious and deny His grace, they call Him Deity but deny His power, and etc.

c. The religious world simply does not recognize God as God.

“…neither were thankful…” What do they have to be thankful for?

a. Even some that god has saved by grace are unthankful.

b. We as human beings have so much to thank God for, but thank you Lord simply doesn’t cross our minds.

c. Only one who has been saved and worships God in truth will truly thank God.

“…but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

a. They became conceded and foolish, in their thoughts and reasoning’s that their minds and reasoning’s were so that they did not perceive and comprehend the truth.

b. We as believers of truth are only different because of grace.

c. Daniel 5:23 “But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:”

d. Verse 22 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” what can you add to this!