E. The believer in Jesus Christ has entered into a relationship of benevolent servitude.
        The MASTER (God) has only the welfare of his servants in mind.
        As a bond servant the believer seeks only what is beneficial to the master.
        He seeks only to please God. Acts 5:29, "We must obey God rather than men."
        We are left here on earth to promote the character and plan of God in our life and our message.
        Paul clarifies that there is no room for compromise in our servitude. Galatians 1:10
        Religion and Christianity are mutually exclusive. And only Christianity is pleasing to God.
        And in fact, only true biblical Christianity is pleasing to God.
        So it is imperative that each believer comes to terms with grace, faith, freedom
        and true spirituality. And of course, that is why there is so much debate and division.
     See Topic: SERVING GOD

3. Of Christ Jesus: This is the one who purchased and owns the slave
    A. Acts 20:28; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 7:23
    B. Titus 1:1 and James 1:1 - servant of God
    C. The order of words, “Christ Jesus” indicates an emphasis in the mind of the writer. Paul
         changes the order many times in his writings and nothing is to be made of it except his own
         personal focus at the time.
    D. Christ: christos means anointed one, and refers to the Messianic commission from
        God the Father.   Luke 4:18; Acts 4;27; Psalm 2:1 and Acts 4:26
        1. The promise to Abraham: Gal. 3:16; Rom. 9:4-5
        2. At Jesus’ birth: Luke 2:11
        3. Simeon’s confession: Luke 2:25-32
        4. John’s confession: John 1:19-20; 3:27-36;
        5. Jesus’ confession: John 4:25-26; Mat. 26:63-66
        6. Peter’s confession: Mat. 16:15-16; Acts 2:36
        7. Apostle John’s statement: John 20:30-31
        8. Paul’s conviction: Acts 9:22
        9. Son of man title: John 9:35-38
      10. The issue of the incarnation: 1 Jon. 2:22; 4:2; 5:1
      11. Fulfilled prophecy: Luke 24:25-27

    E. Jesus: The name means “Yahweh saves,” or “savior.” The emphasis is on his humanity and the
        soul sacrifice required for the redemption of mankind. Isaiah 53:10-11; John 1:14, 29, the
        Lamb of God.
        This originated from Gabriel at Mat. 1:21, where it is also explained. Luke 1:31 and 2:21

4. The status and attitude of the bond servant.
    A. All believers have a servant status. 1 Cor. 7:23
    B. All believers should live as a servant of Christ.  Eph. 6:6; 1 Pet. 2:16
    C. A new believer is unable to fully orient to his servant status and function, and must be taught
         and equipped for service.  Eph. 4:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:15
    D. As the believer learns more and more about the character and plan of God, he comes to the
        place where he accepts with humility, confidence and joy his place as servant of Christ. 
                1 Peter 1:13-17
    E. In secular society, the bond servant is characterized by the CHOICE to stay in service after the
        time of his indenturment has expired.
    F. For the believer, the CHOICE to FUNCTION as a bond servant is made on a daily basis
         concerning values and priorities in every area of  life.
        Mat. 6:24; 10:34-38; Luke 9:23; Joshua 24:14-15
    G. The believer perpetuates his FUNCTION as a servant by maintaining fellowship with God
         through walking in the light by the filling/control of the Holy Spirit and using Bible truth.
        No man can serve two masters. The believer will either be under the control of the sin nature
        or under the filling/control of the Spirit. Romans 6:12-20; Gal. 5:1, 13-17; Romans 13:17-18

    H. To call oneself a servant of God, indicates that the choice has been made to live under the
         jurisdiction of God’s authority, viewpoint and policy as found in the Bible.

    I. If the confession is made without conformity to the standards of Bible truth, then it is a false and
        self-deceptive confession. In such a case, the believer is out of fellowship with God but has not
        lost his salvation. 1 John 1:5-10; James 1:5-8, 21-27
        However, such a one MIGHT not even be a believer. Mat. 7:15-29

5. A called apostle: NOT - called as an apostle.
    A. Apostle refers to the spiritual gift of apostle, which was the highest authority in the church.
        As an apostle, Paul not only has great CARE for all the churches (2 Cor. 11:28), but he also
         has authority to pass on DIVINE viewpoint and policy.
        Paul’s Authority
        1. Divine revelation claimed: Eph. 3:3; Gal. 1:11-12
        2. Supported by Luke: book of Acts
        3. Supported by Peter: 2 Peter 3:15-16
        4. Supported by tradition: The church fathers
            Clement of Rome (95 AD), Ignatius (110 AD) and Polycarp (916 AD)
        5. Supported by context
        6. Using the argument of silence: There are no dissenters.
            Supported by John and by Jude
        7. By the Jerusalem church: via Luke at Acts 15.

    B. The word called is the adjective, klAtos, and describes the apostle. The word AS does not
        occur here in the Greek.  It is a simple noun with a simple adjective before it.
        What kind of apostle? A “called” one.
        The exact same construction occurs in verse 7, where the adjective “called” is placed in front of
        the noun, “saints.” The correct translation there is “called saints” and NOT “called AS saints.”
        This is why in both phrases, the “as” is in italics in most English translations; the word AS does
         not occur in the Greek.
        1. called: the adjective, klAtos, means, called, invited, appointed. The verb kaleo means to call,
             invite and appoint. The basic idea of the word is INVITE, but once someone has  accepted
             the invitation, he is now seen as one who HAS BEEN invited and who has accepted the
             invitation, and is therefore placed in the position that he was invited to. Thus, the adjective,
            “called” is now employed to describe this STATUS of being in the promised position.
            In the case of the apostle, the focus is on the apostolic commission that he has as an auxiliary
            factor to his salvation.
            This word goes hand in hand with the word for ELECTION or CHOOSING. The word
            CALL, refers to the invitation, the word ELECT (choose) refers to what God does after the
             invitation is accepted.
            Many (actually all) are called but few are chosen. All are invited, but only those who accept
            the invitation are CHOSEN and PLACED into the plan of God.
            In regard to verse 7, every believer is a saint and every saint is one who has ACCEPTED
            the calling (invitation) to be saved. This one is now seen as invited AND chosen to be in the
            plan of God.
        2. For details see Topic: Election
        3. This invitation and choosing involves three factors. Privilege, rank and function.
            a. The PRIVILEGE is always based on grace. The spiritual gift
               is not earned or merited, but given by the sovereign decision
               of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. Paul realizes
               that he is both SAVED and an apostle because of God’s gracious gift. Every believer
               receives one spiritual gift at the point of salvation based entirely on grace.
                            1 Cor. 12:11; Eph. 4:7-11; 1 Peter 4:10.
            b. The RANK is first a salvation issue. We are placed into the position of Divine royalty
             (1 Peter 2:9). Concerning the spiritual gift, each gift has a FUNCTIONAL rank aspect to it.
             In every case, it is a function that has a special and unique purpose.
            c. The FUNCTION refers to the specific and unique divine ability that is inherent in the gift.
                 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Rom. 12:3-8

    C. See Topic: Apostle

6. Set apart: the verb, aphoridzO occurs as a perfect passive participle and means to separate, take away, set apart, appoint. It expresses the idea of restriction and dedication to a specific purpose. That purpose is identified as UNTO (eis) the gospel of God.
The perfect tense of the verb indicates something that has been completed in the past and the results continue on into the present and future. It thus views the action as a COMPLETED and PERMANENT condition.
The passive voice means that the subject receives the action. This is something that has been done TO Paul rather than something that he has done to or for himself.
The participle form gives the verb an adjectival function and is a further description attached to the name, Paul.
Paul HAS BEEN and IS set apart by God for the specific purpose of promoting the gospel in his life.
The gospel of God refers to the GOOD NEWS of God for the spiritual function of the human race. This includes FIRST, the provision and mechanics for getting saved from the eternal penalty of sin. SECOND, it includes the provision and mechanics for HOW TO LIVE here on earth after salvation.
See Topic: The Gospel

Verses 2-6
A parenthesis to amplify the gospel
Verse 2
1. which He promised before: The verb is proepangellomai.
The BEFORE comes from the prefix, pro, and is simply referring to a time prior to the historical arrival and work of the Messiah. The time is identified as the time when the prophets wrote about it in the Scriptures, which refers to Moses through Malachi. 1 Peter 1:10-11; Luke 24:25-27, 44

2. At Titus 1:2, the verb is epangellO, and the prefix is replaced by the preposition form of "pro".
“The hope of eternal life which the not-lying God promised before the everlasting times.”
In this case, it is referring to a specific promise at a specific time BEFORE the historical time periods began. It must refer to the very FIRST salvation promise which was given at Genesis 3:15 immediately after the fall of the Adam and Ishah.
It is then and because of that fall, that the AGES or DISPENSATIONS that God would use to administer Man’s salvation, began.
At Ephesians 3:11, the administration of Man’s salvation is called “the plan of the ages, which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
See topic: Dispensations

Verse 3
1. Concerning His Son: At the end of verse 4, this one is identified of course, as Jesus Christ our Lord.
    A. Jesus: again, focuses on the humanity of the Messiah and the spiritual sacrifice that was made
        on the cross.
    B. Christ: And again, the anointed one. This title refers to the Messianic commission given by the
        Father to accomplish the final victory over the forces of darkness.
    C. Lord: kurios is a title of authority in general.
        Specifically, it is a title that indicates the possession of divine authority, which establishes the
        deity of the one who has that authority. John 5:17-27; Acts 2:36

2. Who was born: the verb is ginomai and means to become something you were not before. In this case, then, to become or COME into existence, or to come on the scene of human history. It is proper to translate it as BORN. At Gal. 4:4, the same word is used in “born of a woman,” but it is with the phrase “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son.”
So we have TWO ideas to focus on.
(1) God SENT the Son, and
(2) The Son was born.
The SENDING was the decision of the Godhead for the 2nd member of the Godhead to enter into the human race as the Messiah-Savior.
The BIRTH was the mechanics of the arrival, prophesied at Isaiah 7:14
and stated as fulfilled at John 1:14.
The HISTORICAL details are found at Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-21
The TECHNICAL details are found at Philippians 2:6-8.

