Romans 1:19
What does Romans 1:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 1:19 means
People are accountable because what can be known about God is evident among them; God himself has made it evident. This is an inner and outer revelation: humans possess awareness of God, and creation testifies to him. The problem is not God’s silence but human resistance. God has taken the initiative to make knowledge of himself accessible at a basic level—enough to lead to worship and gratitude. Therefore, ignorance is culpable when it stems from willful refusal. Paul lays the groundwork for the claim that humanity is without excuse, because God’s self-disclosure reaches all people in meaningful ways.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because the knowledge of God may be seen in them, God having made it clear to them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Because that which is known of God is manifest among them, for God did manifest <FI>it<Fi> to them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For God hath manifested it unto them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Because what is known ofGod is manifest among them, forGod has manifested [it] to them,
Context
Building on the assertion of wrath against suppressors of truth (v.18), verse 19 explains that knowledge of God is manifest because God has manifested it. Verse 20 will specify that creation clearly displays God’s invisible attributes. This prepares the indictment that humanity’s failure to honor and thank God is not due to lack of revelation but to sin, leading into the exchange of glory for images (vv.21–23).
v.18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;
v.19This passage
v.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:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 14:16
who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.
- Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork.
- Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking.
- Romans 1:20
For 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:
- John 1:9
There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
- Jeremiah 10:10
But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.
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