18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.(NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. God’s judgment is falling - even now - upon all humanity, because people have refused to think about Him or honor Him with their minds and actions (v.18).
Discussion Question 1: Do you think that the reality of the wrath of God is given much attention today? Why or why not?
2.We cannot say that we have never heard of God, and therefore do not deserve his judgment, because God has made Himself known to us through all He has created.
(vv. 19-20)
Discussion Question 2A: How does creation display God? Give some examples, especially of those you have seen firsthand.
Discussion Question 2B: How might you respond to someone who says, “Why is it necessary for you to conclude that all the creation was the work of just ONE God? I’m quite happy to think that it could have been the work of many gods.”
3. The essence of sin is failure to give glory to God and to give thanks to Him. Far from being found only in our actions, sin begins in our minds and hearts. (v.22)
Discussion 3A: What does it mean to give glory to God? Why does God desire this?
Discussion 3B: What notions of “sin” might we find in society and within the church? How does the Bible’s (including the Book of Romans’) teaching about sin compare and contrast with these?
4. Sin deceives us about ourselves, other people, and other things. We think we are wise and good, and we think that other people or creatures should be objects of our complete devotion and reverence. (vv. 22, 23, 25)
Discussion 4A: How do these characteristics of sin manifest themselves in us who live in North American culture today? (Think of subtle as well as obvious ways.)
Discussion 4B: If sin is truly the sad and terrible thing that it is, why can it often seem so innocuous?
5. God’s judgment is sometimes revealed by NOT punishing people, but allowing them to continue on in their sin. (v. 24)
Discussion 5: Why would this “inaction” of God’s actually be a form of His wrath?
Final Note: The wonderful truth of Romans 1:16-17 (discussed last week) can only be fully appreciated in light of the hard realities that begin with 1:18 and end with 3:20. Therefore, it is greatly necessary that we “take a long tour” through these truths, uncomfortable though they are.