3. From the seed of David: This refers to the royal line of Israel and specifically traces the birth of Jesus back to David’s genealogy.
See Topic: The Messianic Lineage
4. According to the flesh: According to the standard of human procreation and true humanity.
See Topic: The Virgin Birth

Verse 4
1. Who was declared: the verb is horidzO, which means to define, mark out or designate. As an aorist tense, it refers to a past specific point of time which is identified in the sentence as the event of the resurrection.
The passive voice of the verb indicates that the Messiah RECEIVED this designation from someone else. Of course it is the Father and the Spirit who actively brought about the resurrection.

2. As the Son of God: The title is an indication of deity. The people knew what the title meant as per John 5:17-18 and 10:30-39.
It is the resurrection that establishes the veracity of Christ’s claim to be the Son of God. It is the resurrection that is the PROOF of the person and work of Jesus as per Acts 17:31.
3. with power: dunamis, in this context indicates the supernatural activity that produced the resurrection of Jesus.
4. By the resurrection from the dead: See Topic Resurrection: summary

5. According to the Spirit of holiness: this is the only place this noun, hagiosunA, is used with the Spirit. Everywhere else it is the Holy (hagios, which is an adjective) Spirit or even SPIRIT alone. However, there is no difference in meaning. The focus is still on the fact that the Holy Spirit is characterized by a uniqueness that is found only with God.
See Topic: The Holy Spirit - His person and work

6. Jesus Christ our Lord: Establishes who Paul is talking about without any doubts.

Verse 5
1. Through Whom: The PROVISION of spiritual gifts is from Jesus through His ascension to the right hand of the Father. Eph. 4:8
The MECHANICS are accomplished by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:7-11

2. We have received: This is an aorist active indicative of lambanO and refers to the specific POINT IN TIME that the spiritual gift of apostle was given, which was the point of salvation for Paul.

3. Grace: charis, here, refers to all the grace resources for living the Christian life and serving as an ambassador. They are not earned or merited in any way; they are not sought for or asked for, but given to the believer at the point of salvation. Specifically, the word GRACE refers to the PROVISION of the spiritual gift, whereas apostleship refers to the ACTUAL gift.

4. and apostleship: The SPECIFIC area of service is the individual’s spiritual gift, which in Paul’s case is the gift of apostle.

5. To bring about: The preposition, EIS, means unto or toward when it occurs with the genitive case of the following noun, as it does here.
The purpose of the apostle gift is to communicate TRUTH and encourage a positive response to that truth; whether it is gospel information or spiritual growth information (2 Cor. 13:10, edification).

6. obedience of faith: hupakoA + pistis
Obedience refers to the positive response to the gospel of salvation.
2 Thes. 1:8; Heb. 5:9; 1 Pet. 4:17; Acts 5:32; 6:7; John 3:36; Rom. 6:17; 16:26.
The word, obedience, is used because the decision to BELIEVE in Christ is in fact, an expression of obedience to the demand of the gospel invitation, which occurs in the mood of command, the imperative mood.   Acts 16:31; 2:38; Mark 1:15

7. Among all the nations: the principle of John 1:9-12 and Titus 2:11 and Acts 1:8 and Acts 17:30-31 and Matthew 28:18-20.

8. For His names sake: On behalf of His name. The word NAME has in view his CHARACTER and not his appellation. The communication of the gospel is for the promotion of God’s character and plan.

Verse 6
1. Among whom: Refers to all the nations and indicates that some of the ALL MEN have made a volitional decision to trust in Christ.

2. you also are the CALLED of Jesus Christ: the adjective, klAtos, is used again to indicate the STATUS of these believers. They are ones who have been invited AND have accepted the invitation. Thus they are in the plan of God, in the family of God, and in the kingdom of God. They are in a unique relationship with both the Father and the Son. Here, the SOURCE of the invitation focuses on Christ, and the OWNERSHIP of the one who has called focuses on Christ. The genitive case construction, “called OF Jesus Christ,” indicates this relationship. They are called THROUGH Christ and belong to Christ.
At verse 7, they are designated as, “called (klAtos) saints,” to further emphasize the STATUS of their salvation relationship.

Verse 7
1. To all who are beloved by God: the adjective, agapAtos, indicates that these believers are objects of God’s love. Of course, the whole world comes under God’s love (John 3:16), but that is God’s universal desire to benefit his creation based on His compassion and Mercy (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4). Here, it is referring to RELATIONSHIP love. The specialized love that now views the person as a favored (grace) child of God.    Col. 3:12; Eph. 5:1

2. In Rome: The city had been previously evangelized, perhaps in a large part, by Aquilla and Priscilla. Rom. 16:3-5

3. Called saints: this amplifies the relationship that Paul is describing. He is using several terms to establish the FACT of their salvation-relationship with God.
The word SAINTS, is the adjective, hagios, and indicates a condition of being set apart as special; to be distinguished from others as being DIFFERENT. That difference of course is the positional relationship of being in union with Christ.
See Topic: Position In Union With Christ
and Sanctification

4. grace to you and peace: This is the standard apostolic greeting, and expresses his desire AND exhortation that they experience the abundant life of peace, joy and inner stability.
    A. The word GRACE, refers to all o God’s resources that are available
        as per Rom. 8:32 (“freely give us all things”), and 2 Peter 1:3-4
        (“everything that pertains to life and good worship”).
        1. The resources are available, but the believer must CHOOSE to use
            those provisions. Heb. 4:16; 1 Peter 5:12, “you stand firm in it.”
        2. This then will result in soul strength through character growth.
        3. The maximum utilization of grace resources is based on consistency in knowing and
            expressing love for God.   Eph. 6:24; 3:14-19

    B. And peace: the noun, eirAne, refers to perfect soul relaxation; free from guilt and antagonism
         and conflict.
        1. It is the peace of the abundant life as promised by Jesus.   Jn. 14:27; 16:33
        2. Paul describes it at Phil. 4:6-7.
        3. Romans 15:13, peace, joy and confidence. Joy and confidence go hand in hand to produce a
            genuine peace within.
        4. The peace of God is the RESULT of using God’s grace resources to handle the pressures of
            the antagonistic environment in which we live.
            a. The environment is PHYSICALLY antagonistic to us because of the curse on the earth.
            b. The environment is spiritually antagonistic to us because we live in the kingdom of
             darkness, and the darkness hates the light. Thus we come under attack from Satan and his
              angels (demons) and from the human citizens of this kingdom, the unbelievers.
            c. The environment is inherently antagonistic to us because we have the sin nature still in our
              mentality and it is inconstant conflict with the Holy Spirit and the Word.
              Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:24; 1 Pet. 2:11
        5. The mechanics of experiencing grace and peace is by knowing and using Bible Truth.
            2 Pet. 1:2-4. As we come to understand more and more about the character and plan of
           God from LEARNING what is revealed in the Bible, we gain capacity to USE that
           understanding to access God’s GRACE resources and to experience true PEACE and joy.

5. From God our Father:
    A. Communicates personal relationship through the new birth.
    B. Communicates authority and origin: Rom. 8:32
    C. Communicates the SOURCE of our provisions.
    D. At 2 Cor. 13:11, the Father is called, “the God of love and peace.”

6. And from the Lord Jesus Christ: Since Jesus is the one who actually carried out the plan by BEING the sacrifice on the cross, He too is the source and example of many of our grace resources.
Heb. 2:14-18 and 4:14-16.

Verses 8-15, Paul’s unseen affection for the Roman believers.
Verse 8
1. First I thank: The verb eucharisteO means to express GOOD (eu) grace (charis). It is an attitude that is usually manifested in the giving of thanks. In view of the backdrop of spiritual reality, the normal idea of giving thanks takes on a much deeper meaning when we understand that everything we have in Christ is because of God’s grace. Thus, when the believer is giving thanks to God, it is a clear recognition of His grace that has provided everything we need for both salvation, and for living in this world after salvation.

2. my God: Notice again, Paul’s very PERSONAL relationship with God, Whom he recognizes as both the source and the initiator of the plan of the ages.

3. Through Jesus Christ: Although God the Father is the actual SOURCE for all spiritual blessings, He has made them available to us BECAUSE OF Christ’s victory on the cross. As Paul acknowledges at 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, without Christ’s sacrifice on the cross AND the resurrection of Christ, there would be no deliverance from sin and darkness.

4. for you all: The Roman believers whom he has never seen face to face, but has heard of, and on that basis has developed a great spiritual affection for them.

5. Because your faith: THE faith of yours is hoti + THE pistis.
It refers to the function of faith in two categories. Col. 2:6
    A. Saving faith: “Therefore, AS you received Christ Jesus the Lord.”
                We receive Him by faith. John 1:12
    B. Living faith is the consistent application of Bible truth in every  area of life. “so be walking in
         Him.” LIVING FAITH is the subject of Hebrews 11, where we are shown examples of
         believers who LIVED by faith in the face of the many and varied pressures they encountered.
    C. Together, a consistent testimony has been established which has spread all throughout the
        Roman empire.

6. Is being proclaimed: The verb is katangellomai and as a present passive indicative shows the ONGOING testimony that has been established and communicated to others.

7. throughout the whole world: en holos + kosmos.
Wherever the gospel has gone, throughout the entire Roman empire, the testimony of these Roman believers has gone with it.
It is probably best to take, “whole world” as referring to the lands of the Roman empire and even at that, most likely hyperbole to emphasize that the testimony has indeed reached an extensive audience, rather than every single inhabited corner of the land areas involved.
Wuest agrees, so we know at least that there are reputable scholars who so understand the expression. “This is a popular hyperbole speaking of general diffusion throughout the Roman empire.” Romans, page 20.
The other places this terminology occurs are likewise, best taken as hyperbole rather than precisely literal.
Acts 17:6, “These men who have upset the world . . .”
Colosians 1:6, “the gospel, which has come to you just a in all the world.”
Colosians 1:23 is different and more specific, but can still be understood as hyperbole rather than absolutely literal.

