Romans 1:19
in Romans 1For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.
KJV
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
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This verse in Romans 1
Commentary
18 notes on this verseBecause what is known of God is manifest in them; for God has manifested it to them. We have already said above that what is known of God is that which they can attain from the order and reasons of this world, as the Apostle himself indicates from what follows, saying that his invisible things are contemplated through the things that have been made.
This site's exposition
what may be known about God is plain to them
on Romans 1:19-20
God has made what may be known about Him plain. Creation has shown His eternal power and divine nature, invisible qualities understood from His workmanship. The word for without excuse is anapologetos, with no defense to offer, and that is where the chapter leaves the nations.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
The knowledge of God is plain from the structure of the world. For God, who by nature is invisible, may be known even from things which are visible. For his work is made in such a way that it reveals its Maker by its very …
A commentator
Philoxenus of Mabbug13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 3 -- On Faith · Written before 523.
proposed
For in that manner in which the recognition of God is placed within us naturally, even as the blessed Paul said, "The notion of God is manifest in them, for God hath revealed it in them," is faith also naturally implanted in all our thoughts. …
A commentator
Lucius Caecilius Firmianus LactantiusThe Divine Institutes Book 2, Chapter III · Written before 325.
proposed
But (as I have said) pardon may be granted to those who are ignorant and do not own themselves to be wise; but it cannot be extended to those who, while they profess wisdom, rather exhibit folly. I am not, indeed, so unjust as to imagine that they could divine, so that they might find out the truth by themselves; for I acknowledge that this is impossible. But I require from them that which they were able to perform by reason itself. For they would act more prudently, if they both understood that some form of religion is true, and if, while they attacked false religions, they openly proclaimed that men were not in possession of that which is true.
But this glory they invested stocks and stones with. As then he which is entrusted with the goods of the king, and is ordered to spend them upon the king's glory, if he waste these upon robbers, and harlots, and witches, and make these splendid out of the king's stores, he is punished as having done the kingdom the greatest wrong. Thus they also who after having received the knowledge of God and of His glory, invested idols therewith, "held the truth in unrighteousness," and, at least as far as was in their power, dealt unrighteously by the knowledge, by not using it upon fitting objects. Now, has what was said become clear to you, or must one make it still clearer? Perhaps it were needful to say somewhat more. What then is it which is here said? The knowledge of Himself God placed in men from the beginning. But this knowledge they invested stocks and stones with, and so dealt unrighteously to the truth, as far at least as they might. For it abideth unchanged, having its own glory immutable. "And whence is it plain that He placed in them this knowledge, O Paul?" "Because," saith he, "that which may be known of Him is manifest in them." This, however, is an assertion, not a proof. But do thou make it good, and show me that the knowledge of God was plain to them, and that they willingly turned aside. Whence was it plain then? did He send them a voice from above? By no means. But what was able to draw them to Him more than a voice, that He did, by putting before them the Creation, so that both wise, and unlearned, and Scythian, and barbarian, having through sight learned the beauty of the things which were seen, might mount up to God...
The Medieval Church1 voice
A commentator
BonaventureDisputed Questions on the Knowledge of Christ, Question 4 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
As the Apostle says in Romans, chapter one, *that which is known of God is manifest in them:* although God is simple and uniform, nevertheless that eternal light and that exemplar represents certain things as it were *exteriorly* and *openly,* but certain things more *profoundly* …
11 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church3 voices
Then when he says because that which is known of God, he manifests what he has said, but in reverse order. For he first admits that wise men among the gentiles knew the truth about God; second, he shows that there was ungodliness and injustice …
A commentator
BonaventureCollations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 5 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
These are the nine luminaries enlightening the soul, to wit, the truth of things, words and actions: of things, that is, of essences, of figures, and of natures: in their "suchness" referring to hidden differences, in their quantity referring to manifest proportions, in their nature …
A commentator
BonaventureDisputed Questions on the Mystery of the Trinity, Question 1 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
Although God is simple and uniform in himself, nevertheless in a certain way he is hidden and in a certain way is manifest, as the Apostle intimates in Romans 1: What is known of God is manifest in them. For to some the trinity of …
The Puritans and the Awakening4 voices
Because that which may be known of God,.... There are some things which could not be known of God by the light of nature; as a trinity of persons in the Godhead; the knowledge of God in Christ as Mediator; the God-man and Mediator Jesus Christ; his incarnation, sufferings, death, and resurrection; the will of God to save sinners by a crucified Jesus; the several peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, particularly the resurrection of the dead, and the manner of worshipping of God with acceptance: but then there are some things which may be known of God, without a revelation.
