Exegesis of Romans 1:18-21
Exegesis of Romans 1:18-21
Fred G. Zaspel, 1993
Introduction
Following some introductory remarks leading to a statement of his theme, namely the saving power of the gospel of God's righteousness received by faith (1:16-17), the apostle Paul begins in this section to develop his argument. "The righteousness of God" revealed in the gospel is a gift of God received on the sole basis of faith (dikaiosune theou . . . ek pisteos v.17) in Jesus Christ. This justifying righteousness is the heart of Paul's gospel and is the only message of salvation for both Jew and Greek (v.16).
But the truth and necessity of this message must be established. Accordingly, in 1:18-3:20 Paul argues for man's need of justification. This need for a gift of righteousness is made evident by a display of human depravity; hence, the strong accusatory and condemnatory language of this section of the epistle.
The universal rebellion and consequent guilt of humanity form the theme which Paul develops in this passage (1:18-21).
Structure
The apostle argues that God's wrath against sinners is already being revealed (apokaluptetai, v.18). He then justifies this assertion (dioti . . . dioti) by exposing man's continual rebellion against known truth (v.19-21a). Finally, he points out that this rebellion has driven humanity into a vicious downward spiral into further depravity (21b). Paul moves from the fact of God's wrath to its cause (sin) and then on to its display in the (temporal) effects of that sin.
Point of Reference
It is commonly accepted that Paul is here establishing the guilt of the Gentile world and that his condemnation of the Jew is taken up in chapters 2 and (particularly) 3. There is little doubt that this assessment is generally accurate, but it is significant that while Paul does not mention the Jew here explicitly, neither does he so mention the Gentile; rather, he speaks of anthropon. Moreover, virtually all that is said in these verses is
Fred G. Zaspel, 1993
Introduction
Following some introductory remarks leading to a statement of his theme, namely the saving power of the gospel of God's righteousness received by faith (1:16-17), the apostle Paul begins in this section to develop his argument. "The righteousness of God" revealed in the gospel is a gift of God received on the sole basis of faith (dikaiosune theou . . . ek pisteos v.17) in Jesus Christ. This justifying righteousness is the heart of Paul's gospel and is the only message of salvation for both Jew and Greek (v.16).
But the truth and necessity of this message must be established. Accordingly, in 1:18-3:20 Paul argues for man's need of justification. This need for a gift of righteousness is made evident by a display of human depravity; hence, the strong accusatory and condemnatory language of this section of the epistle.
The universal rebellion and consequent guilt of humanity form the theme which Paul develops in this passage (1:18-21).
Structure
The apostle argues that God's wrath against sinners is already being revealed (apokaluptetai, v.18). He then justifies this assertion (dioti . . . dioti) by exposing man's continual rebellion against known truth (v.19-21a). Finally, he points out that this rebellion has driven humanity into a vicious downward spiral into further depravity (21b). Paul moves from the fact of God's wrath to its cause (sin) and then on to its display in the (temporal) effects of that sin.
Point of Reference
It is commonly accepted that Paul is here establishing the guilt of the Gentile world and that his condemnation of the Jew is taken up in chapters 2 and (particularly) 3. There is little doubt that this assessment is generally accurate, but it is significant that while Paul does not mention the Jew here explicitly, neither does he so mention the Gentile; rather, he speaks of anthropon. Moreover, virtually all that is said in these verses is