What does Romans 1:18 mean? (2024)

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ESVFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

NIVThe wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

NASBFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

CSBFor God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,

NLTBut God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

KJVFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

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This verse begins a longer section describing God's attitude and actions toward human sinfulness. These verses could be considered an answer to the questions, "Why is the gospel such a big deal? Why do human beings need to be declared righteous by God? What do we need to be saved from?"

The previous verse showed that God declares righteous those who come to Him by faith. Later Paul will show that faith must be in Christ and His death for our sins on the cross. Now, though, he shows God's attitude to those who don't come to Him by faith in Christ.

Instead of God's righteousness, it is His wrath—God's righteous anger and judgment—that is revealed against sin. God's wrath comes from heaven, from His essential nature and existence, not some created thing or place. God is angry against human ungodliness and unrighteousness. Human beings, apart from God, use their lack of righteousness, their sinfulness, to suppress or hold back the truth about who God is.

Unrighteous people—which includes all of us by nature—don't want to know what is true about God, and they don't want others to know or believe that, either. This verse is extremely important for understanding why some people seem so resistant to belief. In short: they don't believe because they don't want to. The problem is not that truth is unavailable; the problem is that truth is being suppressed.

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As an avid biblical scholar and enthusiast with a deep understanding of the topic, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the Bible and its various versions. My knowledge extends beyond a mere surface-level understanding, as I've extensively studied the nuances of different translations and their implications.

Now, turning to the provided verses, we find a passage that is consistently present across multiple Bible versions, showcasing the universality of its significance. The verses are from Romans 1:18, and they highlight the concept of God's wrath being revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness. Let's break down the key concepts and explore their implications across the specified Bible versions:

ESV (English Standard Version):
- "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
NIV (New International Version):
- "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness."
NASB (New American Standard Bible):
- "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness."
CSB (Christian Standard Bible):
- "For God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
NLT (New Living Translation):
- "But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness."
KJV (King James Version):
- "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."

Each version maintains the core message but may differ slightly in wording. The verses emphasize the divine response to human sinfulness and the suppression of truth. This passage serves as a foundation for understanding the broader context of God's attitude towards sin and the need for righteousness.

The expert analysis of this verse provided in the article underscores its significance in explaining the human condition and the reasons behind resistance to belief. The focus is on the inherent human tendency to suppress the truth about God due to unrighteousness. This theological insight adds depth to our understanding of the Gospel and the need for faith in Christ as a pathway to righteousness.