Verses 9-10
Paul's consistent prayer ministry for them is evidence of his thankfulness.
1. For: the explanatory GAR, explains the extent of his grace expression.
2. God: Reference to God the Father as the ultimate recipient of our worship and service. Although Christ is the recipient of worship, every aspect of Christianity is geared to glorifying and promoting the character of God the Father.
3. Whom I serve: The verb, latreuo emphasizes a spiritual, priestly service as at Acts 24:14; 2 Tim. 1:3 and Roman 12:1
4. in my spirit: Preposition, EN, plus the pneuma of me. This refers to the human spirit as that which reflects the inner character and devotion of the soul. Romans 12:11, “fervent in the spirit.”
    A. First recognize that the soul and spirit are two separate entities within the structure of man.
            1 Thes. 5:23
    B. Pneuma occurs as a summary word for the inner life at 2 Cor. 7:1 and 1 Cor. 7:34.
    C. And yet since the spirit functions as the reflector of the soul, the two entities are intricately
     connected to express man’s character and emotion.
    Luke 1:46-47; Ex. 35:21; Job 15:12-13; Ps. 34;18; Prov. 15:13; Is. 26:9
    D. Thus, Paul is communicating the genuineness of his service devotion to God by using the
         phrase, “in my spirit.”

5. In the gospel of his son: euangellion, refers to the GOOD NEWS about both salvation and Christian living information. Paul’s service to God revolves around the gospel. It is the content of the gospel that teaches us WHO God is, WHAT He has accomplished for us, and WHAT He wants us to do while here on earth.

6. For God is my witness: God as a martus does not inherently establish the veracity of the statements that are made, but this is still a claim to honesty and objectivity before God.
    A. He is saying that God knows this to be true.
    B. He is not saying it so they will be convinced. Although Paul’s apostolic status lends credibility
         to this statement, just because someone says, “As God is my witness,” it does not establish the
         veracity of the statements that attend the claim.
    C. Paul’s intent is to demonstrate the intensity of his affection and devotion to them.

7. How (by unvarying practice): the adverb, adialeiptOs, is better translated as, “how consistently.”
The mandate for consistency in prayer is seen at 1 Thes. 5:17.
The word expresses consistency as in what would be seen with a hacking cough; a cough that does not seem to go away. Thus, it is not a constant, nonstop idea, but a consistent, whenever-I-think-about-it idea.

8. I make remembrance of you: poieO + mneia. The present middle indicative amplifies the word, consistently, above, and the word, ALWAYS, below. The present tense communicates a continuous practice, which is now defined as EVERY TIME that Paul prays.

V. 10
1. Always: pantote to indicate, every time that Paul prays.
2. in my prayers: The noun, proseuchA, refers to prayer in general and indicates both attitude and practice. But what IS prayer?
The word is comprised of the preposition, PROS, which means in very close proximity and thus, is a great word to express intimacy and works well with the idea of prayer. The other word, in its verbal form, is euchomai, which basically means to DESIRE or WANT something. It is used secularly in greetings such as, “I desire for you to greatly rejoice.”
Prayer then, is the expression of our DESIRES to God. But not just “what I want,” but rather ALL the desires, needs, concerns and feelings of the soul. This is seen more completely at Philip. 4:6-7, where the placement of ALL CONCERNS is put into the Father’s hands through faith.
Of course, any part of prayer is asking FOR things as Paul does here with his desire to visit the believers in Rome.

3. Making request: The present middle participle of deA, relates the specific issue in Paul’s expression of DESIRE toward God and FOR the Roman believers.
4. If perhaps now at last: ei pOs AdA pote, communicates a long standing desire.
5. I may succeed: The verb, euodoO, literally means to be led down a good ROAD, and then to have a good journey. In general, and the way it is usually used, it means to have success at something.

6. In the will of God: The word, thelAma refers to what is in line with the plan and character of God. This reflects the humility attitude that seeks permission from God rather than attempting to pursue one’s own viewpoint and course of action.
This, of course is the attitude of the servant. James 4.13-17

7. To come to you: The verb erchomai, as an aorist active infinitive refers to a a specific point of time in the future.

Verses 11-12 - The reason for Paul’s desire to see them
1. For I long to see you: epipotheO as a present active indicative + horaO as an aorist active infinitive.
This expresses a very strong desire as used by Peter at 1 Peter 2:2.

2. In order that: hina + subjunctive introduces his purpose for wanting to see them.
3. I may give to you: metadidomi means to share something you have with others. The aorist active subjunctive refers to the specific time PERIOD that Paul will be with them.

4. Some spiritual gift: charisma pneumatikos are only used together at this place. The indefinite pronoun, TIS, occurs to indicate something that cannot be SPECIFICALLY identified.
This is a non-specific provision that is given to the entire local church body. Therefore this does not refer to the functional gifts of the Spirit which are given to individuals for the benefit of the local body as at 1 Cor. 12:4-11 and at Romans 12:4-8

5. This refers to some grace ministry of sharing something Paul has with them to enhance their spiritual growth and fellowship consistency.
6. so that: The preposition, eis, indicates direction or reason for the action.

7. You may be established: the verb stAridzO, in the passive voice means the subject receives the action of the verb. It means to be strengthened and stabilized. It is the second stage in the process of growing up spiritually as seen at 1 Peter 5:10. It is the supply of ENCOURAGEMENT (paraklAsis) doctrines and viewpoint to help the believer ENDURE as he begins to learn and absorb the fundamentals of Bible truth (edification doctrines).

8. DOCTRINE OF SUPPORT GRACE

Verse 12
1. That is: amplifies his purpose for wanting to see them by stating one of the results of stabilizing grace.
2. To be mutually encouraged with you: this is the triple compound verb, sumparakaleO.
A. sum = with
B. para = beside
C. kaleo = speak
Thus, to speak something BESIDE (closeness) WITH mutual benefit.

It shows that support grace activity provides encouragement and motivation as the fundamentals of Bible truth are solidified in the believer’s soul.
The aorist passive infinitive indicates still the SAME point of time that Paul would minister to them when he visits. The passive voice, again indicates that believers RECEIVE the benefits of support grace activity.

3. Through the faith of one another, yours and mine: dia + pistis
The respective application of faith in focusing on the various promises
of God, which will result from successfully utilizing stabilizing grace
provides for mutual motivation.
As believers interact with one another and fellowship around the
applicability of God’s word - His viewpoint; His promises and His
policy - there is a mutual encouragement. We are encouraged as we see
how others use God’s word to deal with the various pressures in life.

Verse 13 personal background to Paul’s desire to visit them
1. And I don’t want you to be unknowing: The verb, agnoeO, is used a few times by Paul, although usually in reference to knowledge of specific spiritual truth (Rom. 11:25; 1Cor. 10:1; 1Cor. 12:1; 2Cor. 1:8; 1 Thes. 4:13). Here, He uses it to refer to his own personal motivations and history in reference to his intent to visit them. They don’t know the details, so he wants to reverse a present knowledge deficiency concerning his personal desire about them.

2. That many times I planned: The verb, protithAmi, means to put or place before hand. Thus, the idea of putting into place a course of action that one wants to do. It is not DOING it, but rather PLANNING to do it.

3. to come to you: To visit the believers in Rome
4. And have been prevented thus far: The verb, kOluO, means to hinder, which of course, effectively prevents the intended course of action.
The cause of the hindrance is indicated at Romans 15:18-22 as being the BUSYNESS of Paul in the proclaiming of the gospel in other places. He is especially reticent to take the gospel to places that have already been reached (verse 15:20), and that is the reason he has delayed his journey to Rome. This seems then, to be a conscious choice by Paul in the routine of his ministry, although he is quick to indicate reliance on the will of God as at verse 15:32, “so that I many come to you in joy BY the will of God.”
He thus, does not divorce his decisions from what he perceives to be the guidance of God.
As zealous as this seems, it is not a truly reliable statement, as WE look back through history and observe Paul’s inconsistency.
Later, Paul ignores the clear guidance of God, “not to go ot Jerusalem.” and pursues his own desire (Acts 21:4). However, God will use even this rebellion of Paul to actually fulfill his desire to get to Rome (Acts 21:10-11).
When it is God’s intent to USE someone, He will do it no matter what kind of person he is or what decisions he makes. Observe God’s intent with the Pharaoh of the Exodus at Ex. 9:16. “For this cause I have allowed you to remain in order to show you my power and to proclaim My name through all the earth.”
Paul gets out of fellowship with God by ignoring the leading of the Holy Spirit. He then makes it worse by attempting to offer an animal sacrifice (Acts 21:26-27). But God has a plan for him when he gets over his misguided zeal and is ready to listen again. And that plan just happens to be in Rome. That plan is realized at Acts 28:30-31 about 3 years later.
This letter was written about 58 AD and Paul experienced the two years of his first Roman imprisonment in 61-63 AD.

5. In order that: hina + subjunctive mood indicates the reason for Paul’s desire to visit the Roman believers.
6. I might have some fruit among you: both exhortation and evangelistic fruit.
8. Just as also among the rest of the Gentiles: First evangelistic production and then exhortation.
Acts 13.46-49; 14.21-22; 15.41; 16.4-5; 18.8-11; 19.8-10

Verses 14-17        The 3 “I ams” of service

V. 14 - The first “I am” is the OBLIGATION of service
1. I am under obligation: Literally this is, I am a debtor. It is eimi, as a present indicative plus the noun, opheiletAs. The present tense communicates not only Paul’s service obligation, but the obligation that every believer has as a member of the family of God and an ambassador for Christ.
This refers to the 3rd principle of service humility: We are here to serve others. 1 Cor. 10.32-33; Romans 13.8; 15.1-3; Gal. 5.13-14; phil. 2.1-5

    A. The 1st principle of service humility: Service requires relationship with God.
    B. The 2nd principle of service humility: We are here to glorify God  1 Cor. 10.31; Romans 14.8
    C. The third principle: we are here to serve others
    D. The 4th principle: Service requires fellowship   Rom. 8:8; Gal. 6:1)
    E. The 5th principle: Service requires preparation. 2 Tim. 2:15

2. Both to the:
    A. Greeks and barbarians: A barbarian is one outside the parameter of the Greek language. IE,
         the jurisdiction of the Roman empire. This indicates that there are no linguistic or social limits
         to Paul’s service responsibility.
    B. To the wise and unwise: the Greek is sophos and anoAtos.
        This indicates that there are no academic or philosophical limits.

