THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH, Dr. Samuel Lee
GLORIFY GOD AND GIVE HIM THANKS
Passage: Romans 1:18~25  
Key verse: 21
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God(A) is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.(B) 20 For 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,(C) so that people are without excuse.(D)
21 For 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.(E) 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools(F) 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images(G) made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over(H) in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.(I) 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,(J) and worshiped and served created things(K) rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.(L) Amen.(M)
Cross references
- Romans 1:18 : Jn 3:36; Ro 5:9; Eph 5:6; Col 3:6; 1Th 1:10; Rev 19:15
- Romans 1:19 : Ac 14:17
- Romans 1:20 : Ps 19:1-6
- Romans 1:20 : Ro 2:1
- Romans 1:21 : Ge 8:21; Jer 2:5; 17:9; Eph 4:17, 18
- Romans 1:22 : 1Co 1:20, 27; 3:18, 19
- Romans 1:23 : Dt 4:16, 17; Ps 106:20; Jer 2:11; Ac 17:29
- Romans 1:24 : ver 26, 28; Ps 81:12; Eph 4:19
- Romans 1:24 : 1Pe 4:3
- Romans 1:25 : Isa 44:20
- Romans 1:25 : Jer 10:14; 13:25; 16:19, 20
- Romans 1:25 : Ro 9:5; 2Co 11:31
- Romans 1:25 : S Ro 11:36
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. God's wrath revealed (18)
God loves the world. He is angry when he is ignored. God reveals his wrath by removing his hand of care and restraint (24,26,28) for a time, so that mankind might suffer in slavery to sin and repent.
2. Suppression of truth (19-20a)
God is our Creator and Sovereign Ruler. All truth begins here. When men deny God, ignore his laws and live according to their sinful natures, they suppress the truth. When we obey God as our Creator and Lord, we have truth in our hearts.
3. They are without excuse (20b-25)
God revealed himself in the creation. He made a beautiful world and provided everything mankind needed to be happy. Pride and ingratitude are the roots of sin. When we are not thankful, we become critical. When we do not honor God as God, pride becomes our master. When creation order is broken, men make foolish exchanges. (23,25,26) When we exchange truth for a lie, we suffer the consequences of a futile mind, darkened hearts and a defiled body.
Prayer: Lord, give me a thankful and humble heart every day.
One Word: Thank God and honor him as God