For what is to be known of God - Those great principles which are indispensably necessary to be known. Is manifest in them; for God hath showed it to them - By the light which enlightens every man that cometh into the world.
Whence they had these discoveries: God hath shown it to them. Those common natural notions which they had of God were imprinted upon their hearts by the God of nature himself, who is the Father of lights. This sense of a Deity, and a regard to that Deity, are so connate with the human nature that some think we are to distinguish men from brutes by these rather than by reason.
The several opinions and hypotheses of the various sects of philosophers concerning these things were so many vain imaginations. When truth is forsaken, errors multiply in infinitum -- infinitely. (4.) And their foolish heart was darkened.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Because - The apostle proceeds to show how it was that the pagan hindered the truth by their iniquity. This he does by showing that the truth might be known by the works of creation; and that nothing but their iniquity prevented it. That which may be known of God - That which is “knowable” concerning God. The expression implies that there may be many things concerning God which cannot be known. But there are also many things which may be ascertained.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
Because that which may be--rather, "which is." known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them--The sense of this pregnant statement the apostle proceeds to unfold in Ro 1:20.
That which may be known of God - Dr. Taylor paraphrases this and the following verse thus: “Although the Gentiles had no written revelation, yet what may be known of God is every where manifest among them, God having made a clear discovery of himself to them. For his being and perfections, invisible to our bodily eyes, have been, ever since the creation of the world, evidently to be seen, if attentively considered, in the visible beauty, order, and operations observable in the constitution and parts of the universe; especially his eternal power and universal dominion and providence: so that they cannot plead ignorance in excuse of their idolatry and wickedness.”
Modern Voices1 voice
Now there is very good ground for guessing that religion did not originally come from some detail that was forgotten because it was too small to be traced. Much more probably it was an idea that was abandoned because it was too large to be …
The words behind it
14 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| διότι | dioti | because | G1360 → | 23 times |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| γνωστὸν | gnoston | known | G1110 → | |
| τοῦ | tou | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θεοῦ | theou | of God | G2316 → | 1312 times |
| φανερόν | phaneron | manifest | G5318 → | 18 times |
| ἐστιν | estin | is | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ἐν | en | among | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| αὐτοῖς· | autois | them; | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ὁ | ho | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θεὸς | theos | God | G2316 → | 1312 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| αὐτοῖς | autois | to them | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ἐφανέρωσεν. | ephanerosen | has revealed [it]. | G5319 → |
διότιbecause
diotiG1360 →23 times
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
γνωστὸνknown
gnostonG1110 →
τοῦ<the>
touG3588 →19766 times
θεοῦof God
theouG2316 →1312 times
φανερόνmanifest
phaneronG5318 →18 times
ἐστινis
estinG1510 →2333 times
ἐνamong
enG1722 →2738 times
αὐτοῖς·them;
autoisG846 →5565 times
ὁ<the>
hoG3588 →19766 times
θεὸςGod
theosG2316 →1312 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
αὐτοῖςto them
autoisG846 →5565 times
ἐφανέρωσεν.has revealed [it].
ephanerosenG5319 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Romans 1:20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
it leads to
- Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one…
- Psalms 19:1–6
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
- Psalms 8:3
When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—
- Psalms 33:6–9
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.
- Romans 2:15
So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them
- Isaiah 40:26
Through
Isaiah 40:26Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one…
it leads to
- Colossians 1:16–17
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.
- Jeremiah 32:17–19
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!
- Isaiah 48:13
Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together.
- Colossians 1:16–17
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Romans
This page draws on 18 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistle to the Romans; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Bonaventure, Disputed Questions on the Knowledge of Christ, Question 4; Bonaventure, Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 5; Bonaventure, Disputed Questions on the Mystery of the Trinity, Question 1; GK Chesterton, The Everlasting Man, Ch. 4 (1925); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans; John Chrysostom, Homily on Romans 3; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Book 2, Chapter III; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS; Philoxenus of Mabbug, 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 3 -- On Faith and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Romans.