Romans 1:20

Romans 1:20

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:

a. NLT: For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

b. 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.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: for 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;

d. Amplified Bible: For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],

e. Worrell Translation: For His invisible things, since the creation of the world, are clearly seen, beingperceived by the things that are made,even His everlasting power and divinity; that they are without excuse.

1. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen…”

a. For [1063 * gar] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. the invisible things [517 * aoratos; a-negative; horao-to see][Strong: invisible:--invisible (thing).]

c. of him [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

d. from [575 * apo] [Strong: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.]

e. the creation [2937 * ktisis] [Strong:  from 2936; original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively):--building, creation, creature, ordinance.]

f. world [2889 * kosmos][Vine: primarily order,arrangement, ornament, adornment, is used to denote the earth. (Romans 1:20, probably here, the universe, it had this meaning among the Greeks, owing to the order observable in it.)] [Thayer: In the Septuagint it is used of the

Arrangement of the stars, the heavenly hosts; As the ornament of the heavens.] [BULLINGER: Denotes the order of the world, The ordered universe, the ordered entirety of God’s creation but considered separated from God. Then, the abode of humanity…then Mankind as it manifests itself in and through such order.] [Strong: probably from the base of 2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world.]

g. are clearly seen [2529 * kathorao][Strong: to behold fully, i.e. (figuratively) distinctly apprehend:--clearly see.]

1). The invisible eternal power and Divinity of God was clearly seen by this group of people, by looking at the created world order.

2. “…being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead…”

a. being understood [3539 * noeo][Strong: to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figuratively) to comprehend, heed:--consider, perceive, think, understand.][Thayer:  to perceive with the mind, to understand, to have understanding, to think upon, ponder, consider.]

b. by the things that are made [4161 * poima][Strong: a product, i.e. fabric (literally or figuratively):--thing that is made, workmanship.][Thayer: that which has been made, a work, of the works of God as Creator.]

1). The Deity and eternal power of God was clearly seen in the creation of the universe; and the people of the post-flood period understood that. This revelation was not only in the animal kingdom: Job 12:7-10; but also in the stars, the original meaning of the signs of the Zodiac: Job 26:13, 14; 38:31-34; (See Thayer’s definition of world/kosmos). The revelation was so clear that they were without excuse. This is why the Apostle Paul, when speaking about receiving faith from the word of God, used the word ‘rhema’ and then applied it to Psalm 19:4.

a). Romans 10:17, 18 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

b). Psalm 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

c). Psalm 19:16 is a passage about the revelation of the heavens declaring the glory of God.

3. “…so that they are without excuse:”

a. so [1519 *  eis] [Strong: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

b. that they [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

c. are [1511 * einai] [Strong: present infinitive from 1510; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.]

d. without excuse [379 * anapologetos][Strong: indefensible:--without an excuse, inexcusable.][Thayer:  inexcusable, that which cannot be defended, without defense or excuse.]

1). They were without excuse because the eternal power and Divinity of God was clearly seen, and understood to them.