Christian Standard Bible
Romans 1:20
20For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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:
- New International Version (NIV)For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Context of Romans 1:20
18For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools
Read all of Romans 1Romans 1:20 word by word
τὰ γὰρ ἀόρατα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ κτίσεως κόσμου τοῖς ποιήμασιν νοούμενα καθορᾶται, ἥ τε ἀΐδιος αὐτοῦ δύναμις καὶ θειότης, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἀναπολογήτους.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- the invisible thingsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the invisible thingsἀόρατοςaoratos · invisibleG517
- of himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
- the creationκτίσιςktisis · creationG2937
- of the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
- are clearly seenκαθοράωkathoraō · to perceiveG2529
- being understoodνοέωnoieō · to understandG3539
- by the things that are madeποίημαpoiēma · workmanshipG4161
- ·τεte · and/bothG5037
- eternalἀΐδιοςaidios · eternalG126
- powerδύναμιςdunamis · powerG1411
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- Godheadθειότηςtheiotēs · divinityG2305
- so thatεἰςeis · towardG1519
- areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- without excuseἀναπολόγητοςanapologētos · inexcusableG379
Cross-references for Romans 1:20
- John 1:18No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side — he has revealed him.
- Colossians 1:15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
- 1 Timothy 1:17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
- 1 Timothy 6:16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.
- Hebrews 11:27By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible.
- Romans 1:19since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.
- Deuteronomy 4:19When you look to the heavens and see the sun, moon, and stars — all the stars in the sky — do not be led astray to bow in worship to them and serve them. The Lord your God has provided them for all people everywhere under heaven.
- Job 31:26if I have gazed at the sun when it was shining or at the moon moving in splendor,
- Psalms 8:3When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place,
- Psalms 33:6The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of his mouth.
- Psalms 104:5He established the earth on its foundations; it will never be shaken.
- Psalms 119:90Your faithfulness is for all generations; you established the earth, and it stands firm.
- Psalms 139:13For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
- Psalms 148:8lightning and hail, snow and cloud, stormy wind that executes his command,
- Matthew 5:45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
- Romans 16:26but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles —
Commentaries on Romans 1:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20The invisible things of him - His invisible perfections are manifested by his visible works, and may be apprehended by what he has made; their immensity showing his omnipotence, their vast variety and contrivance, his omniscience; and their adaptation to the most beneficent purposes, his infinite goodness and philanthropy. His eternal power - , That all-powerful energy that ever was, and ever will exist; so that, ever since there was a creation to be…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For the invisible things of him - The expression “his invisible things” refers to those things which cannot be perceived by the senses. It does not imply that there are any things pertaining to the divine character which may be seen by the eye; but that there are things which may be known of him, though not discoverable by the eye. We judge of the objects around us by the senses, the sight, the touch, the ear, etc. Paul affirms, that though we cannot…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-25Verses 18-25 The apostle begins to show that all mankind need the salvation of the gospel, because none could obtain the favour of God, or escape his wrath by their own works. For no man can plead that he has fulfilled all his obligations to God and to his neighbour; nor can any truly say that he has fully acted up to the light afforded him. The sinfulness of man is described as ungodliness against the laws of the first table, and unrighteousness against…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-32Paul waits to explain righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until he first teaches about the sinfulness of all people. Both non-Jews and Jews are equally under the power of sin (1:18–32; 2:1–3:8). Because of this, both groups are in the same situation before God. No one can gain God’s favor by their own actions or obedience (3:9–20). All people need God’s saving action, not their own efforts.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. For the invisible things of him from--or "since" the creation of the world are clearly seen--the mind brightly beholding what the eye cannot discern. being understood by the things that are made--Thus, the outward creation is not the parent but the interpreter of our faith in God. That faith has its primary sources within our own breast (Ro 1:19); but it becomes an intelligible and articulate conviction only through what we observe around us ("by the…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 1:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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