Romans 1:18-25: Truth Suppression - Bible Studies With Mark

 

 

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. [Rom 1:18-25 ESV]

 

Paul begins by declaring that God’s wrath is “revealed from heaven”. This is not a spiritual temper tantrum, but rather the holy and righteous opposition to sin by the one true God. This wrath is both present and future. It is currently being revealed through moral decay and divine judgment in human history. It will be fully revealed in the coming judgment. It is directed “against all ungodliness” (sin against God) and “unrighteousness (sin against man), showing that sin corrupts both worship and morality.

 

Paul explains that we “suppress the truth”. That is, we have knowledge of God through general revelation (creation and conscience) but deliberately reject it. Every person has enough evidence of God’s existence and power in nature to be held accountable for their actions: “The invisible things of Him … are clearly seen”. God’s eternal power and divine nature are evident in creation, pointing to a Creator. Therefore, we are “without excuse.” No one can plead ignorance. Rejection of God is willful, not innocent.

 

When we “knew God”, that is, we have some awareness of Him, we “refused to glorify Him” or show gratitude. Instead, we become “vain in [our] imaginations”, meaning we substituted truth with speculation. Paul writes that our “foolish heart [is] darkened.” This is spiritual blindness resulting from rejecting the general evidence of God. The exchange is tragic. We trade the glory of the incorruptible God for idols. We worship created things (humans, animals) rather than the Creator. This illustrates the core of sin, which is idolatry. Idolatry is exalting creation or self above God. This is the ultimate inversion of the created order.

God honors our rejection and gives us what we profess to want. Because of our persistent rebellion, He allows us to follow our sinful desires, which in turn leads to further corruption. Yes, God allows sin to run its course as both punishment and consequence. Sin is not only judged in eternity but also judges itself in the present, bringing moral and spiritual ruin.

 

We are all sinners by nature and choice. We suppress the truth about God. God has revealed himself through creation, leaving us without excuse. Our sin is fundamentally idolatry. When we choose to sin, we exchange God’s glory for lesser things. God’s wrath is His holy response to sin. His wrath is made clear in moral decay, in judgement, and in the coming eternal punishment. 

 

The ONLY thing that can save us from ourselves is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through the saving grace of Jesus, we can be restored into a right relationship with God. Each of us has a choice. God will honor our choice. We will reap the consequences of that choice, be they blessed peace or hellish torture.