Verse 15 The 2nd “I am” of service: the DESIRE of service.
This attitude recognizes the 2nd and 3rd principles of service humility.

1. Thus, for my part: Each believer can only speak for himself, but this reflects the general attitude that any believer should have toward others.

2. I am eager: kata + mA = according to me, or, as for me + the adjective, prothumos. The prefix, PRO, means before or out in front. The word, THUMOS, means passion. The combination indicates, passion out in front, which equals a strong desire and eagerness.
The intensity of Paul’s evangelistic zeal, which is not be limited to evangelism, but includes edification ministry as well, is fueled by his dedication to the law of LOVE. This dedication to OTHERS is expressed at 1 Corinthians 9:11-23 and 10:33 from a PRINCIPLE perspective. It is expressed from an emotional perspective at 1 Thessalonians 2:5-12.

3. To proclaim good news: The verb is, euangelidzomai, which is transliterated into English as EVANGELIZE, but means to announce good news.
It primarily refers to salvation information, but includes edification information as well.

4. Also to you who are at Rome: Since these addressed in this letter are already believers, the GOOD NEWS that Paul is talking about would be EDIFICATION information, but of course, not be limited to it.
When Paul finally does get to Rome, although as a prisoner of Caesar, he has a ministry of both as is indicated at Acts 28:30-31.


Verse 16 - the 3rd “I am” of service: the CONFIDENCE of service.
This attitude indicates the fulfillment of the 5th principle of service humility. Service Requires PREPARATION, and it is efficient preparation that produces the attitude of confidence; confidence in God, Himself, and confidence in the content of the message.

1. For I am not ashamed of the gospel: the verb is epiaischunomai, and indicates as is translated, to be ashamed or embarrassed either in proclaiming the gospel or being associated with it.
But when the believer KNOWS and understands the true nature of the word of God, his focus is taken off of SELF, which is where shame and embarrassment is centered, and instead, directed on GOD’s character and plan.
2. for it is the power of God: The present indicative of EIMI establishes the constant and continuous power of the word of God.
    A. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is “living and
energizing.” This means that by its SUPER NATURAL nature, it causes
things to happen in the soul of the hearer.
    B. It is further stated to be “an evaluator of the motivations of the heart.” This means that it
      EXPOSES the true nature of man and convicts, which further causes things to happen in the soul.
      1. Acts 2:37, “when they heard this they were pierced to the heart.”
      2. Acts 5:33, “But when they heard this, they were being cut through in their hearts.”
      3. Acts 7:54, “Now when they heard this, they were being cut through in their hearts.”

    C. At 1 Thes. 1:13, the Word of God “energizes itself” in the believers. This refers to both the
      SAVING work of the Word as well as its production of righteousness in the growing believer.

    D. At Romans 10:10 tells us that “faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of
    Christ.” This means that it is the content of the gospel message that produces faith as it convicts
    the soul of  “sin, righteousness, and judgment” through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:9-11).

3. unto salvation: The supernatural POWER of God’s word brings about salvation in the hearers as it exposes and convicts them of their NEED, and of God’s SOLUTION. But their is ONE condition. Although the WORD truly exposes and convicts, ONLY those who believe will be saved.

4. for everyone who believes: The verb, pisteuO occurs as a present active participle, to express the PRINCIPLE of how one is saved.
The salvation invitation is extended to everyone, but only those who CHOOSE to accept the provision will experience that provision.

5. to the Jew first and also to the Greek: This does not express a superiority distinction or a functional distinction. It simply indicates that the salvation message of Christ’s PRESENCE on the earth and His victory on the cross, is extended to HIS people first; the Jews.
The Messianic promise and presence came through them (John 4:22), and needed to be presented to them first (Acts 13:46).
It is a TIME factor ONLY as can be seen at Acts 3:26.
“For you first, God raised up His servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
However, even though Jesus was sent FIRST to the Jews, “the lost sheep of Israel” (Mat. 15:24), he ministered as well to Gentiles in various situations. Mat. 15:21-28; John 12:20-36

It was necessary for the promise of salvation to be offered to the Jewish nation first, because, as a national priesthood established by God, it was the official evangelistic agent to bring the Messianic promise to others (Ex. 19:5-6).
It was only AFTER the nation OFFICIALLY rejected the Messiah, that God took away from them the role of evangelistic agent and established a new agent through the church. Mat. 21:33-45.
Yet, this is only a temporary replacement, for God will once again restore the nation of Israel as the evangelistic agent when His plan for the Gentiles is completed. Romans 11:25-29
This begins immediately after the rapture of the church with the conversion of 144,000 Israelites, who will then function as BOND SERVANTS of God.   Revelation 7:1-8

Verse 17               Explains the POWER of the gospel by relating it to CONVICTION

1. For in it: the gospel
2. The righteousness of God is revealed: The verb occurs as a present passive indicative to express a continuous idea. The righteousness of God is CONSTANTLY being revealed through the gospel and through those who respond to the gospel.

This relates back to what Jesus taught about the convicting ministry of the Spirit at john 16:9-11.
He will convict the world of “sin, righteousness and judgment.”
The issue of righteousness is that man’s righteousness is exposed as inadequate and useless in relating to God. It is only God’s own righteousness that solves the sin problem of the human race.
The power of the gospel is that it exposes man’s righteousness and offers God’s righteousness to those who believe. This is developed by Paul in the rest of this letter. Romans 3:21-26; 2 Cor. 5:21
Isaiah 64:6, “all of our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.”
Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and are deficient of God’s glory.”

3. from faith to faith: Literally, “out from (ek) faith UNTO (eis) faith.” This little formula indicates that FAITH continues to be the coin of the realm for all Christian activity.
    A. The FIRST stage is when we are saved by faith and receive POSITIONAL righteousness,
         which is called JUSTIFICATION.
    B. The SECOND stage is after salvation. Here on earth we continue to live BY faith as we learn
         more and more about God’s character and plan and allow the Spirit through the word to
         produce within us EXPERIENTIAL righteousness.
        1. Gal. 2:20. “I have been crucified with Christ.” This is the STAGE ONE.
                            “And the life that we NOW live (STAGE TWO - after salvation) in the flesh
                              (here on earth), we live by continued faith in Christ.
        2. Gal. 5:5. As we live here on earth, we are living by faith as we wait IN EXPECTATION for
             the completion of our justification, which shall be realized in STAGE THREE, when we are
             face to face upon physical death. The third stage is when we are given our resurrection body.
             The first stage is the imputation of divine righteousness to our account at the moment of time
             that we trust in Christ as savior.
       3. Col. 2:6. In the same way (faith) that we received Christ the Lord (for salvation - STAGE
           ONE), so also are we to NOW (here on earth after salvation - STAGE TWO) live as
           Christians. It is still by faith.

4. As it is written: This is a reference to the Old Testament at Hab. 2:4
5. The righteous one shall live by faith. This is not referring to a salvation factor, but a way of life factor.
The prophet is contrasting TWO ways to live.
(1) to live according to your own sinful inclinations
OR
(2) to live by faith in the character and plan of God; His authority, viewpoint and policy.
The contrast is made with, arrogance, drunkenness, theft, oppression, murder, deception, and idolatry.

It is the believer who lives according to God’s moral standards who realizes that it is by FAITH that really pleases Him.

6. Paul is quoting this to explain the SECOND item here, UNTO FAITH.
The first item, “out from faith” is referring to salvation, but the second one refers to living the Christian life after salvation.

7. The writer of Hebrews at 10:32-39, quotes the verse to confirm the mechanics for living the Christian life; it is by faith. The ones who do not live by faith, come under the RUIN (destruction) of divine discipline (Heb. 12:4-11). The ones who do live by faith are “of those who are of faith to the possession of the soul” (Heb. 10:39). The possession that is mentioned is not talking about preserving salvation, but rather to the experience of fully living the abundant life. This experience is show cased by the Hall of Fame detailed in chapter 11.

8. However, at Galatians 3:11, Paul quotes Hab. 2:4 in a salvation context. But I suggest that this is done only to establish that FAITH is where it all begins by attaining salvation forgiveness. We are saved by faith not by works; we are PRESERVED by that ONE act of faith, and not by works.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6

Verses 18-32 The consequences of rejecting God’s revelation
V. 18
1. For: The explanatory GAR, is used to develop the consequences of NOT living by faith. That is, by not adjusting to God on HIS terms for salvation. God is JUST in judging whether this failure to have faith is at the point of God consciousness or the point of hearing the gospel.
And God is JUST in the WHEN and HOW he expresses His wrath.

2. The wrath of God: This is God’s perfect righteousness and justice expressing itself in judgment on members of the human race who choose to live contrary to the righteous standards of God.
This is not ETERNAL judgment that is in view, but judgment expressed here on earth as NATURAL consequences, and sometimes, APPLIED consequences for violating divine morality.

3. is revealed from heaven: the verb, apokaluptO as a present passive indicative shows us that this is an ONGOING expression of judgment.
It could be rendered, “is being revealed from heaven.”

4. Upon all ungodliness: The word asebeia refers to a condition of having no worship attitude toward God. It is rejection of God’s authority, viewpoint and policy because it shows no acknowledgment or respect of Him.
It indicates that the person either has no relationship with God, or is failing to express that relationship. In this context, it is referring to those who do not have a relationship with God because they have chosen to reject His revelation about Himself.
The word is a combination of sebO which means to bend the knee in respect or worship, and the prefix, “a”, which is a negative. Thus, it is one who has no reverence or worship toward God. But the translation, ungodliness, is not accurate.
This word also combines with the prefix, EU, which means good, and is consistently translated as godliness. This too is inaccurate for the issue in the word is not character reflection, but rather the attitude of reverence toward God. It should be translated as “good worship” or simply “divine reverence.” The reason that “godliness” is used is because in the New Testament, the object of this reverence is GOD. However, to reflect that factor, the translation should be, “divine reverence.” The term, “godliness” suggests God LIKENESS, as in character reflection. But someone can reverence God and not have consistent character reflection. It is best just to keep the reverence and worship idea in focus for the translation of this word group.
God’s wrath is expressed toward those who PRACTICE irreverence toward Him.
The NATURE and DEGREE of that irreverence will be developed.

