1. Structure: (Gk) v.18 For...v.19 for...v.20 For...v.21for
They are reasons. One explaining the others.
In v.16-17 the salvation is totally out of God's power and none from man. Why?
v.18 For, we are all under the wrath of God, being ungodly (BDAG-vertical) and unrighteous (horizontal).
(And what is unrighteous? It is the suppressing of the truth).
v.19 Why the Bible said we are suppressing the truth? What truth? because truth has been make plain to us by God. (suppressing the truth is repeated in v.21, 25, 28)
(How did God make the truth plain to us?)
v.20 For, through the creation, His attributes have been clearly seen. Conclusion: People are without excuse to not knowing the truth and no excuse to be unrighteous.
(What did they do to show their unrighteousness and ungodliness?)
v.21 Their suppressing of the truth also affects their vertical relationship with God. People knew God but did not glorify him or give him thanks. Instead they worship idols.
2. Repeated words:
A. The wrath of God is revealed, the truth about God is plain to them, bc God has made it plain to them the invisible attributes have been clearly seen and be understood. For although they knew God...they did not glorify God or give him thanks...
So people are without excuse. The problem of is not that people did not know or could not know but suppressing what can be known and what they know. God has made it plain o them about His existence and He revealed from heaven His wrath. Man does not want to receive the message for our own agenda. We deserved the wrath of God.
B. They did not glorify God nor give Him thanks, but...exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image assembling (BDAG-state of being similar in appearance, image, form) mortal human beings...birds...animals or reptiles.
What we do for our willful rebellion is to prescribe a false value to the creatures (giving them glory), and not to the Creator, just because the creatures are similar to us (v.23 an image resembling mortal human beings).
Reflection: God is righteous in His wrath because He has done so much to make Himself known to us. We do not want to respond because of our own rebellion. Do I make myself under God's wrath when I read so much Scriptures and do not respond? Do I give myself too excuse for ignorance? Or do I actually know about the facts but just suppress the truth for my own convenience?
In our rebellion, we like creatures who are similar to us and give them value, but we do not give value to God who created us. Do I give false value to the creatures and do not give God the honor? Do I like my comfortable and peaceful life more than I want to honor God who gives me these things?
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