The Common Knowledge of God

Introduction

Text begins with a parallel with verses 16-17. The wrath of God is revealed along with the mercy of God, just as his righteousness is revealed by the Gospel. in this we see that there are three different ways that God currently reveals himself in this age and in this world.

First, He reveals himself in creation, leaving all people enough knowledge of him to know that he exists and ought to be worshiped.

Second, he is revealed in wrath against those who ought to know to worship him and yet suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

Last there is the revelation of God’s mercy which Paul has already shown us in verses 16-17.

God Revealed in Creation

We will begin in verses 19-20 and return to verse 18 in a bit. Verse 18 tells us the wrath of God is revealed, but verses 19-20 tell us why it is revealed. God wrath only reveals itself where people have already seen the revelation of God and have rejected it.

“What can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown them.”

To Paul, there are no people who do not know God, only rebellious hearts that refuse to see what is clearly there.

Can God does not expect theological perfection from these sinners, but he does reveal enough about himself to them so that they should know to worship him for who he is.

Plain it is obvious to them. It is not subtle, but rather in the forefront and unmistakable in creation. Here God shows us power, detail, beauty, fury, peace, love, joy, and life all which unmistakably reveal two things:

There is an almighty, transcendent God who creates, orders, and destines all things.

Therefore, this God ought to be worshiped, loved, and obeyed.

Shown it to them this is developed in verse 20.

Attributes are divine and not a part of nature.

Nevertheless, his eternal power and divine nature are adequetly expressed in creation.

God Revealed in Judgement

Because of the revelation of God’s attributes in nature, which is enough to merit the worship of God, all men are left without excuse for not worshiping him.

How is this wrath revealed?

From heaven, that is, from the Throne of God. God has revealed his own wrath.

Against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. It is revealed to counter the wickedness of sinners.

God’s revelation encountered in faith shows the righteousness of God, God’s revelation encountered without faith reveals a wrathful God.

The wrath of God is revealed in the very acts themselves, God giving people over to their sins (which we will look into more next week.)

The wrath of God is revealed universally, partially in a fallen world and fully in the final judgement.

So they are without excuse. The reason that God’s wrath is so universally revealed is that God has been universally revealed in his true, worthy glory so that no one has a valid excuse not to worship God.

Human ignorance rejects the revelations of God, both in nature and in his wrath. Although they have no excuse, humanity without exception will reject God and incur in wrath, leading to further sin and condemnation.

God Revealed in Mercy

Not in our text, but verses 16-17

God’s merciful character is revealed in nature, but this is not enough to save. What those who are under God’s wrath, having rejected his revelations, to be saved in something that is a new revelation of God. They need God to reveal himself in such power that those who are called according to God’s election will see through eyes of faith the power and righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith.

Unbelievers are unable to see the power of God in this way. Without their hearts being enlightened, they turn away from this gift of free grace, not seeing its precious worth, and instead worship created things rather than their creator.

Conclusion

The gracious, universal revelation of God.

The depth of man’s depravity and the wrath that comes as a result.

The solution to human ungodliness and unrighteousness: the power of God in the Gospel. This is why Paul is so eager to preach it to gentiles.

Grappling with the unbelief of our hearts as the source of all sin and the promise of freedom in the righteousness of God through faith alone.