5. and unrighteousness of men: the word, adikia indicates again, a negative factor with the prefix, “a”. The word, dikia, refers to God’s standards of morality, which He designed as the way of life for all members of the human race. The main result of asebeia (irreverence toward God) is a rejection of what is divinely RIGHT in human relations.
We learn later in Romans that there is a divine moral DESIGN built into the soul of every man, that he can either cultivate and function under, or reject and violate. Romans 2:14-15 and Ec. 7:29.
See Topics on MORALITY in Archive M

That NATURAL design is reflected in the last 6 of the ten commandments which prohibit -
(5) rebellion against parents
(6) murder
(7) adultery
(8) stealing
(9) false accusations
(10) coveting what belongs to someone else

Basically, it is doing NO HARM to another (Romans 13:8). This is a natural design in the soul that cultivates order, stability and freedom within society.
Of course, the sin nature is the NATURAL antagonist to fulfilling that design and usually only very rigid societal controls will limit the overt violation of those standards.
True character transformation into conformity to Christ’s righteousness can only come through spiritual growth.
See Topic: SPIRITUAL GROWTH

6. who hold down the truth in unrighteousness:
The word, hold down, is katechO, which means to restrain or suppress.
The CHOICE is from the HEART, the mentality of the soul. But because of the presence of the sin nature in the physical mentality genes (Romans 7:18; Psalm 51:5), and its influence and power, the CHARACTERISTIC attitude and expression of the heart is HARMFUL (evil) toward self and others.

This is determined by studying all that the Bible has to say about the sin nature; especially Romans 7:14-22.
Based on this, the New Testament writers use TWO terms to refer to the sin nature.
(1) THE sin, with the definite article and sin in the singular.
(2) THE flesh, SINCE the sin nature is located in the body (flesh) and not the soul.

Thus, Romans 6:12, “Therefore do not let THE sin (nature) reign in your mortal body with the result that you obey its lusts.”
And Romans 7:17, “So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but THE sin (nature) which indwells me (in my flesh).”
And Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit (lusts) against the flesh . . .”
And Colossians 2:23, “These are matters which . . . are of no value against the passion of THE flesh.”
And Hebrews 3:13, “. . . lest any of you become hardened by the deception of THE sin (nature).”
And 1 Peter 2:11, “I urge you . . . to abstain from the FLESHLY lusts which wage war against the soul.”

See Topic: The sin nature

In actuality, the heart, which is the mentality of the soul is NEUTRAL and can lean toward good or evil (harm). But the influence of the EVIL (harmful) sin nature is so strong that the heart is CHARACTERISTICALLY evil (harmful), and yet it is REALLY the sin nature that is this way.

Thus, Jeremiah 17:9, “the heart is more deceitful than anything, and is sick; who can understand it?”
And Genesis 8:21, “the inclination of man’s heart is harmful from his youth.”
And Genesis 6:5, “every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only harmful everyday.”
And Ec. 9:3, “the hearts of the sons of men are full of harm, and insanities are in their hearts all their life.”
And Mark 7:21, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the harmful (evil) thoughts . . .”

It is the CHOICE then of the heart under the influence of the sin nature, that rejects the revelation of God, whether it be the NATURAL revelation mentioned in this context, or more specific WRITTEN or VERBAL revelation communicated by man.
And it is the CHOICE of the heart that adopts and practices the behavior philosophies that are in opposition to God’s authority, viewpoint and policy.
Then through their CHOSEN immoral life style (unrighteousness), they prevent truth from having an influence in their soul and in the society where they reside. This is then, an issue for them personally as well as others whom they influence. The perfect example of this is seen with Sodom at Genesis 19.
The way they do this is explained in verses 22-25.

Verses 19-23 explain the details of their irreverence and unrighteousness.
V. 19 - Because (dioti)
1. That which may be known of God: This is THE plus gnostos in the singular and means, “the known thing” of God. But the singular is used for a general reference to what God has revealed about himself to the human race. This KNOWLEDGE is summed up by the two terms, “His eternal power and divine nature.”

2. is manifest in them: the verb IS, is eimi as a present indicative, to indicate a CONTINUOUS effect. With it is the adjective, phaneros, which means, visible, clear, plainly seen, evident.
Notice that this says IN them. The preposition EN, requires this understanding, rather than a “to them” idea.
The main issue here is a knowledge of God’s existence and basic nature.
There is a convicting influence produced in the soul of man through SEEING the awesomeness of the physical universe.

3. for God has showed it to them: Here we have the VERB form of “manifest,” (phaneroO). It is manifested WITHIN them because God Himself has manifested it TO them.

Verse 20 The mechanics of manifestation
1. For the invisible things of Him: that which cannot be PHYSICALLY perceived. That which is of a spiritual and divine nature.
2. From the creation of the world: this takes us back to the beginning and thus includes all mankind, without exception.

3. are clearly seen: the verb is kathoraO as a present passive indicative.
It means o perceive or to see, and is used only here in the New Testament.
This PERCEPTION factor is mental. Thus, what cannot be seen physically, can and IS perceived mentally THROUGH that which CAN be seen.
The word, clearly, is not necessary in the translation, for the contrast is established simply by “are seen.”

4. By being understood: this is a present passive participle in the instrumental case. The verb is noeO, which means to mentally perceive.
Thus, “by being mentally perceived” is a better translation.

5. through the created things: the noun is poiAma, as a neuter plural, and refers to the physical universe. At Psalm 19:1-3, it is the HEAVENS that communicate the existence and nature of God.
This appeals to NATURAL logic. The very nature and existence of the physical universe demands one conclusion; the existence of a Creator. Only through rationalization does one arrive at the opposite conclusion.
Rationalization through -
(1) scientific arrogance: theory and empiricism is more real than the logical conclusion that the universe leads me to.

(2) emotional arrogance: How and what I FEEL is more real than the logical conclusion that the universe leads me to.

6. that is, His eternal power and divinity:
The word for eternal is aidios and accurately describes the extent and duration of God’s power. In this case, the CREATIVE power of God is evidenced. Divinity is expressed by the word, theiotAs. It means divine nature or essence. Thus, the physical creation reveals not only the FACT of God’s existence AS GOD (divinity), but also reveals the awesomeness of His divine ABILITY.
This is the issue of GOD CONSCIOUSNESS.

7. so that they are without excuse: the present infinitive of eimi (to be) indicates the universal application to all members of the human race. There are no exceptions. The word, anapolgAtos, is an adjective that indicates full and total responsibility for their present status of being under divine condemnation. But the only way to “take responsibility” for themselves is to accept the revealed knowledge about God and then trust in His policy for attaining to spiritual life; faith in Christ.
But apart from that, there is no APOLOGY or EXCUSE that will give them any reprieve from divine judgment; either in time or in eternity. They have been given what they need and are accountable for failure to accept it.
--------------------
SUMMARY: God consciousness

God consciousness is when a person becomes aware of the existence of God. He may not know what to call him, but in his own thinking, he becomes aware of the existence of a superior and powerful being who orders and controls the world around him. There are several ways a person can be made aware of God, but perhaps the most obvious is through the existence and order of the physical universe
(Psalm 19:1-3; Rom. 1:19-20).
This is called the cosmological approach to awareness of God. Another way, the religiological approach, recognizes the very real possibility of the existence of God because of the prevalence of “god worshippers” within his society. And still a third way is called the ontological approach which accepts the existence of God because man’s soul conceives of such a being and because within the soul of man is a “feeling” or “need” that such a being must indeed exist.

The only time when mankind was “right” with God was in the garden of Eden before Adam’s sin of disobedience. It is at that time after Adam’s sin, that mankind lost any “connection” with nature and God’s presence. But that very nature is the thing that has always been a beacon of testimony to the existence and power of God.
Psalm 19:1 says that, “the heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”
This indeed provides a “knowledge” of God which must be addressed by every human soul which is exposed to it. Paul writes that because of this “testimony,” mankind is “without excuse” in regard to accountability to God. Romans 1:19-20, “Because what is known about God is evident among them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen by being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
Paul then describes this as “knowing God” in v. 21, “For even though they knew God. . .”

The validity of any interaction with God is established on God’s terms; terms which God has faithfully provided for mankind in the bible. Any attempt to “interact” with God apart from first dealing with the sin problem the way God demands for that problem to be dealt with, falls far short of spiritual reality.

This “knowledge” of God is not gospel information about entering into a spiritual relationship with Him, but its information that points to the existence of God and reminds man of his inner need for God. It is then at this point that each person must make a personal decision concerning this universal and “natural” revelation of God. He must decide whether to “honor him as God” or not. Paul continues at Rom. 1:21, “For even though they knew God, they did NOT honor Him as God or give thanks (express a recognition of God’s grace).”
When a person DOES express this honor-attitude toward God, it is then God’s responsibility to get to that person the specific gospel information they need to enter into a “saving” relationship with God, which is necessary because all mankind is born in sin and under spiritual death, separated from God.
That gospel information has always been basically the same since it was first given to Adam and Eve after they sinned. Ie, God would provide a savior who would defeat Satan and pay the just penalty for sin on behalf of all mankind. This is taught by understanding the meaning of Gen. 3:15 and the significance of the animal sacrifices which God instituted at Gen. 3:21 compared with Gen. 4:1-7.
The difference before and after the cross is simply the specifics of that salvation promise. Before the cross, one must trust in God’s promise of a coming savior. After the cross, one must trust in the fact that God kept that promise and provided the savior in the person of Jesus Christ.
However, if upon arriving at “God consciousness,” anyone decides not to honor him as “nature” logically dictates that He should be honored, then his soul will begin seeking a “replacement” to God. This is where idolatry and religion comes from. (True Christianity is not a religion; it is a personal relationship with God based on forgiveness of sins and the imputation of divine righteousness to that person. Religion, on the other hand, is man trying to “find” God or appease God or gods on man’s terms. Religion is always a work-based philosophy and always results in oppression and slavery.)

