EasyEnglish Bible 2018
Romans 1:20
20Ever since God made the world, he has been showing people clearly about himself. We cannot see God. But the things that he has made show us clearly what he is like. We can understand his great power that continues for ever. We can know that he is the true God. So there is no reason for anyone to say, ‘We could not know about God.’
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
18God in heaven shows that he is angry with people. He is angry because they do not respect him and they do bad things. Because they continue to do those bad things, they choose not to accept God's true message. 19They should understand what God is like, because God himself has shown it to them clearly. Ever since God made the world, he has been showing people clearly about himself. We cannot see God. But the things that he has made show us clearly what he is like. We can understand his great power that continues for ever. We can know that he is the true God. So there is no reason for anyone to say, ‘We could not know about God.’ 21Those people really knew about God. But they did not respect him as a great God, and they did not thank him. They did not even think clearly any more. Their minds became confused and they did not understand God's message. 22They said that they were wise, but really 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 1:18Nobody has ever seen God. But God's only Son has shown God to us. He is very near to the Father, and he himself is God.
- Colossians 1:15We cannot see God. But Jesus Christ shows us completely who God is. Even before God made anything, Jesus was already there as God's Son who rules everything.
- 1 Timothy 1:17Praise God, the King who rules for ever! He can never die. He lives where we cannot see him. He is the only God. So praise him and say how great he is! That is true always and for ever! Amen! This is true.
- 1 Timothy 6:16God alone lives for ever. He lives in very bright light that nobody can come near. Nobody has ever seen God. Nobody is able to see him. So we praise him! He will rule for ever with great authority! Amen! This is true.
- Hebrews 11:27As a result of his faith, Moses left Egypt. He knew that the king would be angry, but Moses was not afraid of him. Instead, he continued strongly to trust God. Nobody can see God, but Moses lived like someone who could see God.
- Romans 1:19They should understand what God is like, because God himself has shown it to them clearly.
- Deuteronomy 4:19When you look up at the sky, you see the sun, the moon and the stars. They all shine up in the sky. But do not bend down low to them or worship them. They are there because the Lord your God has made them. He has given them to people everywhere in the world.
- Job 31:26I have looked at the sun when it shines brightly. And I have seen the moon when it is very beautiful.
- Psalms 8:3You made the skies with your own hands. When I look up, I see the moon and the stars. You have put them all in their right place.
- Psalms 33:6The word of the Lord made the heavens. When he spoke, all the stars in the sky appeared.
- Psalms 104:5You, Lord, built the earth on its strong foundations. Nothing will ever shake it from its place.
- Psalms 119:90You continue to show that people can trust you, from one century to the next. You have fixed the earth in its place, and it will remain.
- Psalms 139:13You made every part of me. You made me grow inside my mother before I was born.
- Psalms 148:8Praise him, fire and hail, snow and clouds. Praise him, wind and storm, as you obey his commands.
- Matthew 5:45If you live like this, you will show that you really are children of your Father above. God is kind to everyone. He causes the sun to shine on everyone, both good people and bad people. He also causes the rain to fall on everyone, people who obey him and people who do not obey him.
- Romans 16:26God's prophets already wrote that this good news would come. God, who lives for ever, has commanded us to tell it to people. He wants people from all nations to know this message. Then they can believe in God and obey him.
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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