Nothing. It is God who passed judgment on the pagan world. I am just presenting you with Bible truth.
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Nothing. It is God who passed judgment on the pagan world. I am just presenting you with Bible truth.
But this section is about pride, not hypocrisy. Should we feel superior to others (especially those outside of God's people when they fail) when we KNOW the universality of sin?Im hearing that one has no excuse when they judge what is wrong or evil in others…and condemn it. therefore by their own judgement and condemnation upon others, they acknowledge it as wrong or evil. But then turn around and do the same wrong or evil. To me not having an excuse is that by their own judgment one someone other than themselves they fully acknowledge what is wrong and evil; giving them no excuse to claim ignorance to what is wrong or evil.
That is a hard question. Maybe Mr. E can help with it. I’m struggling with your question. Quoting these again, considering what they say myself.But this section is about pride, not hypocrisy. Should we feel superior to others (especially those outside of God's people when they fail) when we KNOW the universality of sin?
I guess the biggest thing that stood out was it being said it is only about pagans making excuse to not believe. That isn’t what I hear but twice “they know” …they clearly know in acknowledging to know by condemning others of what is right or wrong, as teachers…not “teachers” saying they are atheist but “teachers” of knowing, judges of what is right and wrong …fully knowing those who do such things lead to death …But this section is about pride, not hypocrisy. Should we feel superior to others (especially those outside of God's people when they fail) when we KNOW the universality of sin?
Maybe the answer is in, who it was in that age that knew the ordinances of God?I guess the biggest thing that stood out was it being said it is only about pagans making excuse to not believe. That isn’t what I hear but twice “they know” …they clearly know in acknowledging to know by condemning others of what is right or wrong, as teachers…not “teachers” saying they are atheist but “teachers” of knowing, judges of what is right and wrong …fully knowing those who do such things lead to death …
“they are without excuse” brings up
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.
Does He not say several times “they know” 1)in correcting others but doing what they claim needs correction? 2) they know those things are worthy of death. How similar is James 4:17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin. (Having no more excuse) And Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Just considering it myself, what is to have no excuse.
Do see it was written to the Romans. But to me that doesn’t change what His attributes are, the two natures seen from Genesis to Revelation. As in Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. [8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.Maybe the answer is in, who it was in that age that knew the ordinances of God?
"is revealed" As the gospel is a revealed truth (Rom. 1:17), so too, the wrath of God! Neither is an act of human discovery or logic.Who are they? In “they are without excuse? As it goes on, it says the “they” are those who know His attributes but practice exchange his attributes for an image…not only doing the attributes that lead to death but approving of those who do them by what themselves do?
Are you suggesting His attributes are clearly seen having been made manifest? What are His attributes?"is revealed" As the gospel is a revealed truth (Rom. 1:17), so too, the wrath of God! Neither is an act of human discovery or logic.
"who suppress the truth" This referred to human willful rejection, not ignorance (cf. Rom. 1:21,32; John 3:17-21). This phrase can mean
they know the truth but reject it
their lifestyle shows they reject the truth
their lives and/or words cause others not to know and receive the truth
1:19 "that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them" All humans know something of God from creation (cf. Rom. 1:20 and Ps. 19:1-6 through nature). In theology this is called "natural revelation." It is not complete, but it is the basis of God's holding responsible those who have never been exposed to God's "special revelation" in Scripture (cf. Ps. 19:7-14; see notes online) or, ultimately, in Jesus (cf. John 1:14-18; Col. 1:15; 2:9; Heb. 1:1-3).
The term "know" was used in two senses in the NT:
its OT sense of intimate personal relationship (cf. Gen. 4:1; Jer. 1:5)
its Greek sense of facts about a subject (cf. Rom. 1:21)
The gospel is both a Person to be welcomed and a message about that Person to be received and believed! In this verse it was used only in the sense of #2.
1:20 This verse mentions three aspects of God.