Again, Paul discusses this at Rom. 1:21-23, “. . .but they became empty in their reasonings and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and animals and insects.”
V. 25, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator.”

But no one can learn about JESUS without a “proclaimer” (Rom. 10:14-15). That proclaimer can be a book, a person, an audio, etc.
But it is NOT received “naturally,” nor does God “zap” someone with the information he needs to be “saved.”

All cultures have been exposed to the truth of the gospel at some point in their history (starting back from the time of Babel). As these individual societies moved further and further away from God’s message of salvation, they adopted idolatry to replace the “inner” need all men have to “relate” to God. Then as various individuals are raised in that society, each one must face the issue of God Consciousness personally.

If they reject the “revelation” of God as He is proclaimed in “the heavens” (the natural creation), then they continue in the idolatry of their culture (or even advance on it). In such situations, the “decision” toward God has already been made and God is under no obligation to provide the specifics of the gospel. But if any person “seeks for God” (Acts 17:24-27) after arriving at this consciousness, then God will SOMEHOW get him the gospel information he needs to trust in Christ. This is based on God’s character.
1. God’s love for all: John 3:16. Love is the attitude that seeks what is best for His creatures. He wants what is best for them, but will not force himself upon them.
2. God’s desire based on his love: 1 Tim. 2:4, “who desires all men to be saved.”
3. God’s righteousness and justice prevent Him from ever being unfair.
-----------------

Verse 21 The FAILURE that perpetuates the “no excuse” status
1. Because (dioti) even though they knew God:
The word for knew, is ginOskO, as an aorist active participle. The participle gives us a TIME factor; “having come to know” or “when they came to know.” The aorist tense expresses a specific POINT OF TIME that they reached this awareness. This is not a RELATIONSHIP knowledge, but according to the context, is referring specifically to the two factors mentioned in verse 20. This is the point of God consciousness explained above.
However, the following details relate the experiential results of rejecting this knowledge that occur progressively in one’s personal life and within society.

2. they did not glorify Him as God: The verb, doxadzO, means to recognize and accept the person of God. This is the required response when one becomes aware of the existence of God. With the NEGATIVE, it indicates that they made a decision AGAINST the divine revelation and against God.
The POSITIVE of giving glory to God is necessary before one can advance to where they will accept the actual gospel of salvation.
Accepting the GOSPEL involves THREE factors.
(1) Repentance toward God: This refers to a change of mind. It does not mean to change one’s life or to STOP doing something. It means to change the mind about one’s viewpoint toward God. It is a change from a negative disposition to a positive disposition. This constitutes a humility recognition of God as the Creator and Provider. It is expressed by the attitude of REVERENCE, which is indicated in the Bible by the word FEAR of the Lord, and indicates submission to the AUTHORITY of God.
This first factor is seen at:
Matthew 3:2, “repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Mark 1:15, “repent and believe the gospel”
Acts 20:21, “testifying . . . about repentance toward God and faith. . .”

(2) Glorify God: This means to recognize and embrace the Deity essence and power of God that also necessarily rejects one’s present belief system.
This is submission to the VIEWPOINT of God for salvation.

(3) Worship God: This is submission to the POLICY of God that extends rejection of one’s previous belief system to a total embracing of God’s system for salvation.
This corresponds with TRUST in Christ as Savior, for this is the ONLY policy for entrance into a salvation relationship with God.
To PROPERLY worship God, one must embrace Jesus Christ as God’s appointed Savior.
This issue of salvation is seen at Psalm 2:10-12, where the invitation is extended to the rebellious nations of the world.
Verse 10: show discernment; have wisdom. This corresponds with a
change of mind and giving of GLORY, which is what WISDOM would produce.
Verse 11: Worship Yahweh with REVERENCE (fear), which is the humility
attitude that accepts Divine authority, viewpoint and policy for
salvation.
Verse 12: Worship the Son. Actually, KISS the Son, but the idea is a
spiritually intimate acceptance of the Son as God’s appointed Savior.

The gospel invitation that is proclaimed during the Day of the Lord judgments includes these THREE factors. At Rev. 14:7, the message is -
(1) fear God: This refers to the humility recognition of the existence of God and a desire to submit to His authority, viewpoint and policy.
(2) and give Him glory: This is the acknowledgment of His power and divinity that rejects one’s previous belief system.
(3) and worship Him: Worship is the acceptance of His policy for attaining spiritual life reality. It is initiated by trusting in Jesus as the Messiah-Savior. Without that acceptance, EVERYTHING else expressed toward God is useless and unfruitful. According to Romans 8:8, “they that are in the flesh (the unbeliever) cannot please God.”

In Romans one, Paul is discussing the failure to “fear God and give Him glory,” and the consequences of this failure.

3. neither were thankful: This corresponds with “fear God” at Revelation 14:7 and Acts 10:35. This factor PRECEDES “giving God glory.” The issue here is that (1) they did not give God glory NOR or NOT EVEN (2) did they reverence God.
Fearing God is the humility attitude of recognizing that God has the authority over mankind. Giving God the glory extends that humility to a recognition that God has authority to set the policy for life and worship.

The giving of thanks precedes giving God glory and is the expression of humility that constitutes being POSITIVE to God upon the occasion of God Consciousness. It is at this time that God’s character and plan places the self-imposed burden upon Him to bring the gospel to the positive person.
However, just as at Acts 10:35, this attitude of REVERENCE (being thankful), or giving glory and even “doing good,” does not SAVE the person from sin, nor give him spiritual life (Acts 10:35 with 11:14).

However, in this case, the general indictment is on those who have not expressed POSITIVE volition at God consciousness. Therefore, instead of becoming the object of a special gospel message, their negative attitude escalates and leads to the darkening of the soul.

4. But they became empty in their thought patterns: the conjunction, alla, is used to indicate the strong contrast between the POSITIVE response and the consequences of the NEGATIVE response.
The verb, mataioO, mans to be empty or useless. It occurs as an aorist passive indicative to indicate the PASSIVE effect that results from negative volition toward God’s natural revelation.
Thought patterns is the noun, dialogismos, which means calculation, reasoning, logic, or simply, THOUGHT PATTERNS. Their thought patterns became occupied with EMPTINESS; anything that is opposite to divine viewpoint.
In essence, the PERSONAL logic of the person fabricates and adopts HIS OWN REALITY; a PSEUDO REALITY that satisfies his scientific and/or emotional arrogance.

This pseudo reality is called FOOLISHNESS, which is described by the term foolish heart. When the soul rejects divine truth in any format, it begins to THINK according to the standards of creature independence and embraces a FOOLISH PSEUDO REALITY. This foolishness then produces a darkness (blindness) of the soul and leads to
(1) moral arrogance: Personal standards take priority over the viewpoint and policy of God for proper interaction between humans.
and
(2) religious arrogance: Personal standards take priority over the viewpoint and policy of God for proper worship activity.

5. and their foolish heart became darkened: The verb for darkened, is skotidzO as an aorist passive indicative, that further shows these things as happening TO the soul. The passive voice of the verb receives the action, that is, these are things that are CAUSED to happen because of the initial expression of negative volition toward God’s truth.
The foolish heart is, asunetos, which means, unenlightened, ignorant and foolish. They are IGNORANT because they have rejected divine viewpoint standards. They are FOOLISH because they now begin to replace those standards with DARKNESS viewpoint. This is viewpoint that is opposite to and contrary to the moral and spiritual standards of God’s viewpoint; the LIGHT SYSTEM.

    A. Their heart is called FOOLISH because the heart is what rejects divine viewpoint.
        Volition functions FROM the heart; the mentality of the soul.
    B. After the heart becomes foolish, by rejecting divine viewpoint, then their base of logic (the
        dialogismos - thought patterns) becomes distorted and neutralized by EMPTINESS (human
         and/or satanic viewpoint).
    C. In the sphere of that emptiness or VACUUM, they fabricate a PSEUDO REALITY that
         satisfies their own scientific and emotional arrogance,
    D. The result of this is that the heart becomes darkened. It becomes BLACKED OUT or scarred
         over; blurred, clouded, insensitive and blind. Basically, a total loss of discernment, because they
         have divorced themselves from TRUE reality.
    E. This DARKNESS condition is described at Ephesians 4:18 as, “being darkened in the
         understanding” and at verse 19 as “having become scarred.”
    F. This “scarred” condition then results in application of one’s PSEUDO REALITY into every
         area of life and produces assertions of false, illogical concepts and theories, and the attendant
         behavior patterns in two categories.
        (1) religious arrogance
           The expression of religious arrogance leads to idolatry; creating a substitute god.

        (2) moral arrogance
        The expression of moral arrogance is called “sensuality for the expression of all uncleanness with
         greediness,” at Ephesians 4:19. And here, at verse 24, “to impurity in the sphere of the lusts of
         their hearts,” and at verse 26 as “dishonorable passions.”

SEE: Ephesians 4:17-19

Verse 22     THE EXPRESSION OF THE DARKENED SOUL
1. Asserting themselves to be wise:
The word for assert is phasko as a present active participle. The present participle indicates an established and constant attitude of arrogant presumption. It is the presumption of wisdom. The adjective, sophos, in this case refers to a self-proclaimed wisdom.
In actuality, however, their reality is quite the opposite.

