We’ve been looking at the last half of Romans chapter one this week (Romans 1:18-32). It’s kind of a lot. I know my fellow Echo staffers have done a great job presenting a more comprehensive summary, so I’m going to mainly hover over the first portion.
Verse 18 begins with the word “for,” which links it to the previous statement. Well, I’m going to back up a bit further to verse 15. Let’s look at the progression Paul gives us remembering that these are all connected to Paul’s value of the gospel of God.
- Verse 15 – Paul is eager to preach the gospel in Rome.
- Verse 16 – Paul is not ashamed of the gospel… FOR it is the power of God for salvation to those who believe.
- Verse 17 – FOR in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed.
- Verse 18 – FOR the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
- Verse 19 – FOR what can be known about God is plain.
- Verse 20 – FOR His invisible attributes are made known in creation, so they are without excuse.
- Verse 21 – FOR although they knew God, they didn’t honor Him as God or give thanks to Him but became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
These “FOR truths” contribute to Paul’s eagerness and unashamedness. When we understand the full scope of man’s depravity without God, the importance of God’s gospel grows.