Romans / Question
This question belongs with Romans 1:18-32. In Romans 1:18–23 Paul traces a downward movement: God’s response is directed against human wrongdoing that blocks truth, because God has already made enough known for people to recognize him. Creation itself points to God’s lasting power and divine reality, leaving people with no good excuse. The answer should be drawn from that movement rather than from an isolated phrase.
In Romans 1:18–23 Paul traces a downward movement: God’s response is directed against human wrongdoing that blocks truth, because God has already made enough known for people to recognize him. Creation itself points to God’s lasting power and divine reality, leaving people with no good excuse. This section follows Paul’s program statement about the message he proclaims and its power (see Romans 1:16–17). Paul now begins explaining the human problem that makes the rest of the letter’s argument necessary: people are not merely uninformed, but actively resistant to truth.
Paul’s logic moves from revelation to responsibility to replacement. God’s “wrath” is said to be revealed “from heaven” against human ungodliness and wrongdoing, especially where wrongdoing “hinders” or blocks truth (explicit: verse 18).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with Romans 1:18-32, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness,
19because that which is known by God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.
20For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
21Because, knowing God, they didn`t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
24Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
25who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
28Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
30backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with those who practice them.