1:18-32 Creation's Witness

Romans 1:18-32
Creation’s Witness

“All men and women (Jesus being the solitary exception) are sinful, guilty and without excuse before God. Already they are under his wrath. Already they stand condemned. It is a theme of great solemnity. It is also the necessary dark background against which the gospel shines uprightly, and an indispensable foundation for world evangelization.” (John Stott)

I. God’s Wrath

a. The Wrath of God (vs 18)

Note: Wrath is a necessary part of God’s justice. It is not that God is a cosmic tyrant or torturer. God is holy and just, and therefore cannot allow evil to continue unpunished. As the Creator of the universe He is responsible for all He has made. His Wrath, far from showing God to be cruel, demonstrates His infinite goodness.

1. Is it difficult to look at God as wrathful? Why or why not? What would happen if God never showed his wrath?

b. God gave them over (vv 24, 26, 28)

Note: The same Greek word is used in each of these verses paradidomi ‘to give over’ God removing his restraint and leaving people to themselves appears to be one of the most worst acts of judgment God will do.

1. Why would it be a punishment for God to ‘give over’ someone, leaving them to their own depravity?

2. What is the purpose of God’s ‘giving over’? To destroy or to bring about repentance?


II. Creation’s witness

a. God’s invisible qualities…have been clearly seen (vs 20)

Note: It is clear throughout Scripture that creation reveals God to some degree. However, knowledge of God through creation is never enough to establish a relationship with him. What then does our knowledge of God through creation do? Increases our responsibility towards God and in turn magnifies our depravity.

1. What can we learn about God through creation?

2. Why do you think we are unable to establish a relational knowledge of God merely through creation?

3. How would you respond to someone who tells you “Creation is my catechism, I don’t need a book or a church to tell me about God”?

b. exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images (vs 23)

1. Do other religions show people striving towards God, or do they show how far they have turned away from God?

2. Idolatry is the worship of anyone or anything other than God. Is idolatry a problem today? Why?


III. Our depravity

a. Sexual impurity (vs 24)

1. Why do you think the apostle Paul uses sexuality as an example of human depravity?

2. What is the Biblical teaching on homosexuality?

b. Paul lists numerous descriptions of human sinfulness

1. wickedness
2. evil
3. greed
4. depravity
5. envy
6. murder
7. strife
8. deceit
9. malice
10. gossips
11. slanderers
12. God-haters
13. insolent
14. arrogant
15. boastful
16. inventors of evil
17. disobedient to parents
18. senseless
19. faithless
20. heartless
21. ruthless

1. What observations can you make about this list of sins? What do you think is Paul’s purpose in rattling off this list?

c. “[they] also approve of those who practice them”

1. Why is this an even further step in human depravity?

Final Question: How does this ‘dark background’ to the gospel impress upon you? How does God’s proclamation compare with our self-understanding?