His invisible attributes (His character, cf. Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:27)
His eternal power (seen in natural creation, cf. Ps. 19:1-6)
His divine nature (seen in His acts and motives of creation, cf. Genesis 1-2)
"for since the creation of the world" The PREPOSITION apo is used in a temporal sense. A similar phrase is found in Mark 10:6; 13:19; 2 Pet. 3:4. The invisible God is now seen in
physical creation (this verse)
Scripture (Ps. 19, 119)
ultimately in Jesus (cf. John 14:9)
"divine nature" From Greek literature theiotēs could be translated "divine majesty." This is seen supremely in Jesus. He uniquely bears the divine image (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4; Heb. 1:3). He is God's full revelation in human form (Col. 1:19; 2:9). The wonderful truth of the gospel is that fallen mankind, through faith in Christ, will share Christlikeness (cf. Heb. 12:10; 1 John 3:2). The image of God in humanity (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) has been restored (theios, cf. 2 Pet. 1:3-4)!
NASB "have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made"
NKJV "are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made"
NRSV "have been understood and seen through the things he has made"
TEV "have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made"
NJB "have been clearly seen by the mind's understanding of created things"
REB "have been visible to the eye of reason, in the things he has made"
Peshitta "have been clearly seen and understood by his creation"
The combination of noeō (cf. Matt. 15:17) and kathoraō (both PRESENT PASSIVE) implies a true perception. God has written two books: (1) nature (cf. Ps. 19:1-6) and (2) Scripture (cf. Ps. 19:7-14). They do not contradict each other. They are both capable of human understanding and demand a response (cf. Wisdom 13:1-9).
"so that they are without excuse" This is literally "no legal defense."
This Greek term (a plus apologeomai) is used only here and in Rom. 2:1 in the NT. Remember the theological purpose of Rom. 1:18-3:20 is to show the spiritual lostness of all mankind. Humans are responsible for the knowledge they do have. God holds humans responsible only for that which they know or could know (cf. Rom. 4:15; 5:13).
1:21 "for even though they knew God" Humans are not progressing religiously. They are progressively evil (cf. Gen. 6:5-7,11-13). Since Genesis 3 humanity has been going downhill. The darkness is increasing!
"they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks" This is the tragedy of pagan idolatry in Rom. 1:23, 24 (cf. Jer. 2:9-13). Believers "glorify" God by Christlike living (cf. Matt. 5:16; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Phil. 1:20; 1 Pet. 4:11). YHWH wants a people who reflect/reveal His character to a fallen, blind world!
Who are the "they?" All humans in a fallen, world-at present.
αὐτοὺς
Transliteration: autous
Morphology: PPro-AM3P
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's no.: G846 (αὐτός)
Meaning: He, she, it, they, them, same.
ἀναπολογήτους
Transliteration: anapologētous
Morphology: Adj-AMP
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's no.: G379 (ἀναπολόγητος)
Meaning: Without (ground of) defense, indefensible, inexcusable.
5) "So that they are without excuse," (eis to einai autous anapologetous) "So that they are without (above occasion for) an excuse," the "they" refers to Jews, Gentiles, Grecians, and barbarians, wise and unwise, the cultured and profane are without an excuse for a knowledge of God, sin, righteousness, wrath, and offered mercy and salvation, as revealed to Adam and Eve, to Noah, and to Lot and their families. Heb_1:1-3.
Johann.
Reread my post-and do look up the Scripture references.Are you suggesting His attributes are clearly seen having been made manifest? What are His attributes?
Thank you for this. Love
1 Kings 4:32: He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.
1 Kings 4:33: He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish.
1 Kings 4:34: Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.
Noticed the tree that is Lebanon, the hyssop that grows on the wall, and the beast, birds and creeping things and fish. But it wasn’t until reading it again this evening I noticed “songs” and “proverbs” mentioned. See these two natures in them also “songs” and “proverbs”. in how they are read or heard. (Imo) did Solomon know what he was speaking of concerning trees, Lebanon, beast, birds, creeping things, and fish? Or was he giving an animal kingdom pictorial?
