Romans 1:20
What does Romans 1:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 1:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 1:20 means
From the world’s creation, God’s invisible attributes—his eternal power and divinity—have been clearly perceived in what he has made. Creation is a theater of God’s glory, communicating enough about his greatness to obligate worship and thankfulness. This general revelation does not save by itself, but it renders people “without excuse” for idolatry and ingratitude. The clarity is moral, not exhaustive: one can truly perceive God’s reality and power without knowing all doctrine. The issue is not information but response. The created order continually points beyond itself to the Creator, leaving no legitimate defense for suppressing the truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For from the first making of the world, those things of God which the eye is unable to see, that is, his eternal power and existence, are fully made clear, he having given the knowledge of them through the things which he has made, so that men have no reason for wrongdoing:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead--to their being inexcusable;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. His eternal power also and divinity: so that they are inexcusable.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890— for from [the] world's creation the invisible things of him are perceived, being apprehended by the mind through the things that are made, both his eternal power and divinity, — so as to render them inexcusable.
Context
Verse 20 completes the thought of verse 19: creation itself displays God’s power and divinity so plainly that people are accountable. With this foundation, verses 21–23 will describe how knowing God, humanity failed to glorify and thank him, embracing futile thinking and idolatry. The progression will then show God’s judicial response—giving them over to their desires (vv.24–28)—and the resulting cascade of sins (vv.29–31).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 2:9
for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,
- Psalms 33:6
By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
- Acts 17:29
Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man.
- Romans 2:15
in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them);
- Psalms 104:5
Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved for ever.
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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