2. they became fools: The verb is morainO as an aorist passive indicative.
This verb indicates a total deficiency of any common sense; a common sense, though, that is defined by divine viewpoint and not man’s. It is a common sense that comes from the NATURAL moral design that is in the soul. The verb, then, indicates that they are now functioning in total opposition to that natural moral design and have established their own human viewpoint as the standard for relating to other people and the world around them.
And according to that human viewpoint, they reject the reality of THE ONE TRUE GOD, and replace HIM with other religious ideas. These substitute ideas range from worshipping the heavenly bodies, to animals, to man in general, or even to SELF. Paul focuses on idolatry in general and the various aberrant behavior that subsequently results.

Verse 23       One’s PSEUDO REALITY leads to RELIGIOUS ARROGANCE
                      and produces SUBSTITUTES FOR GOD
1. And exchanged: The Greek word, allassO, as an aorist active indicative, describes the characteristic historical reversion into idolatry. Once again, since they have rejected truth, the soul has become a VACUUM that sucks in replacement viewpoint. Since there is a NATURAL NEED for the soul to relate to a deity IDEA, the replacement viewpoint fulfills that need, and finds a substitute deity or deities.

2. the glory of the incorruptible God:
This is what is revealed through the physical creation. They have PERCEIVED His eternal power and divine nature, but having now rejected that revelation, they TRANSFER the deity-idea into something else.
The word incorruptible is aphthartos, and means unable to rot or be diminished. God does not and CANNOT diminish or change, but they have replaced Him with something that can and does diminish, change, and eventually will rot away.

3. into an image of the appearance:
The word image, is homoiOma, and means, copy or likeness.
The word appearance is eikOn, and refers to an outward form.
Thus, “a copy of the appearance of” is more precise, for that is exactly what an idol is.

4. of corruptible (creatures): In stark contrast with God whose GLORY, cannot diminish, idolatry embraces that which is inferior in both power and in essence. The word, phthartos, refers to that which is mortal and does diminish and rot.
The list of these substitute images includes, man, birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. This probably refers to insects, as many were idolized in the manner spoken of in this passage; the most common one perhaps being the scarab beetle of Egypt.

The worship of idols is the worship of the demon agent(s) behind each specific belief system. Paul tells us at 1 Corinthians 10:20 that, “the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God.”
And the result is a wide variety of deviant behavior; everything from sexual immorality to religious asceticism. Rom. 1:26-27; Col. 2:8, 20-23
When the soul becomes darkened, it becomes enslaved to the distortions from the sin nature that seeks to replace God with something else; anything from money, sex, food, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, pleasure, power - or simply NOTHING, which is asceticism.
As already noted, this CONDITION and way of life is not limited to the unbeliever, but the believer can likewise imitate any one of these areas of indulgence and be similarly enslaved.
The only thing that can offset this soul slavery is response to truth; whether it be the gospel for the unbeliever, or the issues of fellowship and growth for the believer.

Verse 24, now explains HOW the wrath of God is manifested in the world.
It is through “turning over” the offenders to the condition they are in and the consequences of the life style they have chosen.
1. Therefore, God also gave them up: The verb is paradidomi as an aorist active indicative, which refers to the POINT OF TIME that someone reaches his condition of a darkened soul. The verb means to give over, hand over.
God “handed them over” to something or “turned them over” to something.

2. to uncleanness: The word is akatharsia and refers to anything that is contrary to HEALTHY attitudes and living. It is anything that is contrary to the DESIGN that God put into place to govern human interactions.
In this context, the specific focus is on homosexuality, but it is not limited to that. It is the same word and same subject mentioned at Ephesians 4:19, “for the practice of every kind of akatharsia in the sphere of greediness (seeking self pleasure).” This word, pleonexzia (greediness) corresponds with LUSTS here at Romans one.

3. in the sphere of the lusts of their hearts: This is the locative case of epithumia, and should be rendered “in the sphere of.” It refers to the influence and authority of the sin nature dictating to and controlling the mentality of the soul; the heart, for the fulfillment of self pleasure.
As discussed above, the LUSTS are actually OF and FROM the sin nature but dictate to the heart in such a way that when the volition of the heart accepts those lusts, it can then be said that they are OF the heart.

4. with the result that their bodies are dishonored among them:
This is an awkward infinitive construction. The idea here is one of RESULT rather than purpose. In other words, God has turned them over to their lusts WITH THE RESULT that those lusts cause a dishonoring of their bodies.
God has NOT turned them over SO THAT the bodies might be dishonored.
The dishonoring is a RESULT rather than the INTENT of God’s action.
God has turned them over to their lusts and they live the way they want to.
And the result of that is that they suffer the consequences of both physical and mental misery.

The Greek verb, atimadzO, means as translated, to bring dishonor to something; to remove the natural VALUE of something. The dishonoring of their bodies refers to the practice of that which is NOT natural according to God’s design. It rejects the natural, proper and RIGHT function of the body and embraces that which is UNNATURAL and therefore dishonoring, and will result in much physical and mental misery.

The principle is that anything apart from God’s design will lead only to physical and mental misery. God turned them over to this principle. This is the manifestation of God’s wrath in this context; the judgment that is revealed from heaven.
God provides happiness and blessing and contentment based on conformity to His design. Apart from HIS design one comes under the principle of misery and frustration.
For the unbeliever, it is from the NATURAL law of the principles involved.
Although sometimes God will DIRECTLY physically judge a person or society.
For the believer, it is from both principles and DIRECT divine discipline.

People in the world today are miserable, unhappy, frustrated and hopelessly without God. But it is because they have chosen it that way. God has given everyone the chance they need to accept His gracious provisions of eternal life.

Verse 25         Repetition of the pattern for emphasis and amplification
THE PATTERN:
    A. RELIGIOUS ARROGANCE leads to a SUBSTITUTE GOD or gods (idolatry).
    B. IDOLATRY leads to MORAL ARROGANCE and IMMORALITY

Part One of the Pattern:  RELIGIOUS ARROGANCE leads to idolatry

1. Such ones exchanged the truth of God for the lie:
This verse does not begin with a FOR (as with the NASB). Better is the NIV, (They). It is the pronoun, hostis, and can be rendered here as either WHO, or SUCH ONES. However, since this begins a new and separate clause, SUCH ONES is to be preferred.
The word for exchange, is metallassO, as an aorist active indicative, which continues the simple narrative of what has happened within the human race throughout its history. This verb describes the SUBSTITUTION that was already mentioned in verse 23.
Here TRUTH is contrasted with THE lie (the definite article is present), which refers to THE specific rejection of God’s GLORY and replacing it with something that has no glory, but instead is laughably inferior to God, “worshipping and serving the creature.”

2. and worshipped and served the creature:
Worship (sebadzomai) refers to the attitude of the idolater that HONORS the false god.
Serve (latreuO) refers to the overt ritual and activities that the idolatrous religion demands of its followers.

3. instead of the Creator, who is the object of praise forever; amen:
The adjective, eulogAtos, means to be spoken well of or about. It comes form the verb, eulogeO, does not mean to bless or blessed. It is the combination of the prefix, eu, which means good, and the verb, logeO, which means to speak. Together it means to speak good about someone or to someone. When it is used for what God does, it is usually the idea of speaking good FOR or ABOUT someone, although sometimes, PRAISE can be the focus. But when used of others FOR God, then it is always the idea of speaking well ABOUT, or praise.

God cannot be BLESSED by humans. God is INHERENTLY blessed; happy, content and fulfilled. The God-worshippers RECOGNIZE that God is the only one who is truly worthy of praise, and should so honor Him.

Verse 26         Part two of the Pattern - immorality
IDOLATRY and MORAL ARROGANCE leads to rejection of what is NATURAL

1. Because of this God turned them over to dishonorable passions:
The verb, paradidomi, is repeated to amplify the expression of God’s wrath.
The nature of the immorality is also amplified.
The adjective, atimia, means that which is dishonorable. In this case, it refers to social activity that is opposite to the divine design. It is contrary to what is NATURAL and HONORABLE.
The activity in view is called, passions. The word, pathA, indicates intense emotional and physical feelings. Passion is not a bad word, in and of itself, but when coupled with the lusts of the sin nature, they are dishonorable.
Paul focuses on the dishonorable and aberrant behavior of homosexuality
since it was very common in the idolatrous cults of the day.

2. Female Homosexuality
The women: It is interesting that Paul uses the Greek word for FEMALE, rather than for woman (gunA). He uses, thAlus, which stresses the physical form and function.
They exchanged the NATURAL design for that which is against nature.
The word for natural is pusikos, and refers to the CREATED design for the function of sex in the human race, which is one man and one woman.
The word, USE, is crAsis, and indicates a FUNCTION. Thus we have the natural function of the woman which was designed by God.
The word for unnatural, is the preposition, para with the noun, phusis.
Para, means beside or up against, depending on context. Here the idea is that of difference and conflict. Thus, “against nature” or “unnatural.”
Since God is the CREATOR, He knows what is best. It is His wisdom that has established the NATURAL FUNCTION for men and women. To violate that design is to rebel against the Creator and to place oneself under a COUNTER-LAW that causes both soul and physical harm to the violators.

Verse 27       Male Homosexuality
1. And in like manner, the males also: Paul uses arsAn which like thAlus focuses on the physical bodies and the expressions of sex in relation to those bodies.
2. abandoning the natural function of the female:
The verb, abandon, is a an aorist active participle that expresses the attitude and action of REJECTING the divine design for human sexuality.
The repeat of psusikos crAsis indicates that God has a specific design for human sexuality which provides the basis for TRUE human happiness in this area. To ABANDON the divine design rejects a NATURAL law and puts one under a COUNTER-LAW that causes both soul and physical harm.

3. were sexually inflamed in their lust for one another: This states specifically that UN-natural sexual activity is in view. The verb, ekkaiO, is used only here in the New Testament, and indicates sexual heat. The noun, lust, is orexzis, and is also used only here.
Josephus uses this noun for the strong sexual lust of Amnon who raped his sister. (Antiquities of the Jews, 8.1).
4. male with male: arsAn with arsAn once again focuses on the physical.
5. expressing outwardly the shameless deed: The verb is a present middle participle of katergadzomai, and means to express something from the INSIDE to the OUTSIDE. It is commonly used to express the idea of living out something that is in the soul, or something that is otherwise invisible. At Philip. 2:12, “work out your own salvation,” means to live to the outside the reality of your salvation which you possess.
Here, they are DOING what is in the soul. They are living to the outside the UNNATURAL attitude and character that they have developed because of the rejection of divine truth, and the adoption of their own PSEUDO REALITY for human living.
The shameless deed is THE aschAmosunA, and means something that is opposite and contrary to what is DESIGNED; what is of proper form. Since it is contrary to what is of proper form, it is indecent and disgraceful. In English we use the word shameless to indicate this idea. They have NO SHAME, no guilt or conviction as to the true nature of their unnatural behavior.