You ask: "Then the question becomes, how can God hold us morally accountable for our sinful actions when He's the one who imprisoned us in "unfit minds" (verse 28)?The target audience of Romans is a group of Christian churches in Rome; some Jewish, some Gentile. The Gentile Christians look down on Jews as some weird ethnic group with strange traditions; the Jewish Christians look down on the Gentiles as johnny-come-lately-s who come from an idolatrous people who practice disgusting things and have no idea of what God wants from His people. The purpose of Romans 1:18 through 3:20 is to demonstrate the universal sinfulness of Humankind in order to destroy the pride that divides them and thus shape them into a single new identity as God's people. The verses in question belong to the section addressing Gentile pride. It's not about individuals. It's Humankind that has no excuse.
There. I've summarized all of Romans, its theme and purpose. The rest is just details.
Which is not to disagree with Victory's point regarding the imperfections of nature pointing away from a Divine Creator. This point is often used by atheists and agnostics to argue against the existence of God. Paul also seems to be saying in Romans 1:21-32 that Humankind's sinfulness (and in particular our sexual brokenness in verses 26-27) is God's ancestral punishment on us for our idolatry, for our forgetting Him. Then the question becomes, how can God hold us morally accountable for our sinful actions when He's the one who imprisoned us in "unfit minds" (verse 28)?
And yet it says we are without excuse.
The invisible things of him (ta aorata autou). Another verbal adjective (a privative and horaō, to see), old word, either unseen or invisible as here and elsewhere in N.T. (Col_1:15., etc.). The attributes of God’s nature defined here as “his everlasting power and divinity” (hē te aidios autou dunamis kai theiotēs).Are you suggesting His attributes are clearly seen having been made manifest? What are His attributes?
That is a helpful. Thank you. I don’t know how to quite say what I mean. I wasn’t meaning draw attention away from Romans by Solomon teachings of as you brought up earthly things. What are the songs and proverbs? Are they parables? Are the songs and proverbs earthly things or spiritual things? Get (I think if I understand you correctly) people came to hear Solomons wisdom of earthly things. Then with Christ also people came to hear the Wisdom of Christ pertaining to Heavenly things. Telling them not of earthly things but of Spiritual things. Jesus also spoke in parables of earthly things speaking of soil and seed, stones and fowls and catching away what was sown…natural birth and Spiritual birth. I guess what I am asking is does Solomon penning songs and proverbs only speak of earthly things? As does his wisdom of trees…botany…animals and creeping things?How do I answer this without taking the conversation far from your original questions about that letter to the Romans? Yes, Solomon was gifted with rare intelligence. The text says- God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore. Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt. He was wiser than any man, including Ethan the Ezrahite or Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. He was famous in all the neighboring nations. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. He produced manuals on botany, describing every kind of plant, from the cedars of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows on walls. He also produced manuals on biology, describing animals, birds, insects, and fish. People from all nations came to hear Solomon’s display of wisdom; they came from all the kings of the earth who heard about his wisdom.
All of this speaks of God-given earthly wisdom. If we were to go back and consider what I said earlier regarding the distinction between earthly and heavenly things, the principle holds true in that if something is true above, (spiritually) it is also true below (physically) in some manner, remembering that things below are but a likeness, of those things above.
In spirit--in the heavenly, or divine sense, God gives Solomon great wisdom. That translates to great knowledge below-- this earthly wisdom I'm referencing- as recorded in scripture. But as far as a relationship with God goes? Scripture says that God appeared to him on only two occasions. Once, we are told conclusively- was in a dream, which is another way of saying in spirit-- because God is spirit and the only way He is 'seen' is if He lifts you up in spirit and in this way you 'see' what is invisible. (What Paul calls God's invisible attributes)
But yes-- Solomon was smart. Intellectually gifted. That didn't make him 'without excuse' when it comes to spiritual matters, which is what Paul is referencing.... He should have known. He was shown.... but in this area- he didn't do the math. We read---
The LORD was angry with Solomon because he had shifted his allegiance away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him on two occasions and had warned him about this very thing, so that he would not follow other gods.