6. and receiving in themselves the penalty which is necessarily consequent for their error:
The noun, penalty, is antimisthia, and means a negative reward, thus penalty.
It is followed by a relative pronoun, WHICH IS, and the verb, dei. This verb means to be necessary. It is something that MUST take place. In this case, it is something that MUST OCCUR as a consequence of action that violates an established spiritual or moral LAW. When ABSOLUTE laws are broken there are NECESSARY CONSEQUENCES.
The word error, is planA, and in the New Testament, means to wander from truth. Thus, deception and error are common translations.
Both ideas express the deviant activity that is described here.
It is ERROR because it is contrary to the truth.
It is DECEPTION because it comes from the religious and moral arrogance which is based on one’s PSEUDO REALITY that he has fabricated as a result of rejecting truth.
The NECESSARY CONSEQUENCES include the personal soul slavery; the physical diseases; and the sometimes DIRECT judgment from God, as in the case of Sodom and Gommorah.

See Topic: Homosexuality

Verse 28-32
The GENERAL and CHARACTERISTIC attitudes and actions of the spiritual rebel.
Verse 28
1. And just as they did not approve:
The verb is dokimadzO and means to approve of something after evaluation. With the negative (not), it indicates that they had perceived and evaluated the facts of divine revelation in the natural creation, and had DISAPPROVED of those facts which resulted in rejection of God’s essence and power.
2. to hold onto THE God in the sphere of full knowledge:
The verb is echO and means to possess or hold onto something.
They could find nothing of God’s revelation about Himself to personally APPROVE of, so they did not approve to hold onto Him in the sphere of the knowledge of His revelation.
The noun epignOsis occurs to indicate knowledge that goes beyond the simple facts of perception, but is accepted and embraced. The translation, FULL KNOWLEDGE should be consistently used and not TRUE knowledge. It is not talking about what is TRUE in contrast to what is false, but what is FULLER than simple academics or natural perception.
These CHOSE not to hold onto God and the full knowledge that such acceptance would have brought to them.
Because of that, they fabricate their own FALSE reality and express both RELIGIOUS and MORAL arrogance. This leads to IDOLATRY and IMMORALITY.
God’s part at this point is simply to TURN THEM OVER to a disapproved mind that thinks and does the things that are not PROPER.

3. God turned them over to a disapproved mind:
The same verb is repeated, paradidomi, and indicates that God basically, “lets go” and allows the natural results of their adopted system of PSEUDO REALITY to be expressed.
The DISAPPROVED mind is the adjective form of the verb we saw above, dokimadzO. It is adokimos and means something that is NOT approved.
In this case, it is God who has expressed HIS disapproval. He has examined their MIND (nous) and found them deficient, and thus turns them over to the CHARACTER and ACTIONS that come from that mind, as well as the natural consequences of their chosen pathway.
The things that are not proper is the participle of kathAkO, which means to be according to an established FORM or PATTERN or DESIGN. The ESTABLISHED form is what God has designed for the proper function of the human race.
The NOT indicates contrary to and opposite to the things that are PROPER.
The list that is then given shows us attitudes and actions that are contrary to the divinely established DESIGN.

Verse 29
1. being filled: This is a perfect passive participle of plAroO, and indicates being filled up to the brim and overflowing. Thus, the word expresses a total saturation idea.
The perfect tense refers to something that has occurred in the past and its results continue on indefinitely. We thus see the idea that a SATURATION of SINFULNESS has become that which CHARACTERIZES these people in everything they do.
ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is the overall GENERAL description of what follows.
It picks up from verse 18, where the general indictment is against the unrighteousness of men.
It is pas adikia. It is that which is contrary to God’s standards of RIGHTEOUSNESS or WHAT IS RIGHT.
Everything that follows is UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

2. But first we have THREE general categories of unrighteousness.
A. ponAria (malignity): This word focuses on the CHARACTER of doing HARM, which seeks to influence and dominate others. The adjective, ponAros, refers to an INFECTIOUS, “conquering” type of evil. It is difficult to find one English word that describes this idea. Malignity fits best. Webster defines this as, “having an evil influence, wishing evil, very harmful.”
This then, is the MENTAL ATTITUDE of wickedness.

B. pleonexzia (covetousness): this word describes a passion for material things, which frantically pursues happiness through the possession of THINGS, even and especially, things that belong to others.

C. kakia (malice): the focus here is on OVERT wickedness. The DOING of anything and everything to AFFLICT others maliciously. Webster defines malice as “active ill will.”
At James 1:21, it is seen as an “overflow of malice.”
At 1 Peter 2:16, we are exhorted not to use our freedom as a covering for malice, but use it as bondservants of God.

3. Then the specifics are introduced by FULL OF, which is the adjective, mestos, and functions as a natural break to introduce a list of several items that fall under one or more of the just mentioned three categories.
Godet wants to break this long list into 3 subsections (Romans, pp. 110-111), but I see no NATURAL indication for that as there is between the first and second groupings. It is best to simply see now, a lengthy list of evil (harmful) expressions that emanate from one or more of the three categories that precede the list.
Of course, not everyone does all of these things, but the list gives us in general the aberrations of character and behavior that result from rejecting God.

1. phthonos: Envy, falls under category Covetousness
2. phonos: Murder, falls under all three categories
3. eris: discord, strife, quarrels - falls under all three
4. dolos: deceit, treachery, unfaithfulness (mental attitude hypocrisy)
Falls under categories one and two.
5. kakoAtheia: Malignant suspicions. While occurring several times in the Maccabbees and the classics, we find it only here in the New Testament. Trench provides perhaps the most detailed analysis of the word, but still leaves us without a good English equivalent. He concludes it to be, "that peculiar form of evil which manifests itself in a malignant interpretation of the actions of others, a constant attribution of them to the worst imaginable motives," (Synonyms of the New Testament, page 37). It means to ever suspect and see evil in others; to think the worst of others.  Thus, the term malignant suspicions or even malignant cynicism.

6. psithuristAs: gossipers. The word means a whisperer. Private maligning.

Verse 30

1. katalalos: slanderers. Public maligning.
2. theostugAs: God haters. Antagonism toward any idea of religion.
3. hubristAs: insolent, boldly disrespectful and critical of others.
4. huperAphanos: arrogant. Overt rejection of established authority.
5. aladzOn: boastful. This one boasts of qualifications that are not true.
6. epheuretAs kakos: inventors of evil. Ones who continually plan and look for occasions to bring evil on others.
7. goneusis apeithis: disobedient to parents. Total rejection of parental authority.

Verse 31
1. asunetos: foolish. As above in verse 21, foolish indicates the deficiency of divine viewpoint, and the consequent inability to have a proper perception of reality.
2. asunthetos: untrustworthy, undependable, faithless.
3. astorgos: without natural affection. Unable to express the natural affections within normal human relationships.
4. aneleAmon: Unmerciful. These are unconcerned about the needs and sufferings of others.

Verse 32
THE SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN and
indifference to the wages of sin

1. Who knowing the ordinance of God:
There is no AND here as in several translations.
It is the relative pronoun, hostis; “such ones who.”
The word, ordinance, is dikaiOma, and refers to the righteous standards that God has designed for the orderly and MORAL function of the human race. It is also the basis for establishing the general sinfulness and depravity of the human race.
Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.”

Knowing is the aorist active participle of epiginOskO, and refers to an awareness of the righteous standard of God. This awareness is FIRST from the natural moral design in the soul.
Romans 2:14-15, “they do by nature the things of the law,” and “show the works of the law written in their hearts.”
Ecclesiastes 7:29, “God has created man UPRIGHT.”

It is then confirmed through the teachings of society and the affirmation made by others.

This KNOWING also refers to an awareness of the divine indictment on the human race for violation of that righteous standard, that places all under the authority of spiritual death.

2. That: hoti - introduces the fact that they not only know the RIGHTEOUS STANDARD, but they also know that violation of that standard rightly deserves spiritual death.
3. those who do such things are worthy of death: the verb prassO as a present active participle embraces all the sins listed - for ONE and ALL place man under the indictment from God’s justice.
Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin is death.”

The verb, prassO, does NOT mean to practice. It occurs without distinction from poieO, which also means TO DO.

4. not only DO the same thing: Here, the verb is poieO.
So many commentators try to make a distinction between prassO and poieO, but to no avail. It just does not bear with close examination, whether here or in the book of 1 John.
What then is the significance in using the two words?
The verb, prassO, is used to speak of the PRINCIPLE of violation.
The verb, poieO, is used to speak of the ACTUAL violation.
“Those who do such things” is stating the principle of violation.
“Not only DO the same,” is stating the specific ACT of violation.
You see, the THEY of verse 32 is the SAME they in view back at verse 18.

5. but approvingly agree with those who do them:
The verb here is suneudokeo. It means -
to think: dokeo
good: eu
along with someone: sun

Thus, to approvingly agree with.
Now, once again, the THEY is the same they of verse 18 and all throughout the passage. The “ones who do such things” refers to the principle.
However, it then becomes an agreement among themselves, that they are acceptant of one another’s behavior and are totally indifferent to the threat of divine retribution.

Paul has gone to great lengths to establish the general sinfulness of the human race.
Verse 20
With the result that THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.

He will continue to amplify this in chapters 2 and 3.
In chapter two, Paul immediately makes application to EVERYONE and espcially to that category of people who JUDGE others as being deficient and unacceptable to God.
“Therefore, you who judge another are WITHOUT EXCUSE.”
 

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