The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for it had the most prominent of the high places. Solomon would offer up 1,000 burnt sacrifices on the altar there. One night in Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream.
Solomon then woke up and realized it was a dream.
The other occasion where God appeared to Solomon doesn't mention specifically that it was in a dream. It doesn't need to. We know it was also in a dream, because we know that dreams (in spirit) are the only places where God is going to be speaking directly to you. It's how God communicates with his prophets-- through messengers (angels) in spirit to and through spirit. It says that God appeared to him 'the same way' he had appeared to him before. The text says--
After Solomon finished building the LORD’s temple, the royal palace, and all the other construction projects he had planned, the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, in the same way he had appeared to him at Gibeon.The LORD said to him, “I have answered your prayer and your request for help that you made to me. I have consecrated this temple you built by making it my permanent home; I will be constantly present there. You must serve me with integrity and sincerity, just as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. Then I will allow your dynasty to rule over Israel permanently, just as I promised your father David, ‘You will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
“But if you or your sons ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods, then I will remove Israel from the land I have given them, I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence, and Israel will be mocked and ridiculed among all the nations. This temple will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss out their scorn, saying, ‘Why did the LORD do this to this land and this temple?’ Others will then answer, ‘Because they abandoned the LORD their God, who led their ancestors out of Egypt. They embraced other gods whom they worshiped and served. That is why the LORD has brought all this disaster down on them.
Revisiting your question. Is it your question or did you mean overall that question is asked by people? In thinking about it: He is the one who imprisoned us in “unfit minds” …personally I don’t think he imprisoned us in unfit minds…instead the spirit of the world imprisoned us to it while He wants to free us from it. because of they exchanged His attributes to me says they imprisoned themselves or we imprisoned ourselves to the unfit mind. He instead wants us to be let out of the imprisoned mind , His giving not the spirit of fear unto bondage that the world gives, but the Spirit He gives is of power, of love and of a sound mind. Giving them over to the depraved mind to me is Gods desire to free them from imprisonment by giving them up and over to the desires of the “unfit mind” that they may be taught and learn it fails.. Then the question becomes, how can God hold us morally accountable for our sinful actions when He's the one who imprisoned us in "unfit minds" (verse 28)?
Exchanging His attributes (that which is sound) for something else (unfit)?And yet it says we are without excuse.
That is a helpful. Thank you. I don’t know how to quite say what I mean. I wasn’t meaning draw attention away from Romans by Solomon teachings of as you brought up earthly things. What are the songs and proverbs? Are they parables? Are the songs and proverbs earthly things or spiritual things? Get (I think if I understand you correctly) people came to hear Solomons wisdom of earthly things. Then with Christ also people came to hear the Wisdom of Christ pertaining to Heavenly things. Telling them not of earthly things but of Spiritual things. Jesus also spoke in parables of earthly things speaking of soil and seed, stones and fowls and catching away what was sown…natural birth and Spiritual birth. I guess what I am asking is does Solomon penning songs and proverbs only speak of earthly things? As does his wisdom of trees…botany…animals and creeping things?
song lyrics = "aliens exist as a endless consciousness"Have you ever heard this spiritual song? Oh sure.... he calls them "aliens" and I know them as "Watchers" but-- same same.
There is a plain (silly) understanding.... and then there is spiritual truth. Does it speak to you from inside? Or do you get stuck on the silly part-- seeing but not perceiving, hearing but not understanding?
song lyrics = "aliens exist as a endless consciousness"
i hope you are not 'in tune' with this...........